The stepping stones to Formula 1 require experience in various categories. For this, a driver starts his journey at a go-track in his/her formative years. Only by honing your skills in these junior categories can you reach the premier motorsport competition. The career trajectory of 7-time World Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton was no different.

The roots of the F1 superstar originate from a go-kart track. One has to stand out from the competition to be noticed in this dog-eat-dog world.

In an interview with Gayle King, the Mercedes driver talked about his most special Christmas present. This special gift eventually set him up for the success he has achieved today.

Hamilton said, “He bought me um for Christmas I remember, I’ve not really ever spoken about it but I remember I used to wake up and spend Christmas day with my mum and then go to my dad’s in the afternoon and when I went to my dad’s I had asked for a go-kart.”

“….I walked and I got to the house… and I looked through the letter box and I could see all the way down the hallway to the dining room table and there was this massive present on it and I kind of knew that might be it was yeah.”

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The Brit chuckled and added,

“But it was really great because my stepmom she did the sewing for my suit and I had this helmet and my dad just put so much pride into making this car look brand new it was it was fifth hand car yeah and arrived at the first practice. Um, I always based my life, my life is very much in parallel with cool runnings.”

He concluded by saying, “I think yes that’s that’s my favorite Jamaican box yeah, that’s like my, If I’m having a bad day, I put cool runners on because it’s inspirational” 

The incredible journey of Lewis Hamilton

The British racing driver started his karting career in 1993. From the get-go, the raw pace and talent made him stand out from the competition. In 1995, he won the British cadet karting championship at the mere age of 10.

This is when the up-and-coming talent contacted the McLaren boss Ron Dennis. He told Dennis “Hi. I’m Lewis Hamilton. I won the British Championship and one day I want to be racing your cars.”

To which the McLaren team principal replied, “Phone me in nine years, we’ll sort something out then.” Hamilton continued on his journey and further won titles like the British championship and Super One series.

In 1998, the phone rang for the Brit with the McLaren boss on the line. He got admitted into the McLaren junior program with an option of a future Formula 1 seat. This made him the youngest driver to secure a potential F1 contract at the time.

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The rising star in the motorsport world continued to turn heads in Formula Renault and Formula 3. It earned him his place in Formula 2 in 2006 with the ART Grand Prix. He won the title in his debut season by beating Nelson Piquet Jr. and Timo Glock.

In 2007, the Brit lucked out with an empty seat at the McLaren F1 team. He paired up with the two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso and became the first black driver to race in Formula 1.