BRITAIN'S five-times Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton hit the Superbikes track in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz province) yesterday (Sunday) – literally.
Along with compatriot Alex Lowes, the Mercedes legend took a spin, just after the Superbikes championship final, astride a Yamaha R1, but lost control on the Sito Pons bend and bit the dust.
Although the bike was badly bashed up, Hamilton was uninjured and spent the rest of his day at the Jerez circuit analysing race data and mingling with race riders, and also with Spanish bike engineer Toni Cuquerella, who also joined in the day's non-competitive Superbiking after regular riders had taken to the track for the race.
Whilst Hamilton is better known for his prowess on four wheels, he is a huge motorcycling fan and has several bikes of his own.
He is often spotted whizzing round famous race tracks on his exclusive and personalised MV Agusta just for fun.
Seeing Hamilton in Jerez has led to speculation about his possible future in motorcycling competition, although nothing has been confirmed and he has shown no signs of wanting to trade in Formula 1, or dovetail it with another motorsport.
But he would not be the first: seven-times world champion Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher took part in several Superbikes races after leaving Ferrari and before returning to motor-racing with Mercedes, but did not enjoy the same success as he did behind the wheel.
