Courtesy of success in Formula Three, Lewis Hamilton progresses to ASM’s ‘sister’ GP2 team in 2006, ART Grand Prix. Hamilton was used to dominating in Formula Three with ASM and his new team were also at the front of the pack. His new team were the reigning GP2 champions and had assisted future team-mate Nico Rosberg to the GP2 title.
Hamilton didn’t need any introducing, the Briton managed to win the GP2 championship in his maiden season, beating the likes of Timo Glock, Nelson Piquet Junior and current IndyCar driver Luca Filippi.
Hamilton took wins at tracks such as the Nurburgring, his win there being a dominant one. The three-time F1 World Champion had to serve a penalty for speeding in the pit-lane but still went on to win.
He also impressed the crowds at Silverstone after putting on a great racing performance, the young Briton overtook championship rivals through the Becketts complex, a set of corners where it is difficult to pass other drivers on.
His Turkish Grand Prix was one of his finest, at Istanbul Park Hamilton spun which put the youngster at the back of the field. Hamilton then recovered to second, this race was truly one of the very finest.
The now Mercedes driver won the GP2 title under weird or controversial circumstances. Hamilton gained an extra point when championship rival Giorgio Pantano had his fastest lap in Monza was taken away from him. This meant that Hamilton finished at the top of the standings.
At the end of 2006, Formula One Driver, and current Team Penske IndyCar driver, Juan Pablo Montoya left the McLaren team. Ron Dennis’ team also lost Kimi Raikkonen to the Ferrari team, this left two seats available for the team.
There was speculation as to who would take the open seats at McLaren, Spaniard Pedro de La Rosa was one of the favourites; along with Gary Paffett. It was later announced that one of the seats was awarded to Reigning back-to-back World Champion Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard left the Renault team hoping that he would dominate again with McLaren.
Hamilton was later announced as McLaren’s second driver for the 2007 campaign, he was privately told of the deal on the 30th of September. The public wasn’t alerted until the 24th of November.
Sadly for Hamilton, the news of his introduction to Formula One was overshadowed by the retirement of seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher.
