Amazed to see the rapid rise of Formula One inIndia, McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton said the F1 race here could become one ofthe best of the year given the country's potential.
"It is amazing to see the rise of India in Formula One.From a driver (Narain Karthikeyan), to a team and then a Grand Prix in a matterof few years shows the potential of the country," the 2008 F1 championtold PTI in an interview.
"I am amazed at the development and rise of Formula Onein India in a matter of few years. India will become a major destination on theF1 calendar in the coming years," he said.
Inspired by the vibrant colours of India, Hamilton will besporting a specially designed helmet during the Indian GP.
"I try and play with the design of my helmet in a few racesaround the year. Be it the first race of the season, or Monaco, Silverstone orthe season-ending Brazil GP. Indian GP is a very special race for me and henceI have designed a special helmet.
"It has the 'Holi' effect with different colours likethe beautiful and colourful festival in India and also has a special message inHindi meaning Believe in yourself enough and anything is possible."
Hamilton felt that Narain Karthikeyan's move to Force Indiawould do wonders as he is presently driving a slower car in HRT.
The Brit said the Indian driver has not been able to drive acompetitive car until now due to which he has not secured any good results.
"Not all drivers get fast cars. But, if Karthikeyanwere to get to race for Force India, just I drive for a British team, it canwork wonders and do great for both the driver and the car."
Hamilton is disappointed at how the season has panned out forthe Woking-based Mclaren outfit so far.
"It has been a struggle this year for us. In the firstpart we faced a lot of problems with the pit stop while in the second half wehave struggled with the tyres," Hamilton said.
Hamilton is fourth, 62 points behind Vettel who is at thetop while Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is six points behind him.
While McLaren have slipped to third in the constructors'standings – six points behind Ferrari and 83 points adrift of leaders anddefending champions Red Bull.
"We are hoping to salvage things and fight for theConstructors' title till the very end. It is difficult but it can bedone," said a positive Hamilton.
On the question of replacing the legendary MichaelSchumacher in the Mercedes team, he feels that those are very big boots tofill.
"Michael has been a phenomenon. He is a legendarydriver and I am looking to continue the good work with the German team."
Leaving a team that he had been with since when he was 13,was not easy for the Brit.
"It was a tough decision to leave a team with which Ihave been since I was a teenager. But, these things happen and who knows maybesomeday before I end my career I might even be racing in a Ferrari car!"
Praising Championship leader Sebastian Vettel and Red Bullengineer Adrian Newey, Hamilton said "When I won the world championship, Iwasn't as lucky as Sebastian, who has got a ridiculously fast car. "Adrianhas done something tremendous with his car. It will help him to be dominant thenext year as well," Hamilton said of the 25-year-old German who is chasinga third championship in a row.
"As for me, for the rest of the year now it's just totry and help the team win the constructors' championship," added Hamilton.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone recently said that Hamilton joiningMercedes team is an "inspired" move and will motivate the Germanoutfit to raise themselves tremendously.
Hamilton feels that "the new challenge at Mercedes isan important step in my career and racing with my close buddy Nico Roseberg isan added benefit."
He feels proud to have played a part in making F1 a completesport which has a place for everyone in it. F1 was an all 'white' sport beforeHamilton became the first coloured driver to race.
"It is great if I have managed to break the barrier anddo something like what Tiger Woods did for golf. I have played my own part init and am happy with the achievement.
"Very few sportspersons are so privileged to have an impacton the game they play and if I have managed to do something like that, it is anhonour for me."
With a packed schedule, Hamilton rarely gets to follow othergames, but he likes tennis and cricket.
"I am a fan of West Indies cricket team and I am amazedby the Indian cricket team who have such excellent batsmen in the team."
McLaren last won the constructors' title in 1998, althoughthey would have won the 2007 championship had the team not been stripped of alltheir points for a scandal involving leaked Ferrari data in their possession.
"To go out on a high and help the team win the championshiplike that would be fantastic," Hamilton said.