(Motor) Oil on Canvas: An Unusual Lewis Hamilton Painting

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In celebration of Lewis Hamilton's victory in 2008, McLaren and Mobil 1 asked artist David Macaluso to create a portrait of the world champion. Macaluso's medium? The oil from Hamilton's winning car.

"I've been recycling used motor oil into paintings since 2005, so it was exciting to do a portrait of Lewis, and it was a privilege. When people look at my portrait of Lewis Hamilton, I want them to know it contains the Mobil 1 that circulated inside his Mercedes-Benz engine," Macaluso said in a press release.

Just 50 prints of the painting are in existence, and each is a prize at a competition at www.mobil-1.co.uk. The painting's first public viewing will occur at a VIP customer event before the 2009 British GP.

Lewis Hamilton, who is struggling in the back of the grid this season, said, "I've always known that the Mobil 1 in my race car is an important component that can give us an edge over our rivals in some circumstances, but I'd never have guessed you could use it to paint with; the oil gives this picture a unique look and feel."

(Click the image at right for a larger version)

Source: Exxon Mobil, David Macaluso

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