Formula One news

Dennis: Hamilton success no accident

Ron Dennis has revealed how he kept Lewis Hamilton on his toes by not telling him initially whether he was going to be a race or test driver in 2007 for McLaren. The team boss said how he made the 22-year-old work extra hard for the opportunity and now Dennis claims that this intense preparation is the reason for his shock success

Dennis told the Daily Telegraph: "I wanted to keep Lewis guessing. I said I was going to give him a chance. I deliberately did not explain exactly what that chance would be, testing, or whatever. I simply said that for the next few months I wanted him in the factory 10 hours a day. He was coming to work. I wanted him to know every detail about how the car works, about every nut and bolt. I wanted him to know the rules better than any driver on the grid. I wanted him to be the fittest driver. The intention was to make him the best-prepared racing driver in the history of Formula One by the time he lined up on the grid in Melbourne. He was. His success this season is not an accident."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation
  • Confirmed: Rosberg to Mercedes for 2010

Homepage