The road car is like a bus. I hate driving it: Hamilton

In an exclusive chat with TOI, Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton of Britain opens up about Indian Food, street circuits, Ronaldo, Bob Marley and The Beatles. Excerpts...
Do you get time to visit the West Indies, your real home?
My granddad lives there and also my aunt and cousins. For me when I think of home, that's where my roots are from. I try to go there at least once a year.
Your thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ronaldo loves to be in the limelight, doesn't he? I just like to drive fast.I don't like to take my shirt off.
Other than motorsport, is there any other sport you follow?
I try to play every sport. I was in the athletics team, in 800 metres... I did cross-country running, I did javelin, I did discuss. So, I tried to compete in all those. Then I played cricket. I was in the football team with Ashley Young. At that time I was slightly bigger than Ashley. He was the skilled one but I was bigger and stronger. He kind of stayed away from attackers. But now he's bigger than me and incredibly successful. I played in the centre mid-field. I was racing and was training hard so I was the fittest in my team. I was so fit that I would run up and down the pitch. I could run longer than everyone. I was also the captain of the basketball team. I also learned swimming. And I am the only person in my family who can swim (No one in my family can swim). Even now, I try everything. I like to ski, cycle, like to swim, run and like to row... I play squash, I play badminton, like jet skiing. I am not the best in everything but I like to try everything. I like to explore and enjoy life because you don't know when your time's up.
How were you introduced to motorsport
I was introduced to radio-control cars and started go-karting in Barcelona. It was like a little Monza. That was when I knew what I wanted to do, that's what I wanted to do all my life.
Do you enjoy driving a roadcar?
I don't really enjoy driving away from the track. Going from an F1 car to a road car is like driving a bus while F1 car is like a jet.
Did you get any tickets for speeding?
We all make mistakes but people take advantage of that. There are worse things that I have done, but seven police cars turned up with all their lights flashing like I had killed someone. I try not to be open to those things. I don't regret any of it thought because they help shape me as a person.
Which was your best F1 season?
My best season was in 2007 because it was my most consistent year. In 2009 and 10 I had a difficult time with the car and 2011 was a bad year for me personally. Kimi (Raikkonen) is one point behind me right now. I have qualified at the front row of the grid for the first 7-8 races of the season. Now we are in the fight. Where we have been and where we are going is promising.
How do you rate the performance of Ferrari?
Ferrari generally had a good car, but in 2009 a new set of rules were introduced. Red Bull came out first with their updated car and every year they have tweaked it. Rules have changed a bit going into Hungary. Ferrari adapted their car in the direction of Red Bull while we have gone the other way. For a change, people have started copying something from our car.
Are you a foodie? Do you have a sweet tooth?
I like Harry Bo, Cherry sweet candy. I don't like pies though. I try to eat healthy and staying fit has become part of life. I had mum's chicken fajitas, which were not good for me. I had to go for a run the next day. We have roti in the Windies. I can't get it anywhere in Europe. I love Indian food but haven't had an Indian dish for sometime. I have just moved to Monaco and I haven't found an Indian restaurant there. I love tikka masala and the spicy stuff, love vindaloo as well. I had some Indian bread at Bukhara at Linking Road.
Now that you're in India, do you intend to visit the Taj Mahal?
I would love to go there. If I can squeeze it in my schedule I'll try and come a couple of days earlier. I really want to go there as I have watched it so many times in the movies.
How do you rate the Buddh International circuit?
It is a great circuit. Sometimes tracks lack character, but not this one. The Indian GP circuit has a great last couple of corners and is good for overtaking. I hope my car is better than the one I had last year.
Which is your favourite track?
I get asked this by a lot of people and I usually say Monaco because I love street circuits. I have driven on 20 circuits. The most challenging street circuit is Macau. Each lap there takes a quick 2:13 minutes. I learn every circuit really fast.
Who are your sporting idols?
I met Muhammad Ali recently and it was a dream come true. He was not in the best physical condition because of Parkinson's. I couldn't have a chat with him. I always dreamt of doing that. I also met Usain Bolt at a nightclub in London a couple of years ago and I told him, 'You are incredibly fast' but he said, 'No you are fast!'
Are you a music-loving person?
I always played the guitar and I enjoy putting music together on the computer; like The Weeknd. I have 13,000 songs from Beatles, Bob Marley, Rolling Stones and Drake. I listen to a lot of R&B. I am open-minded about music. I also love going to the recording studio and watching Nicole play.