What Lewis Hamilton did in GP2 that was so ‘special’ Bernie Ecclestone thought he was ‘cheating’

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Lewis Hamilton is statistically the greatest driver in the history of Formula 1 as the only driver to have recorded more than 100 race wins.

His seven world championships are only matched by Michael Schumacher and his longevity is equally impressive, with only Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen having entered more Grand Prix than the 39-year-old.

Lewis Hamilton first took part in an F1 season all the way back in 2007 and hasn’t taken a break since – unlike the two drivers ahead of him in the F1 appearance records who both needed sabbaticals.

His debut season with McLaren saw him narrowly miss out on a maiden title and he secured his first championship the following year with a dramatic overtake on Timo Glock at the season finale in Brazil.

The rest, as they say, is history, but Hamilton’s prowess was clear to see before he even sat in a Formula 1 car.

Formula 2 chief Bruno Michel was speaking on the Beyond The Grid Podcast about Hamilton’s time in the junior ranks.

When Hamilton was racing at that level it was called GP2 and Hamilton only spent one year in the series having won the Formula 3 Euro Series the year before.

In 21 races, Hamilton only finished off the podium on seven occasions and Michel recalled a race from the British driver that year that was so good that former Formula 1 owner Bernie Ecclestone simply couldn’t believe what he had seen.

It was that moment that confirmed to Michel he was watching a special talent and 18 years later, Hamilton has certainly confirmed that theory.

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Bernie Ecclestone accused Lewis Hamilton of ‘cheating’ after ‘incredible’ GP2 race

Michel was asked about Hamilton’s time in GP2 and said: “Talking about Lewis, it was very interesting because Lewis arrived as a rookie in GP2 and he started the season and I had the feeling that he was very, very strong probably quite special.

“But, he had not put everything together in the same weekend sometimes qualy was not so good, something he was making little mistakes but you could tell that when he was going to be ready, he would be really outstanding.

“And that’s what happened, in Turkey in Race 2 in 2006, it was quite incredible.

“He was starting in front, he span, everybody passed, he went back on the track and he was P17.

“And then, he overtook everybody, absolutely everybody, he was on another planet in this race.

“It was quite funny because at the end of this race, Bernie and Flavio called me and said, ‘You have to check this car, this is not possible, the team is cheating, it’s completely impossible what he’s done’.

“And I said, ‘I will check the car but I’ll tell you one thing, the guy is very special!’

“I was in the office with Bernie and Gerhard Berger and Gerhard was saying to Bernie, ‘This guy is very special’.

“That’s when I thought, wow, this guy is very special.”

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Lewis Hamilton looking back to his best after shaky two years following 2021 disappointment

Hamilton wouldn’t have expected to go more than two seasons without a victory when he stood on the top step of the podium at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

He finally ended that drought in the most emotional of circumstances at this final British Grand Prix with Mercedes.

The Brit followed that up with a podium in Hungary although Helmut Marko blamed him for contact with Max Verstappen that ruined the Dutchman’s chances of a top-three finish.

Hamilton now heads to the Belgian Grand Prix where he has an impressive record although he won’t be expecting to challenge for victory at Spa this year.

However, it’s amazing that Hamilton’s performance in Turkey in 2006 still sticks out in his head after all this time.

He raced through the grid, beating the likes of Glock, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Lucas Di Grassi to finish second in a 23-lap race after a disastrous spin.