Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton humble after overtaking Jim Clark's F1 record

Published on Tuesday 12 April 2011 16:56

Lewis Hamilton will take inspiration from the late Jim Clark as he bids to reinvigorate his season in China this weekend.

Double world champion Clark had a phenomenal record of 25 wins and 33 pole positions in just 72 grands prix prior to his death at just 32 in an F2 race at Hockenheim in 1968, and all of those races were for Lotus.

Hamilton, who has so far spent all of his career with McLaren since his debut in 2007, has now competed in 73 grands prix with the team that has nurtured him since the age of 13.

Now 26, there is plenty of time yet for Hamilton to move on but, for now, he has surpassed Clark's record for most races for one team only in an F1 career.

"I've been told by someone on the team that, of all the drivers in Formula 1 to have only driven for one team, I'm now the driver who's raced in the most grands prix," said Hamilton.

"Jim Clark drove 72 races for Lotus, and Malaysia was my 73rd with McLaren. It makes me feel very humble. I never saw Jim Clark race, but he'll always be remembered as one of the greats, and as a loyal Lotus driver. Loyalty's extremely important, and I'm proud to be mentioned in the same breath as him.

"It only gives me even more determination to bounce back stronger than ever."

In Malaysia on Sunday, Hamilton endured a woeful race, blaming strategy, tyres and poor pit stops for his eighth-place finish.

After being given a retrospective drive-through penalty for weaving in attempting to block Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Hamilton had 20 seconds added to his time, dropping him a place.

But Hamilton is now eager to focus on this weekend's race in Shanghai which cannot come quick enough in order to get Malaysia out of his system.

"It's always best to put a disappointing weekend behind you and, as always, I'll make a positive of the experience in Malaysia and learn from it," he added.

"With China only a few days away, it's the best possible way to move on, and I'm already throwing myself into my preparations."

So far, Sebastian Vettel has proven unbeatable in his Red Bull as the sport's youngest world champion has won the opening two races.

But Hamilton believes Vettel can be caught, and said: "What's been most encouraging is that our pace is still extremely strong.

"Jenson (Button] drove a fantastic race and was able to narrow the gap to Sebastian during the closing laps, and I think we have the pace to continue taking the fight to Red Bull this weekend. It's important we keep applying the pressure to make sure they can't afford to make mistakes."