LEWIS HAMILTON may exude a cool persona moments before the start of every grand prix but he has conceded to suffering pre-race nerves.
Hamilton admits to playing out in his mind numerous scenarios once the five red lights disappear to signal a frantic run down towards the first corner.
But it is the kind of adrenaline rush that drives on Hamilton as he bids to become Formula One world champion this year.
“Well, I’m human,” smiled Hamilton, as he prepares for Sunday’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, quashing the thought he would have ice running through his veins in the race build-up.
“There are nerves, but not the kind thinking I might fail. They are of excitement, with the adrenaline pumping.
“It’s about whether I will get the start perfect; what will happen in the first corner, because it’s an unknown. You’ve no clue.
“It’s a question of: do I go left or right?; do I brake early or late?; do I get hit from behind?; do I get a flat tyre?
“There are so many questions, and that’s the exciting thing about it.
“With the nerves it’s about how I control them, control that energy and try and maintain it through the race, and that’s always a key.
“But when I talk about nerves, I can tell you I’ve had them since I started racing, and it is the same before every race.”
Hamilton certainly conquered his nerves in the British Grand Prix 12 days ago, storming to victory to set up a three-way tie for the lead alongside Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, although he is ahead on countback.
