!5P! Lewis Hamilton - Formula One Champion and Global Brand

It was probably the most nail-biting, right-to-the-wire race ever to take place in Formula One and on Sunday 2nd November 2008, floors all over the United Kingdom were pounded by hundreds of thousands of feet as racing fans literally jumped for joy when Lewis Hamilton finally achieved his dream: to become the Formula One World Champion.

Hearts leapt at the last when Timo Glock fell back and Hamilton made the fifth place he so desperately needed to get him those vital points, taking him just one point above Felipe Massa to clinch the revered title.

A few days, on as the celebrations reside, we can't help think about how this life changing experience is going to affect Lewis Hamilton, the youngest ever Formula One World Champion, who is now on course to become a global brand and possibly the highest earning sports person in history.

Born on the 7th of January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire and named after nine-time Olympic gold medal winner Carl Lewis, Hamilton's racing career started at the age of eight at Rye House Kart Circuit in his home county. It wasn't long before he started to match his namesake's winning ways and at the age of ten he knew just what he wanted to be when he grew up: approaching Ron Dennis, McLaren Formula One boss, for an autograph he bluntly told him he would one day be racing his cars!

As Hamilton's dream of making a career in motor racing gradually became reality over the years, his dedication to becoming a winner strengthened. But did he realise that not only would he become a Formula One hero, he would also become a world record holder, a global brand and probably one of the highest earning sports people in the world?

At only 23 years of age Lewis Hamilton has a good ten years left to reign over Formula One, and it has been estimated his earnings by 2012 could clock in at a staggering £500million, providing he keeps winning of course.

Currently occupying the top podium spot for the title of highest earning sports person is Tiger Woods who is set to have earned around a billion dollars from sport by 2010.

But whilst Lewis may not yet be on pole for this particular race, becoming a global brand will bring a substantial boost to his overall earnings thanks to a combination of his championship win; the fact that unlike other sports, Formula One is known throughout every continent of the world; and of course because of his sheer likeability and appeal to people of all ages and genders.

So with years of motor racing ahead of him, the only way seems to be up for Lewis Hamilton, the ordinary boy-done-good from Hertfordshire who has already, and will continue to inspire thousands of parents and children, showing them that nothing is impossible and that dreams really can be achieved if you work hard enough at achieving them.