He became a 15-time NHRA Funny Car champion, but Englishtown provided him with one of his first pedestals.
Early on in 2011, it was clear there would be a new champion in the luxury-car segment, and it would be either BMW or Mercedes.
Hamilton, who became Formula 1's youngest world champion in 2008, struggled in a poor car at the start of the season.
But six-time world champion Michael Schumacher will not get back into the car until the third week of January.
BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | 'Tough times ahead' for Montoya
One reason a hate crime has been ruled out, Champion said, is that the teens in the car that morning could not see whether Johnny Butts was black or white.
Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan was 13th after starting 19th in the 25-car field.
Naysayers lament the controversial Car of Tomorrow and the dominance of five-time champion Jimmie Johnson.
He was sent a lap down by Kyle on lap 279 and was part of a three-car dustup about 20 laps later that also involved defending series champion Brad Keselowski and Casey Mears.
"I think we definitely have a future world champion at hand -- but of course we have to give him the car to allow him to prove his talent, " declared Williams.
The seven-time world champion, who retired in 2006, was unable to drive Ferrari's 2009 car because of the ban.
The Algarve test will be the first time Hamilton has driven an F1 car at speed since clinching the title and becoming F1's youngest ever champion in Brazil last November.
"It's a real bonus for us to be so high up, and that's all down to the hard work that the team have put into this car, I can't thank them enough, " said the 2008 world champion.
应用推荐