Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton's F1 career has got off to a flying stert with nothing less than four race victories, six pole positions and 12 podium finishes were the headline statistics from a rookie season that shattered all previous benchmarks.

Hamilton came into Formula One with a lot to live up to after his record in the junior ranks but, whatever happens in what is likely to be a long future, like it or not his name will go down in history as the first black grand prix driver.

Hamilton began racing when he was just eight, but quickly established himself at the head of the pack, becoming the British Cadet Kart champion in 1995 and adding a number of other successes to his tally before moving into cars. He has been a protege of Ron Dennis' since approaching the McLaren team boss as an eleven-year old.

Dennis followed his progress and signed him to McLaren in 1995, with the team and Mercedes’ support helping him to progress through British Formula Renault and the Formula 3 Euroseries. His move to F1 has been well planned and executed since then.

2008 has already seen a race victory.