Doing it his way: interview with Hamilton

Can it be only three-and-a-half years since Lewis Hamilton burst onto the grand prix scene? It seems so much longer. Since that debut podium finish in Melbourne in 2007, the 25-year-old has both won and lost championships in the most remarkable circumstances, charged to sensational victories, become embroiled in the McLaren spy scandal, pulled off many of the greatest F1 overtaking moves of the 21st century, been shamed by last year's Australian Grand Prix lying controversy and recovered after a half-season slump when poor machinery condemned him to midfielder status. What a story.

In 2010, the rollercoaster has levelled off. The virtuoso on-track performances haven't changed, but Hamilton comes across as a far more relaxed individual. At times during his early years, certainly once the initial exuberance of his arrival had calmed, he seemed stifled by his environment and ill-at-ease with being a global megastar - particularly when facing the media. But that has changed.