Hamilton promised rare sports car
Filed Under: F1 News
Lewis Hamilton has been promised an ultra-exclusive sports car if he wins both the Drivers’ and the Manufacturers’ Championships in 2008.
According to British newspaper The Sun, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has promised his young driver the keys to a McLaren F1 LM – one of the world’s rarest supercars – if he wins both championships. The bright orange sports car is currently kept at McLaren F1’s Surrey headquarters.
Despite a disappointing Malaysian Grand Prix which saw him finishing in fifth place, Hamilton still leads the drivers’ championship, three points clear of current world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton has explained that owning a McLaren F1 has been a dream of his since he was little. “The LM has always been my ultimate dream car since I first saw it when I was 13,” he explained. “When I first went to McLaren it was there and I fell in love with it. There are only five LMs in existence and the normal ones – the GTR – are worth around £1 million so the LM must be double that.”
Dennis joked that at least he had some time to save up the money for the car. “If Lewis can win two titles, the car is his,” he confirmed. “Fortunately our deal gives me a bit of time to save up!”
The LM spec McLaren was originally produced to mark the McLaren F1 GTR’s win at Le Mans 24 Hour in 1995. The car features a V12 engine which powers the car from 0-60 mph in a staggering 2.69 seconds.
The driver has an unusual driving position, sitting in the centre of the carbon-fibre car, with passenger seats either side.
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sall | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
Well great, hes already being paid millions so this is hardly going to make him work any harder!
And what does Kovalainen get if he does the same, a discounted Mercedes A Class? The poor guy, this rubbish wont help his motivation. Dennis once again picks a favourite, no wonder Alonso left!!!
hammy08 | May 27, 2008 | Reply
I was just thinking the same thing. Hamilton cannot win the constructor’s title on his own. I mean, if Hamilton won every race from here on end, but the Ferraris came second and third, then Mclaren will still not be able to win the championship. Kovaleinen has to pitch in. Unless Kovaleinen gets something out of it, I’m against this idea.
There is one thing that you will have to face Sall, Hamilton will always be Dennis’ favourite. He’s supported the guy since he was a young lad. (OMG - I used an English word.)