LEWIS HAMILTON has won the Formula One World Championship in just his second professional season.
He became the youngest driver, at just 23, to claim victory in the World Championship and the first British Formula One champion since Damon Hill in 1996.
It was not easy viewing, though, as he again struggled at Interlagos, where he agonisingly lost the title last season to Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton’s closest rival, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, burst into tears as the young McLaren-Mercedes driver pulled past Timo Glock in the dying stages of the final lap. The Brazilian had been told he had won a fairy-tale victory in front of his home crowd, only to have it snatched from him 38 seconds later.
However, a quick look back over the season reveals that, yet again, Hamilton did not win the most grand prix, taking only five compared to Massa’s six. Add the point deductions and controversy that surrounded his successful campaign and his victory is all the more incredible.
Of course, the reaction of the British press in attempting to propel him to greatness is inevitable, but therein lies a cautionary tale: the higher he rises, the harsher the criticism when he falls. No longer does Britain will him to win – they now expect him to, and this will place great strain on his young shoulders come the start of next season.
The worry is, having done it once, can Hamilton handle the pressure of expectation? If Ferrari bring their car up to speed, and Massa continues his winning form, next season will provide an even greater challenge. Some hope Hamilton can dominate like Schumacher once did, but this seems both unlikely and perhaps undesirable.
Formula One has seen a revival since the great German’s retirement. Although no other team seems able to break the Ferrari-McLaren dominance, there is an abundance of talented young drivers ready to challenge should Hamilton falter.
One thing is certain though: Hamilton is no longer in danger of being a Great British nearly man. He is a World Champion.
The question now is will he fade, like Raikkonen and Alonso before him, or can he maintain the composure that is characteristic of true greatness?
1. Mig31
Alonso faded??? He’s the driver that scored most points since Spa!!! He’s proved he really is responsible for major performance gains wherever he goes. And Raikkonen; if he gets the car the way he wants it next year with slick tyres; we’ll see if he’s faded!