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Sebastien Blin is a professional journalist/photographer who travelled the karting circuits around the globe in the 90s and early 2000s. He got the chance to see several current Formula 1 drivers race karts at a very high level.
Below, he explains to us what he found so impressive with the 2008 Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.
In 2000, the karting circuit of Valence in France played host to the second Swiss Trophy and the ultimate round of the European Karting Championship.
“I saw Lewis Hamilton with his teammate, Nico Rosberg, in the stands of the MBM.com team, a karting team that had been specially set up for the two up and coming drivers,” said Blin.
“Aged only 15 at the time, Lewis Hamiton was fully focused. In deep concentration, the young Brit was getting ready for the most important race of his burgeoning career. He knew he had to clinch the title to prove to Ron Dennis and the McLaren F1 team that he had what champions are made of,” he added.
A few hours later, Lewis was the new European champion. He drove intelligently and demonstrated impressive maturity by letting victory slip by in order to collect just enough points to bag the title.
“With the help and support of McLaren, his career was easy as long as he'd clinch titles. Hamilton was already part of a highly professional karting team that relied on some of the best chassis/motor engineers such as Dino Chiesa,” Blin continued.
“Rumours circulated at the time that his engines were tuned by McLaren. However, Hamilton knew that victory could not rely on the engine alone.
“Hamilton was always hard at work. The moment he returned to the paddock after a run, he would write down every details about the behaviour of his chassis, engine, carburetor and tires. He would also take notes on air temperature, pressure and humidity as engine characteristics were determined by the quantity of air the 32-mm carburetor could feed to the two-stroke engine. These were important pieces of data for an engine that revved up to 20,500 revolutions per minute!
“His father Anthony and his brother Nicolas were often with Lewis at the races. Their support greatly helped the young racer to fulfil his objectives. One year later, Lewis Hamilton started his car racing career, competing in the Formula Renault 2000 UK Winter Series with Manor. He was en route to Formula 1,” Blin terminated.
Below, he explains to us what he found so impressive with the 2008 Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.
 |
| Lewis Hamilton starting a run in his Formula Super A kart in 2001. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
In 2000, the karting circuit of Valence in France played host to the second Swiss Trophy and the ultimate round of the European Karting Championship.
 |
| In 2000, international karting adopted some F1 technology, such as these screens... (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
“I saw Lewis Hamilton with his teammate, Nico Rosberg, in the stands of the MBM.com team, a karting team that had been specially set up for the two up and coming drivers,” said Blin.
 |
| Lewis Hamilton taking down notes during a Bridgestone tire test in 2001. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
“Aged only 15 at the time, Lewis Hamiton was fully focused. In deep concentration, the young Brit was getting ready for the most important race of his burgeoning career. He knew he had to clinch the title to prove to Ron Dennis and the McLaren F1 team that he had what champions are made of,” he added.
 |
| With his teammate Nico Rosberg. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
A few hours later, Lewis was the new European champion. He drove intelligently and demonstrated impressive maturity by letting victory slip by in order to collect just enough points to bag the title.
 |
| Hamilton competed in the famous Paris Bercy indoor karting event. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
“With the help and support of McLaren, his career was easy as long as he'd clinch titles. Hamilton was already part of a highly professional karting team that relied on some of the best chassis/motor engineers such as Dino Chiesa,” Blin continued.
 |
| Hamilton during the 2001 World Karting Championship at SRA. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
“Rumours circulated at the time that his engines were tuned by McLaren. However, Hamilton knew that victory could not rely on the engine alone.
 |
| Getting ready to contest the race of the European Karting Championship in 2000 in Valence, France. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
“Hamilton was always hard at work. The moment he returned to the paddock after a run, he would write down every details about the behaviour of his chassis, engine, carburetor and tires. He would also take notes on air temperature, pressure and humidity as engine characteristics were determined by the quantity of air the 32-mm carburetor could feed to the two-stroke engine. These were important pieces of data for an engine that revved up to 20,500 revolutions per minute!
 |
| Hamilton on the starting grid of the FSA World Championship in Mariembourg, Belgium. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
“His father Anthony and his brother Nicolas were often with Lewis at the races. Their support greatly helped the young racer to fulfil his objectives. One year later, Lewis Hamilton started his car racing career, competing in the Formula Renault 2000 UK Winter Series with Manor. He was en route to Formula 1,” Blin terminated.
 |
| Racing in the rain in Kerpen, Germany during the second round of the FSA World Championship. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |
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| Hamilton with Nico Rosberg in the Parc Fermé in Italy. (Photo: Sébastien Blin/Sportimage) |