Hill: Hamilton Next World Champion

By Sam Cooper
March 7 2007

His comments come after the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has continually proven that he is a fast and consistent driver, both in the mild but sunny Spain tests and in the sweltering Bahrain tests.

At the time Damon was speaking with PA, and said, “There's a pattern that develops in grand prix racing, one that you recognise. At the moment it has to be Lewis Hamilton. He fits the template, although I know Jenson (Button) won't take that lying down.”

"Obviously, David (Coulthard) during his time carried a lot of hopes with him, while Jenson is still very much a shining light. A lot of people have invested a lot of hope in him that he will pull it off. We know Jenson can win grands prix now, while Honda are always knocking on the door. But now we have Lewis. He is in the right place, with the right team at the right time, with his only obstacle being the two Ferraris and his team-mate (Alonso)."

Damon is certain that the young Brit has entered Formula One, at the right time, and with mentor Ron Dennis he thinks that things are looking good for Lewis” Ron has advised and guided Lewis, and he has avoided many of the pitfalls other drivers have fallen into without a good adviser," Hill said. "It may well be we will look back at Jenson's career - and he may look back on it too - and say it was screwed up at the beginning because he was wrongly advised or with the wrong team."

Who will be champion, we don’t know because it’s the glamorous unpredictable world of Formula One.

Lewis, will start testing at Melbourne, along with all the other teams on the 16th of March.