McLaren driver shows off go-kart skills on India trip

The globe-trotting never stops for Lil’ Lewis. This time he’s in India, helping to expand the F1 brand. He kicked off his visit with a spin in a 20bhp kart, at a track in Mumbai. It was a reminder of Hamilton’s formative years in motorsport, when he was a karting champion at two years old (or something like that).

Hamilton was amazed by the positive reception he recieved in India, but he should remember that interest in F1 has surged since Force India entered the sport.

Some Lewis quotes below, plus a video of him driving the kart…

Signing autographs in Mumbai. What a guy!

Selected quotes from his Q&A session in India:

On being compared to F1’s all-time greats:

“To me, it is an honour. Senna is the best ever. I am working to show the world what I can do, maybe in future I can show them that I can be a world champion. Michael Schumacher is very cool. As a kid, I watched him and supported him. For me, he is very special.”

On the GP2 series:

“You are referring to Karun Chandhok who won the GP2 race at Hockenheim. It is highly technical, and more importantly for aspiring drivers, you are racing at F1 weekends. That means the F1 teams are watching you. I went to the GP2 series, won and moved into Formula One.”

On F1’s popularity in India:

“It takes time for a sport to grow. The first part is awareness which is already there. I am amazed at the support for me in India. I want to give back to the sport, create facilities for youngsters. It is only my second F1 season, so I guess there is still time left for me to think on those lines.”

And watch a short clip of Lewis in action at the Hakone karting circuit: