I can pass as a half-Indian, says Lewis Hamilton

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Call him the “bad boy” of Formula One, or an impulsive driver who ends up inviting trouble, almost at all times.

There is never a dull moment when British racing ace Lewis Hamilton is around. At 26, Hamilton has seen it all — a blooming career, crowned the youngest world champion at 23, a sudden dip, followed by a spate of controversies and clashes.

The British F1 ace is happy to be in India, a country that he feels “welcomes him with open arms”. A look at Hamilton’s life beyond the pit lanes and racing tracks:

Early days: I come from a very small town named Stevenage in the UK. We had no money, and I used to work alongside my school and early racing days. Things became better as I took a step higher and higher.

Tell us a secret about yourself: I am a good actor!

Most memorable experience:I was nine-year old then. My father (Anthony Hamilton) pointed towards a gentleman and said that is Ron Dennis from McLaren.

I walked straight up to the guy and handed him a pen and a paper.

I asked for his autograph, phone number, address and whatever else you could think of! I don’t remember the exact words that I spoke, but it was about my dream of driving for McLaren one day.

Sport played/followed other than Formula 1: I was into football, and was also a part of a cricket team. If not for F1, I would have been either a footballer or a cricketer.

On London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games: It would be a massive event and something that all of us are looking ahead at.

On life beyond the circuit: I do normal things as everyone else, whenever I get a break.

I walk across to the grocery shop next door, choose my stuff, and then spend time in the kitchen, fixing my meal. It is an everyday life, and I like it that way.

On the difference between competing with his McLaren teammate Jenson Button and other drivers: The competition is intense. Of course, we want maximum points for the team, but we also look to strive individually. May be, if I see a Ferrari or a Red Bull, I go much harder after it than Button!

On his relationship with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa (the duo have been involved in two clashes this season, with Massa commenting that Hamilton “is incapable of using his brains”): I don’t have anything against Massa.

We have had some great battles in 2008, and it is unfortunate that the recent ones haven’t been the same. We have just been too close! (grins) I hope in future we would see a better show on the track.

Most emotional moment: It was when I got an opportunity to drive Ayrton Senna’s car. I touched the seat belt, the gears, steering. I had shed some tears when he had died, and this was the closest I could get to him.

On his Indian experience: The number of times I have been here, I think I can pass as a half-Indian! I love the spicy Indian food.

Each of my five visits here have been memorable, but what I experienced in Bengaluru was simply amazing. I was shocked and amazed. In a country that lives on cricket, 25,000 people coming to see you drive was an incredible high.

On Indian tuk-tuks: We tried our hands at the tuk-tuk during our first day at the circuit, and Jen-son managed to overtake me (driving a McLa-ren), and that says it all!