Hamilton: Recent trials have only made me stronger

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5341700,00.html

Hamilton: Recent trials have only made me stronger

Friday 22nd May 2009

Lewis Hamilton feels the last few turbulent weeks have taught him more about life and himself, enabling him to grow as a person and a driver.


Since the Liargate scandal erupted following an Australian Grand Prix from which he was disqualified, the world champion has been a distant, troubled figure.


With the exception of calling a press conference to offer up humble apologies for the error of his ways in Australia and Malaysia, the 24-year-old has shunned the media spotlight.


On the occasions he has been forced to step back into it, Hamilton has been stern, terse, off-hand, doing more harm than good with his clipped comments.


But on a day when he rekindled his love affair with Formula One, and the sparkle was back in his eyes, Hamilton was his usual charming self - a charm offensive you could say.


Having had the time to reflect, Hamilton believes he has learned from all that has unfolded, and that he can now move forward.


"With all the experiences I've had, I'm not a politician, I'm not perfect, and I'll say things wrong every now and again; I'm sure everyone does," remarked Hamilton.


"But you try to learn from those experiences and carry them with you and try to grow.


"It's not that I felt the need to distance myself. It was more about taking some time to think on things, analyse and understand exactly what's gone wrong and to grow from it.


"You can't just get on with things, you have to be able to analyse it so you don't make the same mistake again and move on.


"I've a World Championship which I'm still very, very proud of, and I'm trying to build on those bricks and improve."


Hamilton maintains deep down he is still a normal guy, that despite his multi-million-pound-per-year salary and the glamorous pop star girlfriend, he is not the superstar the outside world perceive him to be.


"From the way people make sport and us drivers look, whilst we look like superstars, we live pretty normal lives," insisted Hamilton.


"Every now and again being able to go on a more extravagant holiday is better, but in general life is the same as yours (referring to the British media he was speaking to).


"If anything your apartment may be bigger than mine. I've a nice, neat place, nothing special, nothing spectacular.


"Generally, away from everything I live a normal life in Geneva. I am a normal person, a human being.


"People look at me, look at superstars and expect so much of them, to be super-heroes or something, and yet we're normal people.


"I have made that mistake in the past with people in hierarchy, yet they are humans at the end of the day."


At the heart of his re-enlightenment has been father Anthony, often perceived as being too close to his son given he also serves as his manager.


Hamilton is adamant such an observation could not be further from the truth, adding: "Me and my dad have a fantastic relationship and what has happened has not affected it in any way at all.


"If anything it's strengthened it. We've grown closer through the experience.


"My dad has excelled in being able to speak to me, to calm me. The communication has improved.


"Without my dad, I wouldn't be here (in F1). He's the one with the backbone, the one who has given me that support.


"He's never ever failed; he's been to every single race throughout my whole career.


"I've done a lot of races since I was eight and he's always backed me up, always supported me, whether right or wrong.


"He's helped me get around it and away from it. He's a huge, key part of my life."


Another reason the smile has returned to Hamilton's face is the fact he is back on his favourite circuit where he won last year.


"I love driving this circuit, it's a spectacular thing," beamed Hamilton.


"You can never compare it to any other circuit you go to, or any other experience.


"It really is such a huge buzz, it feels amazing, and it reminds me of just how much I love racing, love driving and why I love Formula One.


"It's real driving, kind of back-to-your roots street racing. It's fantastic."