After a 19-race international trek across the world, Lewis Hamilton's return to the McLaren Technology Centre on Saturday finally brought him full circle.
Full circle in the sense that it returned him to the place where his Formula 1 dream was first given wings with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Full circle, too, as it united him with the stars and sensations of 2010's Formula Kart Stars - the junior category where Lewis first cut his teeth in motorsport and the launchpad for all his future racing aspirations.
As ambassador for the series, Lewis has taken an active role in the growth and development of the series, even having the ‘True Grit' trophy - awarded to the driver who best displays racing spirit - named after him!
To conclude the year, Lewis hosted all of this year's 35 Formula Kart Stars race-winners at a special end-of-season event at the team's Woking headquarters. After an exclusive tour of the facility, Lewis hosted Q&A sessions with all the champions from the series. In addition, all 12 True Grit nominees each personally received a coveted True Grit prize helmet from Lewis himself.
"Karting is the ideal way to start your career in motorsport," said Lewis. "And Formula Kart Stars is a fantastically well-organised and extremely professional entry point for any young driver in the UK to get their racing career kickstarted.
"Meeting all the kids who have excelled throughout 2010, you could see the amount of determination and hope written across their faces. It reminded me of my early days in the sport, and the way that I chased my ideals with all the determination in the world.
"I hope that today shows these guys that anything is possible in motorsport, and that dedication, belief and hard work - both in racing, but also with regards to studying - can be truly rewarding.
"I am proud of the championship's successes, and I'm proud to be a Formula Kart Stars ambassador."
