HILTON CHECKS IN AGAIN WITH VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES
The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend marks the beginning of
the intensive 20 week European leg of the 2008 Formula 1 World
Championship, which reaches a climax in Italy on Sunday 14th
September.
What do the next 140 days hold for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen? Well there will
be 128 working days across 11 countries, of which 84 the drivers
will be on the road with the team (it might however end up
being 83 or 85). The remaining 12 days are holiday during
the August break.
Yes, it really is that frenetic for everyone involved in
Formula 1, be they a driver, team member, journalist or supporter.
With this in mind, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is delighted
to announce an extension to its Partnership with Hilton Hotels,
the world’s best known hotel brand. This sees a continuation
of the successful Corporate Partnership that began at the
Belgian Grand Prix in 2005.
Shortly after the extension was finalised, we caught up with
Lewis to discuss how he handles the travelling demands of
his job.
Lewis, as we have explained above, your schedule
creates the need to a lot of travelling. How do you cope with
this?
“I’m very fortunate in that I have what I regard
to be the best job in the world, I get to race the Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car for a living! To do that takes
me round the world, yes there are a lot of journeys, a lot
of different Hilton hotels to stay in, I’m rarely in
one place for more than a week at a time, but I’m doing
my dream job and all this is an integral part of that. It
is important to be somewhere comfortable and familiar so you
just relax into it and it becomes a home away from home. There
is so much going on when you are at the track, it is crucial
when you go back to your hotel in the evening to have the
space and a good atmosphere to allow you to prepare both mentally
and physically for the race.”.
What do you do to relax when you are away from home?
“To relax I always have my music, it is an important
part of my life and really helps me to switch off. I couldn’t
name you any tune in particular, it depends on my mood, I
might put some Bob Marley on, some Jay-Z, Marvin Gaye, Michael
Jackson, 2Pac. When I get into my Hilton hotel room, the first
thing I do is switch my tunes on. We’re fortunate to
have Hilton as a Partner, and they are integral to the team.
They understand and support what works for us and make that
part of my live very easy We always make sure I am staying
somewhere that works, that is comfortable, has good proximity
to the circuit and so on.
Where are you staying this weekend?
“This weekend I am staying in the Hilton Diagonal Mar
Barcelona. It’s great for getting into the track, it’s
close to the sea, which is always very relaxing and helps
focus your mind. It has a very modern feel to it, it’s
my kind of style. When I checked in on Wednesday, a tiny Spanish
kid in our mini overalls came up to me and asked me for my
autograph, he was a pretty cool dude.”
Do you ever have the opportunity to sightsee when
you are away with the team? “Not really, we
are in these countries for a very concise amount of time around
the race. Some places like Montreal when you are based in
the city you get more of a feel for it. The flyaways at the
start of the season also give you an opportunity. For example
after the Australian race last year we had some time before
the next event at Malaysia and I spent this in the area beforehand.
Primarily it gives you time to acclimatise and train in the
area, so we are always still working, but also you can have
a bit of an explore. We started the break in Bangkok and I
stayed at the Millennium Hilton. It’s a beautiful hotel,
very stylish and welcoming. You have a great view of the city.
I really enjoyed my time there and would go back.”
The 20 weeks of the European season will see Lewis;
Race in Barcelona (Spain), Istanbul (Turkey), Monte Carlo
(Monaco), Montreal (Canada), the Loire Valley (France), Silverstone
(UK), Heidelberg (Germany), Budapest (Hungary), Valencia (Spain),
Spa (Belgium) and Monza (Italy). “If I had to pick a
favourite, I would say Monaco. I really enjoy street circuits.”
That’s 11 circuits over three continents. “In
addition to Monaco, this middle stretch of the season also
sees some of the best corners on the calendar such as turn
8 at Turkey and Eau Rouge at Spa.”
Three continents? Yes, Canada in North America and Istanbul
sits on the Europe-Asia border. The circuit is in Asia but
Lewis will be staying at the Conrad Istanbul which is in Europe.
“Fantastic race track, terrible journey across the Bosphorous.”
Go testing at six circuits across Europe. Paul Ricard (France),
Barcelona and Jerez (Spain), Silverstone (UK), Hockenheim
(Germany) and Monza (Italy). “Grands Prix are the only
part of the sport most people see, the testing is intensive
and tough, one of many vital parts of the team.”
Attend promotions in various locations around the world –
including the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward
to getting the chance to spend some time meeting my home fans
over the next few months.”
Stay in at least 24 hotels - there are more than 3000 Hilton
Hotels in the world - across the above locations. “After
all these years of travelling, I have perfected the art of
travelling light.”
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