By Cheryl Tay

HE USED to be a fan of the Scuderia Ferrari team and its driver Kimi Raikkonen.

But 11-year-old Daim Hishammudin has since changed his mind after memorable personal encounters with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton this year.

Seeing the former world champion a second and third time was more than just a slice of heaven as the 24-year-old Englishman recognised him and dedicated some of his time to the Singapore-born, Malaysia-based youth kart racer when he was back in Singapore with his family to catch the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

The family spent about $3,500 on 10 Bay Grandstand tickets.

Last year, Daim was also in Singapore for the inaugural Formula One night race.

He was one of the Singapore motorsports enthusiasts whom Nescafe invited to an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Hamilton.

"I think I caught Lewis' attention then because I was the youngest of the lot. I got Lewis to autograph my helmet! This year, there wasn't such an event but I got lucky," said the 2009 Rotax Max Challenge Asia champion (MicroMax class).

"We bumped into Lewis in a public place and he recognised me instantly. He asked about my progress in kart racing and I told him about my recent win."

Hamilton then spent considerable time with Daim as he shared tips about karting with him.

"Lewis was encouraging me to push hard and to keep striving in every race," said a thrilled Daim.

Hamilton started karting at the age of eight and approached then McLaren team boss Ron Dennis when he was 10.

At 13, he became the youngest ever driver to secure a deal with the option of an F1 seat when he was signed up for McLaren's Young Driver Development Programme in 1998.

Today, he holds the record of being the youngest ever world champion in F1, having claimed the honour last year.

After winning the race, Daim bumped into Hamilton again and this time, got the chance to stay close to the Englishman as photographers swarmed round the night-race winner.

Whilst Daim was in Hamilton's company, both his sisters - 13-year-old Dhaniyah and 10-year-old Dorrah - got the chance to meet Hamilton's Pussycat Doll girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.

"Hamilton held Daim close to him throughout the media frenzy. We followed him too but it was Nicole who kept us entertained throughout," said Dorrah.

Disappointment

This season has been a major disappointment for Hamilton as he struggled with McLaren's inconsistent MP4-24.

"I saw how Lewis tried his best and pushed himself hard despite having such a car. I could relate to that as my kart faced technical issues at the last two races of the Rotax Max season, at the most crucial of times when I was fighting for the championship title," said Daim who had bought and read Hamilton's biography prior to this trip.

"I was very touched that Lewis remembered who I am and asked about my progress in karting upon meeting me. Being who he is, he must meet thousands of people so I feel very special indeed.

"My dream is to become an F1 driver and next year I might get some training in Europe. Lewis is very impressive and highly-skilled to be able to become an F1 driver at such a young age. One day, I want to be just like him."

The writer is a freelancer.

npsports@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The New Paper.