Alexander Prema: Lewis shows the highest class in everything

      Lewis Hamilton is starting a new chapter in his illustrious career as a Ferrari driver, and although this is a new team for him, he has known Frederic Wasser, its leader, for a long time. In the youth series, he played for the ART team, co-owned by Wasser, and in 2006 he won the title in GP2, which has now become Formula 2.

      Lewis' teammate at that time was French racing driver Alexandre Prema, who now spoke about those times in an interview with the official website of the championship, without hiding that he highly appreciates Hamilton's talent and capabilities.

      "When Lewis signed a contract with ART for 2006, I realized that I wasn't going to have the easiest season,– Prema recalled. – Wherever he played – in karting, in Formula Renault, in F3 – he was always the best of the best. But he was also a good reference point, and I had the opportunity to test how I would handle the case compared to him.

      During the pre-season tests, we immediately got along well, communicated well, and worked well with the team. Lewis went about his business, I went about mine, but the team shared all the information with both of us, trying to help achieve the best possible results.

      To be honest, there was never any friction between us, even when he beat me! By nature, I am a calm and relaxed person, perhaps sometimes even too much. But I had great respect for Lewis' achievements and the way he worked. Even in the days of GP2, he was distinguished by his attention to all the nuances.…

      Frederic Wasser moved from F3 to GP2, from there to Formula 1, worked at Renault, at Sauber, and now he has become the head of the Scuderia – it seems that everything is working out for him. In the two years that he's been at Ferrari, we've heard only good things about him and his working methods. Although I don't think that back in 2006, Fred could have said that he would become the boss of the Ferrari team!..

      In all the episodes where Lewis performed, he demonstrated speed and strength. I don't want to say that I'm his number one fan, but I'm just following his career in Formula 1. Of course, there are other great drivers, but I'm watching what Lewis does, how he drives, how he overtakes, how he treats business, how he talks to people. – from my point of view, he shows the highest class in everything.

      Of course, a lot of time has passed since 2006, but it still feels like Hamilton and Vasseur have a lot in common. I think they can tell each other when they remember old stories about how they won races together.:

      Fred is great at bringing people together – he's a funny person, but if necessary, he can be tough. The same can be said about Lewis. I think that together with Ferrari they will become a powerful force. Wasser knows how to talk to Lewis, and Lewis knows what to say to Fred, because they already had such experience in F3 and GP2. I'm just looking forward to the first races of the season, I want to see what they do.

      Lewis is a natural winner. I really believe that he will be able to succeed now. Last year I was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and spent some time with Lewis, we discussed various topics ... I can say for sure that every morning he wakes up and starts training, he has a strong mentality, and he wants to defeat everyone. I am 100% sure of this and I think that together with Wasser they are going to use all this energy."