Lewis Hamilton reaches out for F1 history in third race

By Claas Hennig Apr 11, 2007, 17:29 GMT

British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes leaves the pit stop during the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday 08 April 2007. EPA/GERO BRELOER

Manama, Bahrain - Lewis Hamilton aims for Formula One history in his third career race on Sunday in Bahrain.

The British shooting star came third at the season-opening race in Australia, second last Sunday in Malaysia and will be the first F1 novice to make the podium in all of his his first three races if he finishes in the top-three again in Sachir.

It is not even ruled out that the rookie will get his first career win in a McLaren-Mercedes.

'Bahrain is the first track I have racing experience with, having tested on it in the MP4-22 in February and raced on the circuit in an F3 car in 2004. I really enjoyed racing there,' he said on Wednesday.

Hamilton won that F3 race last year and according to the last British Formula One champion, Damon Hill, Hamilton has the talent to make the final step on the winners podium - on Sunday or later.

'Somewhere between now and the end of the season, that's going to happen and then he?ll grow in stature and start to see himself differently, and we?ll all start to see him as a championship contender,' Hill told Wednesday's edition of British daily The Times.

'I think it's real ? I think Lewis is probably the closest we've got to a guy who can dominate and be at the top for a long time.'

'This guy has been on four wheels since he was five years old. It doesn't matter whether it's a GP2 car, a go-kart or a flippin' Morris 1000 ? it's as if it's part of his body. An F1 car is just a bit bigger and a bit faster and he?s not intimidated, is he?'

Hill warned that the results so far are 'an insurance policy' as hiccups must be expected in the season, a fact Hamilton is also aware of.

'To have started my debut season in Formula 1 with two podium positions is more than I could ever have expected ... However I am aware this is a dream start to the season in what is a difficult sport. Bahrain, like Malaysia, will be another demanding race and I will have new experiences and challenges,' he said.

For Hamilton's father Anthony, the situation is almost overwhelming.

'I am frightened what's going to happen next, it's crazy,' he said after Sunday's race.

The Malaysian race was in fact a dream for the whole McLaren team as world champion Fernando Alonso got his first win since a winter move from Renault, with Hamilton completing the one-two finish for the Anglo-German outfit which last won the world title in 1999 from Mika Hakkinen.

McLaren had expected to trail Ferrari in the opening races, but are now delighted with the drivers lead from Alonso and the constructors top spot.

'The results for the McLaren Mercedes team over the first two races have been strong, and to be leading both championships is fantastic for everyone involved. However we are not having any thoughts of complacency,' said team CEO Martion Whitmarsh.

'We have another 15 races to compete in and there is a lot of work to do to maintain, and more importantly push forward with, the current performance levels. We need to take the momentum from the races so far and take the battle to the rest of the grid.' dpa jb