Lewis Hamilton has recalled “one of the most challenging” periods of his life, when he lost a contract with McLaren.
Hamilton was signed up as a teenager to the Woking-based squad's junior programme, having convinced Ron Dennis of his talents for the future.
During his junior career, Hamilton also worked with his current Ferrari team boss, Frederic Vasseur, taking up one of the seats in his F3 team.
Hamilton explained he was itching to make his way into a full-time F1 seat while part of the junior categories, but revealed his prospects took a significant hit when McLaren ceased its association with him.
"I worked with Fred in Formula 3, 2005,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. “It was an interesting period of time for me in my life.
“I was obviously, as every young kid, in a rush to get to F1, hoping that I could potentially get there and never knowing when that chance would come.
"I would call Martin Whitmarsh every week asking him when I could get in the car. In 2005 when GP2 came out, I was pushing to go because I thought there was an opportunity to win it in the first season, being that it was a new class.
“We actually came out of a contract, which was kind of crazy. I lost my deal with McLaren at that time, which was one of the most challenging periods of my life.
“I managed to get to the next races in Formula 3 and then won them and got my contract back.”
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'Life changed' after positive GP2 campaign
Hamilton joined GP2 in 2006 and won the title before McLaren opted to sign him alongside reigning champion Fernando Alonso in 2007.
"Then in 2006 I had that year which was mega,” he said. “I remember the first test with Fred in Jerez. Coming back in and seeing his reaction was obviously really positive.
“I knew that everything he saw would go back to Ron. Then just standing with Ron, I would just always remember standing with Ron in Monza on the grid in front of Kimi's car.
“That was kind of the moment my life really changed.”
Hamilton won the F1 championship in his second season in 2008 and spent several more seasons at McLaren before departing for Mercedes in 2013.
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