Jackie Stewart Tips Hamilton For Title

[JamesB 0]

Taken from BBC sport:

Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart believes Lewis Hamilton could win the world title in his debut season.

The 22-year-old Englishman became the first driver to finish on the podium in his first three Grands Prix when he came second in Bahrain on Sunday.

And Stewart told the BBC he could usurp team-mate Fernando Alonso as champion. "It's not inconceivable it could be done this year because McLaren look like the team to beat. If not, expect it within the next three," he said.

"He is, of course, driving for one of the best teams in the world at the present time, with a competitive car, but nevertheless he's been able to accomplish more in a shorter time than any driver I've ever seen enter Formula One." Hamilton's third place in Australia made him the first debutant to finish on the podium since Jacques Villeneuve was second to Williams team-mate Damon Hill in Australia in 1996.

He followed that up with second in Malaysia and his runner-up spot behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa in Bahrain leaves him tied on points with Spain's Alonso and Finn Kimi Raikkonen at the top of the world championship with 14 rounds left.

No driver has won the title as a rookie, barring the inaugural world championship in 1950, and Stewart says Hamilton is likely to make some mistakes in the future.

But the Scot insists that Hamilton could be a world beater for years to come. "It's no easy matter getting into Formula One and attacking the great talents that are out there," Stewart told Radio Four.

"For a new driver to do that with such consistency and not to be making the kind of mistakes that new drivers usually make is in itself a remarkable achievement.

"It's not unusual for a driver to do very well in his first year and have a bit of a dip in the second year. That's par for the course. "But I think within the next three years, Lewis Hamilton will certainly be in contention and could easily win the world championship."

SOURCE:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6558767.stm

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I would be very suprised if Lewis wins the title in his first season, but it's possible.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

BBC dont usually exaggerate the truth in their headlines, so this is a shame. All JYS says is that its not inconceivable as mclaren are the team to beat. Thats not the same as actually tipping Hamilton for the title!

[Max Mosley 2]

Interesting comments. If Bahrain is anything to go by, I would almost put him as favourite for the title. Only problem is: that was only one race, and we have to wait a bit to see if he can keep that performance going. Most likely, he will win the WDC in the next few years as JYS says.

[Moose11 0]

Hamilton has every chance but it depends what way McLaren decide to go about things if Alonso has his nose in there come the sharp end of the season and make no mistke Alonso will be there or there abouts. Will they let them fight the bit out or will they go with Alonso and let the rookie wait his turn, chosing to go with Alonso's past experience of a championship fight when it comes to the nitty gritty?

Saying that though, Hamilton is showing me no reason to suggest he couldn't handle the pressure.

One thing though that will be key for Hamilton will be how he does infact handle the adversity of a bad race, broken down car or a crash. It'll be one of the seasons most intereguing moments.

[Shane2 0]

Interesting comments. If Bahrain is anything to go by, I would almost put him as favourite for the title. Only problem is: that was only one race, and we have to wait a bit to see if he can keep that performance going. Most likely, he will win the WDC in the next few years as JYS says.

2 Seconds and a third suggests to me he can very much keep the pace. I think they may be jumping the gun a little bit, as McLaren still have a bit of improving to do on the car but its not inconceivable

[Jenson_Rules 0]

I brought a lovely circular saw today and a nice big table with hand and leg straps. Now all I have to do I capture Hamilton, torture him a bit and pull his eyes out then saw off his legs! That way he will never race again! YAY!

[cavallino 2]

Poor guy, he will forever be Jackie "Jan Magnussen is the next Senna" Stewart

There is a tendency to believe that just because Lewis has passed all his tests till now, he will inevitably do the same for everything he faces later. It's probable, but hardly inevitable.

[Shane2 0]

I brought a lovely circular saw today and a nice big table with hand and leg straps. Now all I have to do I capture Hamilton, torture him a bit and pull his eyes out then saw off his legs! That way he will never race again! YAY!

No offence, but you are rather sad.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I brought a lovely circular saw today and a nice big table with hand and leg straps. Now all I have to do I capture Hamilton, torture him a bit and pull his eyes out then saw off his legs! That way he will never race again! YAY!

why have you gone back to being a hamilton-hater? PLEASE dont tell me its just because of the hype surrounding him, you should make your own mind up on a driver & what you admire, and ignore whatever the press say

[Wez 0]

BBC dont usually exaggerate the truth in their headlines, so this is a shame. All JYS says is that its not inconceivable as mclaren are the team to beat. Thats not the same as actually tipping Hamilton for the title!

Go read the BBC quote in my thread on Hamilton & the British press. BBC are now rated lower than the Afghanistan national TV channel in my view!

[JayStorm 0]

I'm with Jenson_Rules.

I read this article in the paper today.

Nothing too surprising, since he's in the same ring of people as Martin and co.

[Jenson_Rules 0]

why have you gone back to being a hamilton-hater? PLEASE dont tell me its just because of the hype surrounding him, you should make your own mind up on a driver & what you admire, and ignore whatever the press say

No no, not the press really. I just hate his guts and get ****ed off with everyone bumming him just cos he has done 3 good races, and so he ****ing should have done, he's in a potential WCC winning car, has been nurtured for 11 years by Ron Dennis and co and is 22, which is quite old for a rookie against Alonso, Raikonnen, Heidfeld and Button! Oh and he's been testing for Mclaren for a while now as well!

[Jem of the Shire 0]

No no, not the press really. I just hate his guts and get ****ed off with everyone bumming him just cos he has done 3 good races, and so he ****ing should have done, he's in a potential WCC winning car, has been nurtured for 11 years by Ron Dennis and co and is 22, which is quite old for a rookie against Alonso, Raikonnen, Heidfeld and Button! Oh and he's been testing for Mclaren for a while now as well!

So he's doing a fantastic job, everyone's bumming him, why is that his fault? Thats a ridiculous reason to dislike him! Hamilton doesnt exactly ask people around the world to worship him does he? He just gets on with his job, does it very well, and his feet are still completely on the ground. Stop being silly

[Max Mosley 2]

Why do people become Hamilton haters? Seems to me they're just setting themselves up for 15 years of torment as he breaks more records at the top of the sport.

[Autumnpuma 0]

why have you gone back to being a hamilton-hater? PLEASE dont tell me its just because of the hype surrounding him, you should make your own mind up on a driver & what you admire, and ignore whatever the press say

So he's doing a fantastic job, everyone's bumming him, why is that his fault? Thats a ridiculous reason to dislike him! Hamilton doesnt exactly ask people around the world to worship him does he? He just gets on with his job, does it very well, and his feet are still completely on the ground. Stop being silly

That's part of his Divinity. Amen.

Seriously, the only thing that I've noticed, and it's a good thing, is that on the starting grid Hamilton asks not to be disturbed by the wandering press. He's granted that bit of time by the press, to better get himself into a 'battle' mindset, and I like that. What I don't like is how the British press lambasted JV and MS for doing the same thing (MS had to literally run away from the press and JV sequestered himself in the c#ckpit before a race). A bit of a double-standard...

[dribbler 6]

No no, not the press really. I just hate his guts and get ****ed off with everyone bumming him just cos he has done 3 good races, and so he ****ing should have done, he's in a potential WCC winning car, has been nurtured for 11 years by Ron Dennis and co and is 22, which is quite old for a rookie against Alonso, Raikonnen, Heidfeld and Button! Oh and he's been testing for Mclaren for a while now as well!

That's insane in the Jenbrain.

So he's doing a fantastic job, everyone's bumming him, why is that his fault? Thats a ridiculous reason to dislike him! Hamilton doesnt exactly ask people around the world to worship him does he? He just gets on with his job, does it very well, and his feet are still completely on the ground. Stop being silly

Absofurkinlutely.

Why do people become Hamilton haters? Seems to me they're just setting themselves up for 15 years of torment as he breaks more records at the top of the sport.

I raise my drink to the notion Sir Graham.

That's part of his Divinity. Amen.

Seriously, the only thing that I've noticed, and it's a good thing, is that on the starting grid Hamilton asks not to be disturbed by the wandering press. He's granted that bit of time by the press, to better get himself into a 'battle' mindset, and I like that. What I don't like is how the British press lambasted JV and MS for doing the same thing (MS had to literally run away from the press and JV sequestered himself in the c#ckpit before a race). A bit of a double-standard...

I like it too. It shows utter control and confidence. Plus, it make sense. A bit like Hamilton generally.

[Max Mosley 2]

Seriously, the only thing that I've noticed, and it's a good thing, is that on the starting grid Hamilton asks not to be disturbed by the wandering press. He's granted that bit of time by the press, to better get himself into a 'battle' mindset, and I like that. What I don't like is how the British press lambasted JV and MS for doing the same thing (MS had to literally run away from the press and JV sequestered himself in the c#ckpit before a race). A bit of a double-standard...

Perhaps but in the grand scheme of press double standards it is really tiny. Also, Hamilton is a rookie and, even more unusually, one driving for a WDC-challenging team, so the situations are slightly different. If Hamilton is still getting special treatment 2 years into his career I will be more critical.

I raise my drink to the notion Sir Graham.

I'll join you!