Hamilton looks back at his first ever Formula One win in Canada
F1 News
In 2007, McLaren hired a rookie driver to compete alongside Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton then achieved 7 world championships and 103 victories. The Briton won his first ever Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, one that he remembers fondly.
"The only things that really stick out are just, basically from that whole first 12 races, but particularly coming here, the first time to Montreal, and immediately from the get-go, I loved the circuit and gelled well with it. That's always been the case when I've come here," Hamilton remembered his first ever season in Formula One now in 2024. He started on pole position, then won ahead of Nick Heidfeld and Alexander Wurz.
He added: "I think just living my dream in those first six races in kind of disbelief that I've actually made it, and also having the success that we were having with podiums each weekend." In 2007, Hamilton started his rookie season with a third place finish in Melbourne, and then four straight P2s until the Canadian Grand Prix. His podium streak that year only ended four races later.
'Will never forget it'
"I think ultimately just being on the podium, seeing that big trophy that you've seen the greats in the past get to hoist up and, and I think ultimately looking down and seeing my dad just, just how happy he was," the Briton explained how he felt 17 years ago.
He continued: "It was kind of a relief because of all the sleepless nights and all the energy and time that the family put into it. We finally made it and something that we continuously believed through our career together that we had the ability to do something like that. And we finally realised that. So it was a very, very special weekend, and that's one I will never forget."
In total, Hamilton has won seven times in Montreal, and except for the two times he had to retire his car, he only did not manage to finish on the podium once in the North American country.