Hamilton inspired by heroes of Centre Court
Lewis Hamilton harbours a surprising passion for tennis, considering he was once denied entry to Wimbledon’s Royal Box for failing to pair his floral shirt with a tie.
In the aftermath of his stirring and defiant win at the Spanish Grand Prix, he went so far as to argue that his love of the sport would underpin his quest for a fourth Formula One world title.
After an intense but gracious duel with Sebastian Vettel in the Barcelona sun, Hamilton, who counts Serena Williams as a friend, explained that he sought to emulate the metronomic brilliance of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
“I loved the fight with Sebastian. The best way I can put it is that I love watching tennis, I love watching Federer and Djokovic in finals, and what I really admire is their consistency. I admire their concenher tration, how they stay at the limit. I felt I had that battle on Sunday.”
As their tussle shifts across the Mediterranean, ready for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, Vettel remains a slight favourite, but Hamilton said there would be no let-up in the commitment that left him over 4lb lighter in Spain.
Aware that another win would lift him ahead of Vettel, he said: “It is about trying to perform as I have here, and at every one of the 15 races left. What matters is whether I am leading after the last race.”