Lewis Hamilton: F1 driver profile

By Tom Cary, F1 Correspondent Published: 2:07PM GMT 08 March 2010

Previous of Images Next Behind the iron curtain: Lewis Hamilton will try to wring the F1 universe pretension from his McLaren team-mate, Jenson Button Photo: GETTY IMAGES At the wheel: Lewis Hamilton tests his McLaren forward of the 2010 Formula One deteriorate Photo: REUTERS

Formula One has never seen anything similar to Lewis Hamilton, who was declared after an additional speed merchant, the good American competitor Carl Lewis.

Raised on a legislature estate in Stevenage, Hamilton has been violation down barriers his total life. A remote tranquil karting prodigy, he eliminated his skills seamlessly to the lane and at the age of 10 he famously approached McLaren group principal Ron Dennis at an awards rite to deliver himself.

McLaren group guide Jenson Button form Kevin Garside: Hamilton right to fly the nest Lewis Hamilton off to a navigator Jenson Button: F1 2009 motorist form Fernando Alonso: F1 2009 motorist form Lewis Hamilton: F1 2009 motorist form Williams keep Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima for 2009 Formula One deteriorate Lewis Hamilton sloping to surpass in the soppy as F1 deteriorate reaches consummate

Three years after Dennis had sealed him up and Hamilton has been married to McLaren ever since. GP2 hold up in his lass season, Hamilton done the step up to F1 in 2007 to one side McLarens new signing, stand in universe hold up Fernando Alonso. He was rught away on the pace, environment a series of annals in his rookie year and clearly coasting to a fantastic universe championship with a 17-point lead and usually dual races remaining.

A early retirement in China and seventh place in Brazil meant he lost out by a singular point to Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton done no inapplicable designation the following season, though, this time claiming the pretension by a singular point from Ferraris Felipe Massa underneath the sleet at Interlagos to turn F1s youngest ever universe champion.

The 2009 deteriorate was a big being check for the Briton as McLaren constructed a bad car and afterwards became inextricable in the Liegate liaison that saw Hamilton trick competition stewards in Australia. Hamilton certified that he scarcely give up the competition in despair. However, he stormed behind to explain dual competition wins and finished the deteriorate the fastest man on the grid.

Telegraph verdict: Hamilton has schooled from 2009s high-profile mistakes and appears some-more relaxed, and some-more mature, than ever. He will have his work cut out violence Jenson Button, but something in his genetic make-up equates to that second is only not an option. If McLaren give him the car, he should be universe champion.

Lewis Hamilton facts

Website: www.lewishamilton.com Born: 07/01/1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK2010 car number: 2World championships: 1 (2008)Races: 52Wins: 11Podiums: 27Career points: 256Pole positions 17Fastest laps 3First competition 2007 Australian Grand Prix