This past weekend was filled with exciting sports events.  The Williams’ sisters (Venus and Serena) dominated Wimbledon by winning doubles and older sister Venus defeated Serena in the Finals.  Arena Football playoffs are in full till and Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in dramatic fashion – an instant classic.  Alex Rodriguez and Madonna alleged relationship is not a sports story.  Lewis Hamilton, a Formula One driver who won the Foster’s British Grand Prix in Silverstone this past weekend did not make major headlines but is making a name for himself in his sport.

Hamilton is a 23-year old black British male and considered to become F1’s first $100 million man.  Around this time last season in Hamilton’s rookie year, he became the first black to win a Grand Prix.  Born and raised in Hertfordshire, England, Hamilton is a household name and an inspiration to many across the UK.  In 2007, Hamilton had 17 starts, finishing in the top 10 sixteen times and fourteen times in the top 5 with 4 victories.  Niki Lauda, the former three-time world champion said of Hamilton,” He is the best rookie ever in F1.”  Hamilton was close in winning the championship last season with a 12-point lead with 2 races left, but squandered it.

           
   This season, it is different for Hamilton who is performing like a seasoned veteran.  Last week’s victory at Silverstone in wet racing conditions was Hamilton’s third win of the season.  In the last 9 races this season, Hamilton has finished in the top 10 seven times and six times in the top 5.  Hamilton has 48 points, tied with Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen – great drivers, but leads the championship chase based on his better finishes in other races.  To earn points in F1, a driver must finish in the top 8 spots.  First place is 10 points, second 8 points, third 6 points, fourth 5 points, fifth 4 points, sixth 3 points, seventh 2 points and eighth 1 point.  After not receiving points in the previous two races at Canada and France, a victory in front of the home crowd was huge.  “ I’ve got to admit, I was nervous!  In front of my home crowd, I didn’t want to mess this up for everyone.  It is by far the best victory I’ve ever had,” Hamilton said after waving to the 90,000 fans who gave him a standing ovation.

           
   This hip-hop loving, F1 racing phenom is being embraced as a great driver already.  Sponsorship expert Tim Crow said,” Every so often someone comes along who transcends their sport - a George Best, Muhammad Ali or Tiger Woods – and Lewis could be another.  Frank Williams, a grandee among the British motor racing aristocracy, claimed the exploits of Hamilton are evidence of the existence of God.  “Lewis is clearly a very special driver.  We have never seen anything like this in F1 before,” Williams said.  “It’s almost inexplicable.”

          
     Hamilton does not only have tunnel vision on the track, but for the season.  After nearly winning the title last season, Hamilton is saying little about his chances this year.  “It’s a work in progress.  We’re (his team Vonafone McLaren Mercedes) doing a good job and I just want to keep on building on it.  I would have been happy with a point,” said Hamilton.  There was no time for Hamilton to reflect on the victory at Silverstone because he flew to Germany on Monday and tested his car yesterday and Tuesday at Hockenheim.  “Maybe there will be a bit of time to relax later in the summer and take a holiday,” Hamilton said.  “But not yet.”

Written By Barry Barnes