far2000

McLaren pimps drivers

24/05/2007 09:03



F1 leader Lewis Hamilton had a taste of Monaco's millionaire lifestyle on Wednesday when he was handed a diamond-studded helmet to wear in Sunday's showcase Grand Prix.
"I'm blinged out. I got bling on my helmet, how cool is that," enthused the 22-year-old rookie at a presentation organised by diamond company and McLaren team sponsor Steinmetz on one of the larger floating palaces moored in the Mediterranean principality's exclusive harbour.
Hamilton and double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso will wear helmets with 'Monaco 07' written in white diamonds on the side.
The helmets will then be auctioned for charities chosen by the drivers.
Both drivers flanked a model wearing the 'Ponahalo', a necklace made up of at least $50m worth of stones cut from one 316 carat rough diamond - the largest to come out of the De Beers Venetia mine in South Africa.
The necklace, paraded under the watchful gaze of security guards, will be shown to some of the world's wealthiest individuals over the Grand Prix weekend before being sold to the highest bidder - assuming the unspecified reserve price is reached.
Both McLaren drivers were also given $10 000 rings, each one with a tyre tread motif in diamonds, to keep.
Hamilton, the youngest leader in the history of the championship with a two point advantage over Alonso after four races, could become the first rookie to win the most glamorous race of all.
However he said he felt at home in his extraordinary surroundings.
"I'm fit, probably fitter than I've been all season, and more relaxed than I've been all season," he told reporters.
"This is the best race of the season, and already the atmosphere is building up. I can really feel it. I'm just so excited to be here, standing on the back of the biggest boat I think I've ever seen," added Hamilton.
"But then, driving the streets of Monaco is any driver's dream."
Hamilton has finished all four of his races so far on the podium, the first rookie to achieve that feat, and has been runner-up in his last three Grands Prix.
Brimming with confidence, he saw no reason why the run of success might not continue.
"We just need to remain consistent. We've only had four races, and it's already been an amazing journey just to get here," he said.
"I just need to keep on enjoying it, making sure I keep my feet on the ground. With this sort of weekend it's easy to just start floating - well we are floating at the moment - because it's an amazing experience," said Hamilton. "I am really, really enjoying it," he said.

The Emperor

Mercedes "Bling-Bling" Mclaren!

The Emperor

He did not need much encouragement, but on Wednesday Lewis Hamilton was easily seduced by the glitz and glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix.

On the eve of opening practice on the most famous of all street circuits run round the houses, hotels, casinos and restaurants of the Mediterranean principality, the 22-year-old British rookie could not stop grinning.

One of McLaren Mercedes-Benz team's sponsors had given both he and Alonso a set of white diamonds for their crash helmets - as well as rings and bracelets for themselves and their girlfriends.

Hamilton was even cheeky enough to ask sponsors Steinmetz, a Geneva-based diamonds specialist, for an extra earring for himself.

"I'm all blinged up,” said Hamilton. “I've bling on my helmet. How cool is that?"

"It feels fantastic. I take a lot of care of my helmet, and now to have some diamonds on it...while the ring even spins! I've seen drivers in the past with diamonds on their helmets, and now it's amazing to know it's on mine.
"<

He added, however, that he understood the difference between the glamour of his job as a Grand Prix driver and the real professional task of racing for victory.

"I feel very comfortable, great coming into this weekend. The team have done a great job, so I feel very optimistic about the whole weekend. I'm expecting it to go well. I just need to make sure I am focused.”

"You need to be focused here more than any other track because you have no room for error. So you need to be relaxed, enjoy the atmosphere, the whole experience, but there is also a job to do."


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Hypersonic

Hmmm, I wonder how those refugees in Darfur are doing. I see Robert Mugabe is building a museum to celebrate his achievements -- I must visit it when it is done.



....I'm sorry to be so cynical, but I honestly am sick and tired of conspicuous self-indulgence -- seriously, haven't people got anything better to do with their time and money than squander it on glitzy crap?

BMW_Dude

I think that Mclaren did this last year!

I agree Rob, what a waste, but remember they will auction the helmets off and the money raised will go to a charity of the driver's choice!

Hypersonic

That is true BMW_Dude ....I guess I get too serious sometimes

The Artist

Baller Helmet

450SEL6.9

Think of all the publicity for Mclaren, Monaco GP, F1, the diamond makers, etc. . . In a celebrity and style obsessed world, there is no such thing as bad press.

zetableh

I'm glad that they are auctioning off the helmets. It reminds me of the Mother's Day bats and Jackie Robinson jersey's that MLB auctioned off for various charities, game used and usually autographed. Big Papi's jersey was going for at least $5,000

C.Charles

Going to improve crash protection?