LEWIS HAMILTON will race at the Hockenheim ring tomorrow almost 20 years since he first visited the German track — and says he is still being asked if he can behave!
A scrawny Hamilton met with McLaren boss Ron Dennis at the circuit where they discussed his racing future.
And Hamilton revealed that in the team’s motorhome he was grilled by Dennis whether he could be trusted to race fair and square against his proposed team-mate.
Ironically, that proved to be Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s current team-mate and biggest enemy at Mercedes.
Hamilton said: “The first time I came here it was on the old circuit. That day was cool.
“Ron was trying to get me in the two-seater F1 car, which Bernie Ecclestone or the insurance company wouldn’t allow, which definitely sucked.
“That was weekend Ron also sat down Nico and I and spoke to us about being teammates.
“It is crazy to think almost 20 years later we are back here again and same question could be asked from Ron: ‘Are you guys able be teammates and be cool’.”
Hamilton is in buoyant mood as he prepares for this weekend’s German Grand Prix where he has overturned a 43-point deficit to take a six-point advantage in the championship over Rosberg.
He has had wins in Monaco, Montreal, Spielberg, Silverstone and Budapest and is now eyeing victory in Hockenheim.
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The Brit admits it is crucial he takes the lead into the summer break because he knows he will face grid penalties in the second-half of the season as he is close to using his full engine allocation.
He added: “I want to win just as much as last weekend. If anything, I want to win more because last weekend was pretty s*** in terms of performance.
“I want to improve on that, and know I can because I did at Silverstone and in previous races. That’s my goal this weekend.
“I feel I am still chasing because I have less engines left, so I’ve got a steep hill up ahead of me.
“Whilst I am ahead in the points, I am not ahead overall, as I’ve got to start one race from the back.
“Nico has been driving just as well as he has all year, it’s just that I haven’t had problems with the car over the last six races.
“I’ve been driving exactly the same as in the previous part of the year, I’ve just not had a gearbox failure or engine problems, which has been nice.”
Given Hamilton’s sensational turnaround in form, he could be forgiven for not wanting the season to stop for four weeks.
However, the jet-setting 31-year-old says he is ready for a holiday after six races in a gruelling eight weeks.
He said: “I’m really happy the break’s here. It’s been a bloody long season already.
“It’s going to be good for team. The mechanics who have been away for such a long time; they are all so overloaded. This is the one precious time everyone gets to enjoy.”
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