Lewis Hamilton: Driven by Formula One

Formula One is as competitive as sports get. It's marked by single-minded and focused sportsmanship, as immortalized by the 2007 Mercedes-Benz F1 commercial featuring Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Mika Häkkinen:

Lewis Hamilton is the youngest Formula One world champion ever. He is the first black man to make it to the top of this glamorous sport, and he is absolutely driven by the will to win. Often taking risks that cause him to start a race from a rear position, he has a singular ability to come back from behind and overtake the field. So how on earth does he also manage to be a sportsman with perfect manners, as Maja Sirola reports (Spotlight 4/2009)? In an astonishing interview dating from 1998, when he was only 13, Hamilton was asked what advice he would give to other young people interested in racing. He said: "Stay focused; make sure your parents are giving you enough discipline; and concentrate on your education." Extraordinary words from such a young man. Ten years down the road, here he is, the reigning world champion and a contender for this year's F1 title. Although Jenson Button won the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, the best driving in Melbourne came from Lewis Hamilton, who finished third, having started in 18th place. UPDATE: Hamilton has been stripped of all his race points from the Australian Grand Prix after an FIA hearing found he had deliberately misled race stewards over an incident involving Jarno Trulli. ( 2 April)

This week, we look at how words and idioms connected to racing and speed can be used to describe a professional career. After all, the job market is very competitive, and you might like to impress your listeners with your good sportsmanship. Get into pole position by doing the exercise on the next page.

Anne Hodgson