There was a time when discussions between McLaren and the Hamiltons failed, and the Woking-based team decided to part ways for a short while. But it was amidst an F3 season with two races to go. Therefore, Lewis Hamilton and his father were anxious about where will the money come from for the remaining races. In a surprising turn of events, it came from the father of a former romantic partner, reveals Hamilton in his book. However, there was a problem. The sponsor was soon convicted of a massive $96 million fraud.
Before breaking into F1, Hamilton used to date Jodia Ma, the daughter of a Hong Kong businessman, Ma Bo-kee. In his book, Hamilton has in deep told that McLaren wanted him to stay with Manor in F3 for the 2005 season, but Hamilton wanted to move on.
Hamilton’s stubbornness irked McLaren and broke the agreement. But it was well amidst the 2004 season, and a couple of races were still left. Therefore, he needed money to complete the season, and after failing to acquire any funds, her ex-partner came as a relief.
Lewis Hamilton got rescued by a disgraced businessman only to fail
Though Hamilton had to vie in two more races, Jodia Ma’s father’s company only sponsored him for one race held in Macau. However, Hamilton made a huge blunder even with that rare opportunity.
“So I went to Macau and won the first race with Jo’s dad’s company livery on my car but unfortunately crashed out on the second lap of the main race, having started from the pole position. It was one of my life’s most disappointing races, ” Hamilton says in his book.
After this, Hamilton was supposed to fly to Bahrain with no sponsors for the next year. The Brit thought his whole career would end, but as they say, tough times create heroes. Manor itself funded his last race as a gesture since the two sides were together for around three years, and that one good day on the track made him the star he is today.
While Hamilton climbed, Ma Bo-kee saw his fall
In Bahrain, Hamilton climbed from the end of the grid to win the main race. That performance is hailed as one of the best performances in F3 and propelled McLaren to take him back into their fold. Since then, Hamilton has never looked back and become a seven-time world champion.
Meanwhile, a few years later, Ma was convicted of $96 million in fraud (£78 million). As per Daily Mail, Ma’s company Moulin Global Eyecare Holdings, which made glasses for several world-leading brands, faced 16 charges, each carrying a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.
While Hamilton made his debut for McLaren in 2007, Ma declared bankruptcy. That year also, Jodia and the F1 star announced their split. Though, the two claimed to remain friends even after that.
