Editing Lewis Hamilton (section)

==Junior racing career==
===Karting===
Hamilton began [[karting]] in 1993 and quickly began winning races and cadet class championships.<ref name="BBC_07-06-19">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/6766373.stm|title=Hamilton's kart sells for £42,100|work=BBC News|date=19 June 2007|access-date=5 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422083337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/6766373.stm|archive-date=22 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Andrew|title=Lewis Hamilton's karting days have helped him become one of F1's best drivers|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/3281489/Lewis-Hamiltons-go-kart-career-helped-him-become-one-of-Formula-Ones-best-drivers-FORMULA-ONE.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=29 October 2008|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102073253/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/3281489/Lewis-Hamiltons-go-kart-career-helped-him-become-one-of-Formula-Ones-best-drivers-FORMULA-ONE.html|archive-date=2 November 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later, he became the youngest driver to win the British cadet karting championship at the age of ten. That year, Hamilton approached McLaren Formula One team boss [[Ron Dennis]] at the [[Autosport Awards]] for an autograph and said: "Hi. I'm Lewis Hamilton. I won the British Championship and one day I want to be racing your cars."<ref name=benson /> Dennis wrote in Hamilton's autograph book: "Phone me in nine years, we'll sort something out then."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article1942897.ece|date=17 June 2007|access-date=25 March 2011|first1=Jane|last1=Nottage|first2=Richard|last2=Rae|title=Teams target the next generation of stars|work=[[The Times]] |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204142837/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article1942897.ece|archive-date=4 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

When Hamilton was 12, [[Ladbrokes]] took a bet, at 40/1 odds, that Hamilton would win a Formula One race before the age of 23; another predicted, at 150/1 odds, that he would win the World Drivers' Championship before he was 25.<ref name="westcott20120709">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18769451 |title=The curious world of long-term bets |last=Westcott |first=Kathryn |date=9 July 2012 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002104649/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18769451 |archive-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=live|access-date=30 September 2014}}</ref> In 1998, Dennis called Hamilton following his second Super One series and British championship wins,<ref name=hamiltonf1fbio/> to offer Hamilton a role in the [[McLaren Young Driver Programme|McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme]].<ref name="Wolff">{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/racing/06/12/hamilton0618/index.html |title=Better Than Sex |last=Wolff |first=Alexander |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |date=12 June 2007 |access-date=21 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121143456/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/racing/06/12/hamilton0618/index.html |archive-date=21 January 2008 }}</ref> The contract included an option of a future Formula One seat, which would make Hamilton the youngest driver to secure a contract that later resulted in a Formula One drive.<ref name="BBC_07-06-19"/>
{{quote box|quote=He's a quality driver, very strong and only 16. If he keeps this up I'm sure he will reach F1. It's something special to see a kid of his age out on the circuit. He's clearly got the right racing mentality.|source=—[[Michael Schumacher]], speaking about Hamilton in 2001<ref>{{cite news|title=Schumacher Tips Hamilton for Future Glory|publisher=AtlasF1|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2001/oct/report.php/id/5969/.html|date=28 October 2001|access-date=5 July 2007|archive-date=24 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024041547/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2001/oct/report.php/id/5969/.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>|width=27%|align=right}}
<!--EDITORS: Please discuss on the talk page, and explain your reasoning BEFORE removing the above quote-->
Hamilton continued his progress in the [[Intercontinental A]] (1999), Formula A (2000) and Formula Super A (2001) ranks, and became European Champion in 2000 with maximum points. In [[KF1|Formula A]] and Formula Super A, racing for TeamMBM.com, his teammate was [[Nico Rosberg]], who would later drive for the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] and [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]] teams in Formula One; they would later team up again for Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. Following his karting successes, the [[British Racing Drivers' Club]] made him a "Rising Star" Member in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mclaren.com/drivers/lewis-hamilton |title=Lewis Hamilton Biography |publisher=Vodafone McLaren Mercedes official website |access-date=5 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313142434/http://mclaren.com/drivers/lewis-hamilton |archive-date=13 March 2010 }}</ref> In 2001, [[Michael Schumacher]] made a one-off return to karts and competed against Hamilton along with other future Formula One drivers [[Vitantonio Liuzzi]] and [[Nico Rosberg]]. Hamilton ended the final in seventh, four places behind Schumacher. Although the two saw little of each other on the track, Schumacher praised the young Briton.<ref name="hamiltonschumacherf1f">{{cite web|title=When Hamilton raced Schumacher|publisher=F1Fanatic.co.uk|year=2007|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/09/18/when-hamilton-raced-schumacher/|access-date=10 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011112609/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/09/18/when-hamilton-raced-schumacher/|archive-date=11 October 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Formula Renault and Formula Three===
Hamilton began his car racing career in the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth in the standings.<ref name="hamiltonf1fbio"/> This led to a full [[2002 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship|2002 Formula Renault UK]] campaign with [[Manor Motorsport]] in which he finished third overall, and fifth in the [[2002 Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup|Formula Renault Eurocup]] amidst only competing for four rounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Formula Renault 2.0 UK 2002 standings |url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-renault-20-eurocup/2002/|website=driverdb.com |publisher=Driver Database |access-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706182659/https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-renault-20-eurocup/2002/|archive-date=6 July 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> He remained with Manor for [[2003 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship|another year]] in Formula Renault UK, winning the championship in a dominant fashion ahead of [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]], as he registered 10 wins from 15 races.<ref>{{cite web |title=Formula Renault 2.0 UK 2003 standings |url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-renault-20-uk/2003/ |website=driverdb.com |publisher=Driver Database |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918222407/https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-renault-20-uk/2003/ |archive-date=18 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Having clinched the championship, Hamilton missed the last two races of the season to make his debut in the season finale of the [[British Formula 3 Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=British Formula 3 Championship 2003 standings |url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-3-britain/2003/ |website=driverdb.com |publisher=Driver Database |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223022300/https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-3-britain/2003/ |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In his first race he was forced out with a puncture,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=138456&FS=BF3|title=Brands Hatch round 23 race report|last=Thomas|first=Stella-Maria|author2=Waite, Lynne|date=10 October 2003|publisher=Motorsport.com|access-date=5 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014439/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=138456&FS=BF3|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and in the second he crashed out and was taken to hospital after a collision with teammate [[Tor Graves]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=138458&FS=BF3|title=Brands Hatch round 24 race report|last=Thomas|first=Stella-Maria|author2=Waite, Lynne|date=13 October 2003|publisher=Motorsport.com|access-date=5 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190701/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=138458&FS=BF3|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref>

Asked in 2002 about the prospect of becoming one of the youngest ever Formula One drivers, Hamilton replied that his goal was "not to be the youngest in Formula One" but rather "to be experienced and then show what I can do in Formula One".<ref name="CAR200207">{{cite magazine|title=The next big thing. The sky's the limit for British teenager Lewis Hamilton, whom McLaren is grooming for F1. And it's purely down to his talent|magazine=CAR Magazine|pages=146–149|date=July 2002}}</ref> He made his debut with Manor in the [[2004 Formula 3 Euro Series]], ending the year fifth in the championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Formula 3 Euro Series 2004 standings|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-3-euro-series/2004/|access-date=19 December 2018|website=driverdb.com|publisher=Driver Database|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200005/https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/formula-3-euro-series/2004/|archive-date=24 June 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> He also won the Bahrain F3 Superprix,<ref>{{cite news|title=1st Bahrain F3 Superprix 2004 Race|url=http://www.formula3.info/saison2004/bahrain/race2.htm|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710175034/http://www.formula3.info/saison2004/bahrain/race2.htm|archive-date=10 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and twice raced in the [[Macau Grand Prix|Macau F3 Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|date=16 November 2003|title=Hamilton misses podium|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/25310|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719130650/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/25310|archive-date=19 July 2018|access-date=1 December 2020|work=Autosport}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=21 November 2004|title=Macau: Bad day for the Brits|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/40892|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721173156/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/40892|archive-date=21 July 2018|access-date=20 July 2018|work=Autosport}}</ref> Williams had come close to signing Hamilton but did not as [[BMW in Formula One|BMW]], their engine supplier at the time, refused to fund him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=41844|title=Williams 'came close to Lewis deal'|date=2 March 2008|publisher=ITV-F1.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302135515/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=41844|archive-date=2 March 2008}}</ref> Hamilton eventually re-signed with McLaren. According to then McLaren executive and future CEO [[Martin Whitmarsh]], who was responsible for guiding Hamilton through the team's young driver programme, he and Anthony Hamilton had a "huge row" at the end of the season, with his father pushing for him to move up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh felt that he should remain in Formula 3 for a second season, culminating in Whitmarsh tearing up Hamilton's contract; however, Hamilton called Whitmarsh six weeks later and re-signed with the team.<ref name=benson />

Hamilton had his first Formula One test with McLaren in late 2004 at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/news/50828/1/new_mclaren_bad_news_for_wurz.html|title=New McLaren bad news for Wurz|publisher=crash.net|date=16 December 2004|access-date=17 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305085550/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/50828/1/new_mclaren_bad_news_for_wurz.html|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> He moved to the reigning Euro Series champions, ASM for the [[2005 Formula 3 Euro Series|2005]] season and dominated the championship, winning 15 of the 20 rounds and bragging 13 pole positions.<ref name=hamiltonf1fbio/> He also won the [[Masters of Formula 3|Marlboro Masters of Formula 3]] at [[Circuit Park Zandvoort|Zandvoort]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lewis Hamilton portrait |url=http://f3euroseries.com/news_newsausgabe.php?id=977 |publisher=[[Formula 3 Euro Series]] |date=28 August 2005 |access-date=17 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206015911/http://www.f3euroseries.com/news_newsausgabe.php?id=977 |archive-date=6 December 2010 }}</ref> Following his success, British magazine ''[[Autosport]]'' featured him in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue, ranking Hamilton at 24th.<ref name="hamiltonf1fbio"/>

===GP2===
Hamilton moved to ASM's sister GP2 team, [[ART Grand Prix]], for the [[2006 GP2 Series|2006 season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/formula1/driver/profile/0,20666,12479_2454888_809,00.html|title=Lewis Hamilton|work=[[Sky Sports]]|publisher=[[Sky (UK & Ireland)|Sky]]|date=10 February 2010|access-date=31 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904234425/http://www.skysports.com/formula1/driver/profile/0,20666,12479_2454888_809,00.html|archive-date=4 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hamilton won the GP2 championship at his first attempt, beating [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2006 GP2 SERIES - Standings |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/gp2/2006-gp2-series |website=motorsportmagazine.com |publisher=Motor Sport Magazine |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230906204803/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/championships/2006-gp2-series/ |archive-date=6 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> He secured a dominant win at the [[2006 European GP2 Series round|Nürburgring]], amidst a penalty for speeding in the [[pit lane]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nurburgring 2006: Hamilton beats penalty and rest |url=https://www.crash.net/gp2/race-report/67144/1/nurburgring-2006-hamilton-beats-penalty-and-rest |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=crash.net |agency=Crash |date=6 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707020655/https://www.crash.net/gp2/race-report/67144/1/nurburgring-2006-hamilton-beats-penalty-and-rest |archive-date=7 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> At his home race in [[2006 Silverstone GP2 Series round|Silverstone]], Hamilton overtook two rivals at Becketts, a series of high-speed corners where overtaking is considered to be rare.<ref>{{cite news |title=Silverstone: DAMS team race two report |url=https://www.motorsport.com/fia-f2/news/hamilton-unrivaled-in-silverstone-sprint-race/221089/?nrt=73 |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=motorsport.com |agency=Motorsport Network |date=14 June 2006 |archive-date=20 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220235109/https://www.motorsport.com/fia-f2/news/hamilton-unrivaled-in-silverstone-sprint-race/221089/?nrt=73 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In [[2006 Istanbul Park GP2 Series round|Istanbul]] he recovered from a spin that left him in 18th place to take second.<ref>{{cite news |title=Istanbul 2006: Zuber win overshadowed by Hamilton |url=https://www.crash.net/gp2/race-report/67521/1/istanbul-2006-zuber-win-overshadowed-by-hamilton |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=crash.net |agency=Crash |date=27 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230611/https://www.crash.net/gp2/race-report/67521/1/istanbul-2006-zuber-win-overshadowed-by-hamilton |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hamilton won the title in unusual circumstances, inheriting the final point he needed after [[Giorgio Pantano]] was stripped of fastest lap in the [[2006 Monza GP2 Series round|Monza]] feature race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gp2series.com/en/website/2008gp2series/insidegp2/about-gp2/GP2-history/ |title=GP2 Series&nbsp;– History |publisher=GP2 Series (official website) |access-date=5 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517030121/http://www.gp2series.com/en//website/2008gp2series/insidegp2/about-gp2/GP2-history/ |archive-date=17 May 2008 }}</ref>