Harvey Mackay: Desire and discipline drive every champion

Victory in a Formula One race takes a real whiz kid -- someone not afraid to hit 225 miles per hour. "It is the head and not the foot," says team principal Peter Sauber, "that is instrumental in any one driver's achievement."

In the past two years, an African-British star has captured the racing public's eye. Lewis Hamilton is a 23-year-old British Formula One driver for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Sports bean counters are toting up some big numbers for him, including speculation Hamilton will rank with Tiger Woods among the world's best-compensated athletes.

Among his achievements: youngest winner of the F1 championship; first black driver to compete in an F1 race; first black driver to win a major competition at Indianapolis; most pole positions and victories in a first season, and, as a rookie, most first-, second- or third-place finishes.

Hamilton's record may sound storybook, but it's steeped in preparation with a dose of gumption:

• Hamilton learned karate as a kid to fend off local bullies. Today, he's a black belt.

• His father held three jobs to help finance the building of his son's career.

• He began racing go-carts at age 8. He had the goal of driving for McLaren when he was 9 years old.

Hamilton, who lives in Switzerland, visits poor communities in the United Kingdom to inspire kids who need a boost. Who is Hamilton's own inspiration? His younger brother Nic, afflicted with cerebral palsy.

Great athletes may get the gold, but to keep it they need to be disciplined, competent communicators and caring individuals. There's no such thing as a one-dimensional competitor if one wants to make it to the top. This also is true for business managers.

What can parents, budding superstars and businesspeople learn from Lewis Hamilton?

• Pursue goals methodically. While he always wants to win, he has great consistency in taking it one step at a time.

• When you're ahead, stick to it. Race commentator Murray Walker used to say: "With half the race gone, there is half the race still to go."

Breakthrough athletes have surplus motivation to excel. When they smash the ceiling, they soar right on by.