McLaren: Hamilton goes Hollywood
Lewis Hamilton realised one dream this week when he met Indiana Jones, now he is hoping to savour another with victory in Monaco.
Hamilton was on the guest list for the world premiere screening in Cannes of the new Indy movie, the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, at the weekend.
Although the 23-year-old has become a star in his own right given his Formula One exploits, he was bowled over by the experience.
"For me, I thought it was wicked," remarked Hamilton, arguably a better film critic than actor given his much derided display as Apollo prior to the Turkish Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
"I've always been a fan of the (Indiana Jones) films, growing up as a kid.
"So sitting there watching the film the other day, I realise I've Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) sitting right behind me.
"Then there was Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. For me, it was very surreal, one of the coolest things I've done."
But after rubbing shoulders with the stars, Hamilton is focused on going one better than last season when he finished second to then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.
"This is the race to win," insisted Hamilton, who trails current championship leader Kimi Raikkonen by seven points.
"It's one of the races I've always wanted to win, and it would be a dream to win here, for me especially.
"So I am pushing very hard to make sure we do that this weekend."
Hamilton feels no other motor-racing event, not even Le Mans or the Indy 500, compares to Monaco.
"Personally, I don't see those being up there with this race, but that's just my feeling," added Hamilton.
"In themselves they are very special races, but for me growing up I was always focused on this race. This is the one.
"Ayrton (Senna) won here all the time and Michael (Schumacher) scored consecutive wins here, as did Alain Prost.
"So it's one of those where a driver can prove he is the best."
And Hamilton believes he knows what it takes to win on the track.
"Everyone knows that here the driver has more of an influence, that he can get more out of the car by being more on the edge," said the Briton.
"I think every circuit we go to the driver can make a difference, but here it can mean a much bigger difference as it is so narrow, so tight.
"It's about the driver with the biggest balls who can get closest to the barriers.
"I remember last year's race, exiting the swimming pool (complex) I touched the barrier nearly every lap with my front wing or my tyre chasing down Fernando.
"I do feel to be on the limit, to get pole position, to be out in front, to be the fastest, you have to use every inch of the road.
"Some people might be a foot or two feet away (from the barriers), but I'm not. So fingers crossed it will work this weekend."
Although the 23-year-old has become a star in his own right given his Formula One exploits, he was bowled over by the experience.
"For me, I thought it was wicked," remarked Hamilton, arguably a better film critic than actor given his much derided display as Apollo prior to the Turkish Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
"I've always been a fan of the (Indiana Jones) films, growing up as a kid.
"So sitting there watching the film the other day, I realise I've Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) sitting right behind me.
"Then there was Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. For me, it was very surreal, one of the coolest things I've done."
But after rubbing shoulders with the stars, Hamilton is focused on going one better than last season when he finished second to then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.
"This is the race to win," insisted Hamilton, who trails current championship leader Kimi Raikkonen by seven points.
"It's one of the races I've always wanted to win, and it would be a dream to win here, for me especially.
"So I am pushing very hard to make sure we do that this weekend."
Hamilton feels no other motor-racing event, not even Le Mans or the Indy 500, compares to Monaco.
"Personally, I don't see those being up there with this race, but that's just my feeling," added Hamilton.
"In themselves they are very special races, but for me growing up I was always focused on this race. This is the one.
"Ayrton (Senna) won here all the time and Michael (Schumacher) scored consecutive wins here, as did Alain Prost.
"So it's one of those where a driver can prove he is the best."
And Hamilton believes he knows what it takes to win on the track.
"Everyone knows that here the driver has more of an influence, that he can get more out of the car by being more on the edge," said the Briton.
"I think every circuit we go to the driver can make a difference, but here it can mean a much bigger difference as it is so narrow, so tight.
"It's about the driver with the biggest balls who can get closest to the barriers.
"I remember last year's race, exiting the swimming pool (complex) I touched the barrier nearly every lap with my front wing or my tyre chasing down Fernando.
"I do feel to be on the limit, to get pole position, to be out in front, to be the fastest, you have to use every inch of the road.
"Some people might be a foot or two feet away (from the barriers), but I'm not. So fingers crossed it will work this weekend."