Lewis wins Mumbai over

Fri, Jul 25 01:00 AM

THERE were no trapeze artists. Nor was there a laser hologram, a raging sailboat or a full-throttle race against an aircraft.

In fact, compared to Lewis Hamilton's other global promotional appearances this year, his first visit to India was a mellow affair. Yet the McLaren driver's splash-and-dash appearance here was a runaway hit.

The reason was the show's hero, who through his down-to-earth charm disarmed the audience that walked away with the feeling of having met a guy next door. Hamilton was extraordinarily simple, speaking from the heart, and taking genuine interest in what unfolded around him.

He had flown into the city only two hours before the event, yet patiently answered questions, made enquiries and cracked jokes during the hour-long interaction. Hamilton arrived driving a go-kart, decked in his McLaren overalls and flashing his famous thumbs-up sign.

As his yellow helmet came off, the face broke out into a bright smile that hardly faded through the afternoon. "The weather's great," he said, looking at the downpour.

"I'm really blessed to be here." Jumping onto the gleaming stage that had a replica of his McLaren car, Hamilton took control and explained an upcoming competition planned by a mobile company where the winner will get to be part of McLaren team during a race weekend in Italy in September.

He greeted his three competitors for the day who were to try and beat the timing he set on the kart, trying to put them at ease through small talk and humour. Amid shouts of "do it in the wet, Lewis!" Hamilton hit the kids' section of the karting track, a 75-metre loop that had been partly protected by a canopy from the downpour.

He threw the kart around, sliding in the wet section, kissing the tyre walls and ending with a flashy spin. Then, clutching the microphone, he proceeded to give his competitors an educated lowdown of his nine-second lap.

"There's not much to do on this circuit - only three corners," he grinned. "It's pretty much flat out and I hope you have more fuel than I did.

" He then proceeded to flag off the race and perched himself on a high-chair to commentate, taking good-humoured jibes at Ferrari in the process ("Oh, he is going to lap these guys just like we lapped the Ferraris! Just joking!"). After awarding the winners, he signed their overalls.

He gave them instructions on spraying the champagne when the winner seemed to struggle. ("You have to pop the top off and #8230; and don't point it at me").

Then he proceeded to mingle with the 200-strong invited audience. "This is where it started for me," he said, in reference to karts, recalling his moment as a 10-year-old when he had walked up to his current boss Ron Dennis in a "squeaky voice" and told him he wanted to drive for him some day.

"Now I'm working hard to show people what I can do." It was his first visit to the country, but Hamilton said he would like to return, though not as a celebrity.

"I would like to come back, but on my own, very quiet and discreet with a rucksack and go around. I like sightseeing and taking pictures.

RECOMMEND THIS STORY