CONGRATULATIONS LEWIS
McLaren and Mercedes-Benz backed driver Lewis Hamilton has
claimed the 2006 GP2 Championship at the Monza circuit in
Italy after a series of impressive performances. 21-year-old
Lewis has been backed by McLaren and Mercedes-Benz since 1998
as part of the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support
Programme, which was set-up to provide a structured environment
for nurturing and developing future driver talent.
RON DENNIS, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, McLAREN GROUP
“We are delighted for Lewis and his latest success in
winning the 2006 GP2 Series at Monza. The manner of his many
outstanding performances this year, such as those at Silverstone
and Turkey, has been phenomenal and he is a deserving Champion.
McLaren and Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing involvement in Lewis’
career began in 1998 and he is getting better every day, a
trend that has been constant during the past nine years. Lewis
has an exceptional talent, which has been demonstrated this
year, and his overall performance during the season gives
you a definite sense of pride and satisfaction. Lewis will
now focus on this morning's race to end the season on a real
high and in due course the team's and Lewis’s plans
for 2007 will be announced.”
NORBERT HAUG, VICE PRESIDENT, MERCEDES-BENZ MOTORSPORT
"This is the greatest day in Lewis´s career so
far and after Formula Renault and the Formula 3 Euro Series
the third important Championship he has won in the last four
years at the age of 21. We have known Lewis since he was a
little boy and Ron had the idea that both McLaren and Mercedes
should support his racing programme starting with karting
nine years ago. Since then Lewis has become a real part of
the family and during his GP 2 races this year you could have
heard a pin drop when team members watched television in the
Team Communications Centre on Saturday afternoons and Sunday
mornings. Congratulations on winning the GP 2 Championship
this year, Lewis, now together let's see what the future brings."
Lewis Hamilton has been involved with the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz
Young Driver Support Programme since its inception in 1998.
He moved through the ranks of karting winning various Championships
including the 'McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future' karting
series in 1998. Lewis dominated the 2003 British Formula Renault
Championship winning 10 out of the Championship's 15 races.
In 2004 Lewis competed in the prominent Formula 3 Euro series
with Manor Motorsport. His car was powered by Mercedes-Benz
engines. In 2005, Lewis dominated the F3 Euro Series Championship,
in a car powered by Mercedes-Benz. Lewis was crowned champion
in August with four rounds of the series still to be contested.
Following 14 rounds of the 18 round series Lewis was unbeatable
with a 49 point lead over his closest rival. In total he won
15 races that year. In 2006 Lewis won the GP2 Series Championship
with the ART team.
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