GP2 sensation Lewis Hamilton reckons he is ready for a shot at the big time should he be given the chance to race for McLaren in Formula 1 next season.


The 21-year-old British ace, a long-time McLaren protégé, has been linked with a seat alongside Fernando Alonso in the race team in 2007, should Kimi Raikkonen opt to join Ferrari. And while McLaren does not often sign rookies to its race squad, Hamilton says his target is to race for the team next year.

“I’m feeling more and more ready for Formula 1, that’s for sure,” he told this week’s Autosport magazine.
“I want to race for McLaren. If that opportunity comes up, I want to grab it with both hands.
“So I’m really working my arse off to make sure I have every possible opportunity.
“I think if I keep on winning and performing like I did last weekend, they will find it hard to say no to me – unless someone like [Michael] Schumacher comes along.”

Team principal Ron Dennis admitted at Monaco last weekend that he expected Hamilton to be in F1 next year, but stopped short of saying in what capacity.

“Lewis’s first step is to succeed in GP2 and then we will guide him to the next and highest level,” he told the Times.
“Will he be in Formula 1 next year? I believe he will be. With which team? I don’t know yet.”

But Hamilton says one thing he doesn’t plan on is spending a season on the sidelines as a test driver for McLaren.

“I’m a racer not a test driver,” he told Autosport.
“If you’re going to be a test driver, you need to be in a third driver role where you can get used to the tracks. If you take year off you lose something.”

Click here to read a biography of Lewis Hamilton


Source: ITV Sport