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Q & A with Lewis Hamilton

Q: How was the first day at Silverstone?

Lewis Hamilton: "It was not such a bad day. The plan was to test but then it was changed, so we had a shakedown. It is still a great feeling."

Q: How did you feel in the morning?

Hamilton: "To be honest, I was relaxed about that. As soon as you get out on the track you realise what is going on. Obviously I have driven the car before, I have done it in someone else's suit, but now I am in my own suit, my own gear and it is just a phenomenal feeling."

Q: When did you find out about the test? In Monza?

Hamilton: "No, it was not in Monza, it was early this week. I was doing some work down in the factory, and then they said they have to let me test this week. I was extremely happy with the news. I was training there and I got the call."

Q: How did you feel when you drove the car out of the pits?

Hamilton: "I know it is only a shakedown, but again being in my own gear, knowing that I can focus on this, I just enjoyed it. When the car started I couldn't help but smile. I tried to stay serious, but I got this big grin on my face.

"Actually pulling out of the garage and going down the pitlane, you just absorb and take that moment. It is a feeling I just keep going back to. But when I get in next time, it will not be as good as this time. Right now I am living my dream."

Q: How is the car compared to the GP2 car?

Hamilton: "Today I have not done any laps, just out and in laps. But it feels quite similar in terms of power to weight. There is not a huge difference in the power of GP2 compared to F1 with V8. It is quite surprising how different the V8 is.

"With GP2, you accelerate, using lower revs, shift a lot earlier but as you pull away the engine feels louder, it sounds low. In F1, it is higher pitched and the shift is just so quick. In terms of driving it is quite similar, but you have better brakes. I will find out how far I can take the car into fast corners. It is definitely more stable than GP2."

Q: Do you think the shakedown helped a bit for the test?

Hamilton: "I think so, although I think I would have been fine anyway. I am just taking my time and getting back into the swing of driving a car, being comfortable with the controls and with the way the team works. That is different to what I am used to."

Q: Are the grooved tyres a step up from slicks?

Hamilton: "So far I have only done out- and in-laps, so I have not really had a feeling, but the tyres feel a bit stiffer. It feels they are harder compounds then we have in GP2. At the moment I have not put that to the limit, so I don't know how much grip it can give, but the car feels much lighter."

Q: You and Pedro de la Rosa are fighting for the seat. How do you analyse the next few weeks?

Hamilton: "From my understanding, this test is not to analyse that if I do better than Pedro, I get a chance. It is just they want to give me some time because I deserved it. I have a hard journey and finally I am here. It is a bit of taster. There is no substitute for learning. Pedro has done thousands of miles under his belt and I just have to get used to the car and familiarise myself with it."

Q: Do you feel there is anything to prove this week?

Hamilton: "I don't think so. I think I proved my point over the years, especially in GP2 this year. Given time I will be up to speed, and for me I am not putting myself under any pressure to be quicker than Pedro. I just want to take my time, feel the atmosphere, and learn as much as I can from Pedro. He is a very experienced driver."

Q: You don't feel you are being" tested" as such?

Hamilton: "I was told that I am not being tested. It is a good sign that they say so. It is relaxing that I am not tested. They said, 'just enjoy it, you deserve it, and make sure you have some fun.' That is what I was told. As I said, it is my dream come true."

Q: How comfortable are you in the cockpit? What is the seating position like?

Hamilton: "I made my seat last weekend. I made sure I got the seat perfect, and it feels very natural."

Q: Can you see where you are going?

Hamilton: "I hope so! The seating position is not much different to the GP2 car. The cockpit I think is a bit bigger or longer though, and you can lay back a bit more than in GP2."

Q: How has it been for you the last two weeks, since you won the title?

Hamilton: "After the Championship, I made sure I celebrated in style. I came home and it did not sink in for another couple of days. In the first week I started to realise what I have achieved this year, watching some of the races.

"My family are extremely proud, which makes me very happy. I did not expect to get a test so early. I think it was about 10 days after I won the championship that I am in the F1 car. The year seems to be getting better and better."

Q: Do you think you might get a chance to race before the end of the season?

Hamilton: "I don't think so."

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