Q+A Lewis Hamilton

Formule One drivers are very busy people, but just like everybody else they sometimes need a break from work. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team driver, Lewis Hamilton, tells us what he likes to do when he's not racing.

"Firstly I would ask for more wishes, then I would wish for my family to all be well and not have to worry about health or money ever again, and finally I would wish that I could do something positive for others less fortunate. I am not sure what or how just yet, but I’m sure the answer will come to me in time."

"This is a tricky one; I would have to say that I would need an MP3 player as I couldn't cope without having any music, although I would need to work out how to keep it powered. Obviously I would want my girlfriend to be there as well to keep me company and finally I think a speedboat with a full tank of fuel would be useful."

"I would definitely want to be doing something in music. I play the guitar and when I was younger I tried to set up my own band so I would have probably pursued something along those lines. Also a lot of my friends are involved in music so it is a big part of my life. Failing that I would have probably pursued another sport."

"The feeling you get when you are really driving on the edge and pushing beyond the limit. The rush you get, the feeling of speed, the force that your body is under, all of that coming together gives the biggest adrenaline buzz and it's something that you can't experience anywhere else."

"At the moment I am driving a Smart Forfour Brabus, which is a great car and fun to drive, also I will be extending my collection and getting a Mercedes-Benz soon. My ultimate dream car would be the Orange coloured McLaren F1 LM sitting at the McLaren Technology Centre."

"Definitely somewhere in the Caribbean. My family are from Grenada and I love visiting the Island. Maybe someday I’ll visit some of the other beautiful Islands of the Caribbean but for now Grenada is the place."

"I have a fairly extensive training programme which takes up a lot of my time away from the track. When I do have some downtime, I like to spend it relaxing with my family and friends in particular catching up with my younger brother Nicolas. I have recently taken up golf so I have been spending time trying to develop and perfect my game. I also like to play basketball when I get the opportunity."

"I really like street circuits and so I would have to pick Monaco."

"I would say that I haven't really had a hero since I was very young, as a hero is someone that seems invincible. There are people that I greatly admire though. In Formula 1 Ayrton Senna was really inspirational to me and I didn't think Michael Schumacher would ever be counted as a hero but I really do look up to him for what he has achieved and what he has done for the sport. Outside of racing, I would have to say my Dad foremost, then I find the empire that P Diddy has managed to build for himself is really motivational. Finally Martin Luther King who was just a great person, he continues to inspire many people including me."