Formula One news

Lauda believes Hamilton can win championship

Three-times Formula One world champion Niki Lauda believes Lewis Hamilton can win the F1 championship already in his first season in the series. Lauda believes the young Briton is clearly already as fast as double world champion Fernando Alonso.

"It may seem absolutely amazing but yes, I can see Lewis winning the championship," Lauda told The Guardian. "He is clearly already as fast as his McLaren team-mate, Fernando Alonso, despite the fact that he is completely new. He has a clear mind to face the challenge of formula one."

Laude furthermore said: "He genuinely has the chance to win the world championship at the first attempt, assuming of course that he can develop the necessary understanding and close relationship with his engineers when it comes to interpreting precisely what he wants from the car.

"Lewis has shown himself to be incredibly mature and strong-minded. To be honest, he has rather stunned me. I can't remember being so impressed with a young driver in his first season of world championship competition. If his learning curve continues to climb as it has been doing over the first four races and if the team are capable of improving their car's performance to create an advantage over Ferrari, the title battle will be fought out between Lewis and Alonso."

more news

• 13 Oct.
  • Alonso willing to help Massa
  • Brawn: China won't be any different
  • Hamilton blames Massa for crash
  • Kubica not giving up on championship
  • Alonso confident for last two races
• 12 Oct.
  • A point and a crash for Red Bull
  • Ferrari salvages eight crucial points
  • Kubica takes BMW's eleventh podium of season
  • McLaren reels from major blow
  • Second win crowns major Renault pay day
  • Bourdais penalty hands Massa extra point
  • No joy for Williams in Japan
  • Four home points for Toyota
  • Pointless day for Honda
  • Mixed feelings for Force India
  • Hamilton admits mistake, vows to stay aggressive
  • Delighted Alonso celebrates victory
  • Untouchable Alonso storms to second victory
  • Photos: Sunday at Fuji
• 11 Oct.
  • Honda to announce 2009 driver line-up after the season
  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope

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