"You know, if Lewis makes it to Formula One next year," Anthony Hamilton said quietly in the GP2 paddock at the Hungaroring in 2006, "I don't suppose I will go to more than three or four grands prix a year. I would feel like I was in the way, some sort of intruder who didn't belong..."
Back then, son and father were nearing their long-held goal to graduate into the big league after years of success in karting, Formula Renault, Formula Three and GP2. But that final step was by no means a foregone conclusion as McLaren pondered the wisdom of putting a rookie alongside the incoming reigning champion Fernando Alonso.
Two years on, as his elder son stands on the cusp of the world championship at only his second attempt, Hamilton Snr is in almost as great a demand with the autograph-hungry fans as his 23-year-old offspring from Tewin in Hertfordshire whose electric driving has transformed the sport in the post-Schumacher era. And he has not missed a race. More often than not, he is accompanied to races by his wife Linda and their son Nicholas. All of them are here this weekend.
The Hamilton family story is at least as involving as Lewis Hamilton's on-track exploits. Anthony, an IT engineer at British Rail, eventually wanted one day too many off to take his young son karting. So he quit his job, set up as an IT consultant, and never looked back. The family prospered despite the initial hardships of funding Lewis's racing, and the big show finally got on the road when McLaren's Ron Dennis stepped in when Hamilton was nine years old to underwrite his career. The rest is history, as championship followed championship.
Family values have always been at the core of Hamilton's successes, and he refers to then frequently. His comments are clearly genuine. "I've been very fortunate having my father's support all the way," he says. "Mentally he is very strong. He's had a major influence on my mental preparation and the way I think. It's a difficult skill to put things behind you, but sometimes you see all these drivers looking so disappointed. And you think: 'Get a grip of yourself. You can bounce back.' If you let it kill you, you'll never improve."
Hamilton's fundamental values come from that stable family background. He is not known for dirty driving, even though rivals have lately been critical of his success. He is polite, engaging and articulate, albeit hard to get to the more successful he gets; but more than anything, he is grounded.
"Possibly I come from a different background to some people," he suggests, "but I think the main thing is that I have a fantastic family that's been behind me all the way, my father Anthony and my stepmother Linda, and my brother Nicholas."
Nic is one of the most popular figures in the paddock. A sufferer of cerebral palsy, he never lets that get the better of him and is rarely seen without a big smile on his face. Hamilton admits that he draws energy from him.
"We get on really well and he's a great kid. He's an inspiration not only to me, but to a lot of other people, I'm sure. He's always positive, he never complains about what he has. He just keeps his chin up. Whenever I think I have problems I just think how many problems in life he has. I mean, he can't do half the things that I can do and yet he is always happy. I think that's a strong message. For sure, having him as a brother has a major effect on the way that I think."
After his majestic success in the wet in the British Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "You can't imagine the emotions inside me. I wanted to push, but also just to get the car back. I dedicate this one to my family. I've had some troubles in the last few weeks but as always my family was always there to support me. Before the race my brother Nic said, 'Don't worry, it'll be all right.' And it was..."
There are some who suggest that Anthony Hamilton calls many of the shots at McLaren, and there is no denying the power that has been vested in him as the manager of Formula One's biggest sporting asset. Hamilton Jnr does not always do anything to dispel that myth.
"My dad's opinion is the only one that matters," he has said. "I obviously have Ron and Martin [Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh, respectively the chairman and chief operating officer of McLaren Racing] who suggest things and I'm able to take that on as well because I know they've said it for the right reasons.
"But the majority of the time, 99.9 per cent of the time, it's my dad."
Life and fast times of champ in waiting
Growing up
Was racing remote controlled cars at 6, driving karts at 12, and a Formula A driver at 16.
Blue Peter Has received three Blue Peter badges after appearing on the children's show three times.
Songs of praise
The song 'I Think I'm In Love' was written for him by Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger (below left). Interested in moving into music after Formula 1, there are even rumours of a singing duet with Scherzinger.
Young guns
He is a contemporary of Stevenage's other leading light, Ashley Young (right), although the two are not believed to be close. "He was away at weekends, you couldn't socialise out of school," the Aston Villa midfielder has said. When asked if he looks out for his former schoolmate's exploits, he replied "Only if I come across something in the newspaper."
Keeping neck in front
He keeps his helmet on during training to increase neck strength and has been known to sleep in it. Reportedly, his neck circumference has increased by two inches as he bulks up to counteract the pressures on his body.
Home from home
Hamilton paid £20m on his own piece of paradise, the posh Grenada Grand Beach Resort. Has also been given beachfront land worth £10m by the Grenadan government in return for promoting the island where his grandfather Davidson lives.
Source : http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/hamilton-the-main-thing-is-that-i-have-a-fantastic-family-behind-me-981778.html