Personality favourite Hamilton still blinded by the spotlight
LEWIS Hamilton may be the
favourite to walk away with the
BBC Sports Personality of the
Year Award tomorrow night but
the Formula One revelation admits
being the centre of attention
still takes some getting used to.
The 22-year-old rookie has certainly
experienced a roller-coaster
ride during 2007, when he battled
through the McLaren-Ferrari
spying scandal to come within
touching distance of landing the
coveted world drivers' championship
at his first attempt.
As a result, Hertfordshire-born
Hamilton has found himself living
in a goldfish bowl, with intense
media scrutiny of both his
public and private life.
The racing driver made the decision
to move to Switzerland to
try to get away from the constant
attention, and continues to find
all the trappings of his new-found
fame somewhat unexpected.
I am completely shocked by all
this,'' said Hamilton.
Getting into Formula One was
great, but then all the other stuff
which comes with it - never in a
million years did I think I would
have won so many awards and be
up for something like BBC Sports
Personality.''
Whether he lands the top honour
or not, Hamilton fully intends
to make the most of his trip to the
NEC in Birmingham tomorrow
evening, an 8,000 sell-out.
I am just going to go to Birmingham
and enjoy the evening
and meet people who I would
never get the opportunity to do so,
that you respect for what they do,''
he said.
If I did win, it would mean a
huge amount because of the great
people who have won that award
in the past, but I am up against
some amazing talent.''
Hamilton swept the board at the
recent Autosport Awards in a
glitzy ceremony held at the
Grosvenor House Hotel on London's
Park Lane.
He reflected: This has been an
incredible year for me. To get to
my first grand prix and get on the
podium was amazing, and it just
got better and better.''
Hamilton has been back in the
driver's cockpit for his first Formula
One test since the seasonending
Brazilian Grand Prix in
October.
The Briton cannot wait to do it
all over again.
He said: You have to lose to
learn how to win - we will be right
there next year.
It was pretty cool to be back behind
the wheel of my car again.''
Hamilton is one of ten to have
made the shortlist for this year's
award, won in 2006 by world
equestrian champion Zara
Phillips.
Boxer Ricky Hatton could see
his chances boosted with victory
over WBC welterweight title holder
Floyd Mayweather Jnr in Las
Vegas during the early hours of
tomorrow morning.
Fellow fighter Joe Calzaghe,
plus athletes Paula Radcliffe and
Christine Ohuruogu, are among
the leading contenders from
which the winner will be selected
via a public phone vote during the
live show on BBC One.
Number one European golfer
Justin Rose, motorcyclist James
Toseland, Britain's top tennis
player Andy Murray and England
rugby union stars Jonny Wilkinson
and Jason Robinson complete
the shortlist, drawn up from the
selections of more than 30 sporting
experts, including a range of
newspaper editors.
The BBC will also name their
Coach of the Year, Overseas Personality
- which was claimed in
2006 by Swiss tennis ace Roger
Federer - and Young Personality
tomorrow night.
This year, the three budding
sportsmen to have made the
shortlist are diver Thomas Daley,
table tennis player Paul Drinkhall
and cricketer James Harris.
There will also be recognition
for the Sports Unsung Hero,
Hartlepool's Keith Everitt is
among the nominations, as well
as two special honours - lifetime
achievement, and the Helen Rollason
Award for achievement in
the face of adversity.
9:30am Saturday 8th December 2007
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