Hill: Hamilton's title will be first of many
Tuesday, 04 Nov 2008 16:15
Lewis Hamilton will be "difficult to stop", according to Damon Hill
British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) president Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton will be "difficult to stop" in his quest to win more formula one world titles.
Hamilton became the youngest F1 driver in history to win the world championship, at the age of 23 years and 301 days, in just his second season in the sport.
And Hill, who was the last Briton to win the drivers' crown in 1996, says Hamilton has the potential to be one of F1's greatest stars.
"Lewis is a tremendous talent, a great ambassador for British motorsport and possibly one of the greatest drivers we have had in this country," the veteran said.
"He has got a world championship in the bank and I think he is going to be difficult to stop from now on."
Hill said he felt "despair" when Hamilton was passed by Sebastian Vettel with two laps to go, surrendering the vital fifth place that would guarantee him the world title.
It was only on the final corner of the race, when the McLaren man darted inside Timo Glock's Toyota, that he snatched the position to see him pip Ferrari's Felipe Massa to the title by a single point.
"The rain at the end seemed to throw Glock incredibly," the BRDC chief continued.
"Lewis at one point had got it wrong but actually it turned out to be Timo that had made the mistake. My congratulations to Lewis, Lewis' family and to McLaren - it is so good to be celebrating a British world champion."
Hill effectively gave up the opportunity to defend his drivers' championship in 1997 when he was dropped by Williams, rejecting offers from several teams to sign for perennial backmarkers Arrows.
However, he sounded a warning to Hamilton that "expectations will be higher than ever" and the season would be "a whole new experience… as world champion".
"But he will also receive unbelievable support from the fans - nowhere more so than at Silverstone for his home race," Hill continued.
"A British driver as world champion, driving for a British team - now we can look forward to an unbelievable British grand prix in June.
"We are looking forward to welcoming Lewis back to Great Britain as a world champion."