First Black F1 Driver...

[Trigger]

Englishman Lewis Hamilton will drive for McLaren in Formula One next season.

The 21-year-old, the reigning champion of the GP2 feeder series, will be the first black driver to race in F1.

Hamilton, who has been in McLaren's young driver programme since 1998, said getting a drive with the team was "a dream come true".

He faces the daunting prospect of partnering world champion Fernando Alonso, who will be making his McLaren debut after moving from Renault.

Hamilton will join the McLaren team next week as they prepare for the 2007 season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

"To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ulimate goal for me since I was very young," Hamilton said in a team statement.

"This opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me.

"I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know there will be a lot of attention on me," he added.

Hamilton, who joined the McLaren development programme at the age of 13, won the British Formula Renault title in 2003 and the Formula 3 Euroseries in 2005.

Step aside Mr Button...

Mind you, F1 is a bit isn't it?...

 

[desprateseagull]

why is this even news?

 

[B.M.F]

He had a fantastic season in GP2 and has been right up there in testing so it is no surprise Ron Dennis has given him a drive next year. A very young and talented team and should do well if the engines are more reliable.

Good luck LH

 

[Barrel of Fun]

why is this even news?

Because they publish who is picked for which team before the season starts?

 

[Icy Gull]

That is excellent news, been watching him and listening to him being interviewed quite a lot this season as he was often featured on the GP programmes. An English competitor for Button has to be good news for all English F1 fans, we really are quite shite in a sport we used to dominate

Come on Dennis give MB a kick up the arse to sort their unreliable wank engines out and we could have a great season for the Brits.

 

[Zesh Rehman]

well done Lewis

 

[DJ Leon]

why is this even news?

Joke?

 

[Cian]

I was sure there'd been one or more in the 1980s?

Theres been a number of women in F1 before so thats been done.

 

[Zesh Rehman]

I was sure there'd been one or more in the 1980s?

Theres been a number of women in F1 before so thats been done.

yes there have been a few half caste drivers and women as you say. but the women were all crap and finished 4 laps behind everyone else

 

[johnny jigsaw]

At the risk of being controversial, I thought the first black F1 driver was Nikki Lauda in 1976.

 

[Cian]

The total points scored for all women drivers - 0.5

Lella Lombardi, 6th place in a GP that was stopped half-way in the era of half-points.

 

[Zesh Rehman]

At the risk of being controversial, I thought the first black F1 driver was Nikki Lauda in 1976.

no

i shouldnt have laughed

 

[Zesh Rehman]

The total points scored for all women drivers - 0.5

Lella Lombardi, 6th place in a GP that was stopped half-way in the era of half-points.

that just sums it up i think.

 

[tedebear]

Fantastic result for him, hope he has a good season, lucky so and so - I'd love to have his job!!

 

[JJ McClure]

Excellent news. De La Rossa did nothing after taking over from Montoya to prove he was worth the drive.

 

[Icy Gull]

yes there have been a few half caste drivers and women as you say. but the women were all crap and finished 4 laps behind everyone else

There was an Indian who drove for Arrows (?) a couple of years back and got on the podium or just missed out in the farce in the USA where only 6 or so cars competed due to tyre dangers. So they weren't all totally crap

 

[The Wookiee]

why is this even news?

Perhaps he was trying to nick the car stereo

 

[Cian]

There was an Indian who drove for Arrows (?) a couple of years back and got on the podium or just missed out in the farce in the USA where only 6 or so cars competed due to tyre dangers. So they weren't all totally crap

Karthekean - didn't think he drove for Arrows, and they weren't arround for indygate.

checked the name, Narain Karthikeyan, finished 4th for Fake Jordan in that Indy incident. Jordan of 2005 being nothing other than a sham shell over Midland F1.

 

[Icy Gull]

Karthekean - didn't think he drove for Arrows, and they weren't arround for indygate.

checked the name, Narain Karthikeyan, finished 4th for Fake Jordan in that Indy incident. Jordan of 2005 being nothing other than a sham shell over Midland F1.

Quite right, I checked..it was an equally shit IRISH team - Jordan Toyota

 

[B.M.F]

Karthekean - didn't think he drove for Arrows, and they weren't arround for indygate.

checked the name, Narain Karthikeyan, finished 4th for Fake Jordan in that Indy incident. Jordan of 2005 being nothing other than a sham shell over Midland F1.

I believe he is currently a test driver for Williams for the new season.