Rookie Hamilton hoping to rewrite record books

After Melbourne and Sepang, British driver could become the first to grab three consecutive podium finishes in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of setting Formula One history. No driver—not Michael Schumacher nor Fernando Alonso, or any of the other drivers in the series dating back to 1950—has ever started his F1 career with three consecutive finishes in the top three.

Hamilton, a 22-year-old Briton in his rookie season with McLaren-Mercedes and F1’s first black driver, has surprised many by finishing third in Australia and a second in Malaysia. Heading into this weekend’s Bahrain GP, Hamilton would be unique with another top-three finish.

The last driver to take two F1 podium finishes in his first two races was Britain’s Peter Arundell in 1964. However Arundell, after thirds in Monaco and the Netherlands, overheated his car at the Belgian GP and came in ninth.

Story continues below this ad

Schumacher started with a clutch problem in his first race for Jordan, the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. Alonso began his career in a Minardi with a 12th at the 2001 Australian GP behind a Schumacher win.

Hamilton is still humbled by his start, losing only to Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in the first two races, despite a good record in winter testing.

Reigning world champion Alonso has won the last two driver’s F1 world titles and Raikkonen has finished second twice. “I really didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t think I would be here twice on the podium already in the first two races and still in contention with these two guys,” Hamilton said of Alonso and Raikkonen. “I think it is difficult to go into a season and to predict what is going to happen or to know what to expect. For sure, testing is one thing and racing is another.”

Now Hamilton turns his attention to Bahrain, where he trailed the Ferraris in testing in February.

Story continues below this ad

“Bahrain, like Malaysia, will be another demanding race and I will have new experiences and challenges. I am really looking forward to it,” Hamilton said.

Bahrain is the first track Hamilton had racing experience with, having tested in February and racing with an F3 in 2004. “I really enjoyed racing there, it has some great sections to it,” Hamilton said.

Alonso also is eager for another race, especially since he is leading the standings with 18 points from two races, ahead of Raikkonen with 16 and Hamilton on 14.

“I won at Bahrain last year, and would like to repeat that result this weekend,” Alonso said.