Can Lewis Hamilton be as good as Michael Schumacher?

by Ben Smith

As the dust begins to settle on one of Formula One's most enthralling afternoons, Lewis Hamilton will wake up with the glorious realisation that all his boyhood dreams have come true.

His nail-biting fifth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix – allowing him to clinch the title by a single point – will go down as a key moment in the annals of motorsport, but can he now go on to become the sport's greatest champion?

Having conquered Formula One by the tender age of 23, and in only his second season, Hamilton could have more than a decade left at the top of his sport – plenty of time to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships.

Schumacher said yesterday, that his record is there for the breaking - and that Hamilton was in pole position to do it, but do you agree?

After winning his first championship in 1994 at the age of 25, Schumacher dominated the sport for a decade, winning 91 Grands Prix, 72 of which came for Ferrari.

In contrast Hamilton burst on to the scene last year, narrowly missing out on the drivers' championship in a debut season that saw him win four Grands Prix.

However, after becoming the sport's youngest world champion at 23 years, eight months and 26 days can Lewis go on to be as good, or even better than Schumacher? The debate is all yours.

Comments

[Angiox]

Of course, the "rainmaster" who wasn´t able to overpass Vettel; he will win championships with Benneton(i.e. Renault)

Let´s analize this weird championship. The team who ruined his driver chances (Ferrari, remember the pit-stop issue) won the constructor's title. And the team who had a good car and sacked the driver who improved it (Alonso); McLaren win "by the skin of their teeths" the driver's title with one lad who did not prove to be better than Vettel in the last race.

So I think that neither LH nor Ferrari deserved their titles. This remember me that F1 is not an sport but a bussiness.

Next year a lot of changes will be introduced. Maybe some drivers do no adapt to slicks, so let's see what happen instead of dreaming about a new god.

Regards

[javiervivaespania]

Ed, just double-check my email address because I do not want you or anyone else to have any doubt that I am the same javiervivaespania who has been writing in this blog during the past two years. Yes, it is me! I also ask you to publish this comment even if it looks like I have being fooling many of you.

First of all: I am extremely happy about Lewis' win.

Second: I actually dislike Fernando Alonso very much and feel contempt for the wave of thought and feelings that he has been bringing about since he came to the summit of Formula 1. Well, it is not his fault, because these are the sort of feelings that live underneath our society, so he has actually not brought them about, he has just served as yet another instrument to bring them into the open,... for those who can see them. However, I dislike his manners, his lack of sportsmanship, his resentment, his bitterness, his excuses when he fails, and I am allergic to the legion of partisans and bumpkins that follow him.

I started playing around with javier's character to try and overdo the stupidity of many young and not so young Spanish newcomers to F1 whom I had been listening to for a while, babbling their gross comments on Hamilton, but not just on him, also on his father and on the colour of his skin. This was my experience and I was so angry that I decided to introduce javier's character in the blog so my fellow Spaniards writing in it would be tempted to give their true feelings away and align themselves with the fanatic worship of Magic Alonso -to use the name given by the commentator of the Spanish tv channel broadcasting F1 races- instead of pretending being serious F1 fans.

I had lived nine years abroad (four of them in the UK) when I came back to Spain in 2005 and had to readjust to the Spanish press, especially the Spanish sport press. As a child I always thought -by listening to our tv and radio sport journalists- that the fact that we had not won every single title in every single sport was only due to an everlasting bad luck. There was, of course, another factor: the referees were always against us. There were always external reasons to produce good excuses. Despite the changes in our society these feelings die hard.

At the beginning, javiervivaespania’s English command was really bad, later on it became better, although perhaps still not good enough to make anyone suspicious. I have to admit that I was surprised by the positive feelings that he aroused in many people of the blog, who often sympathised with him. Sorry, Anon, I leave you out of this one, you seem to be a fine guy. I even started developing some fondness for Javier and I enjoyed the chances that “our Champion” gave us (javier and me) in the last part of this season to enter the blog and exhibit yet another chain of fanatic comments. Despite javier’s basic profile I added some nuances lately: at least he was not a racist (if you remember his first post, he was not so gentle on this matter at the start), attended church services and wished no harm to Lewis. At some extent, he had become a nicer guy by talking to the other bloggers. Still, I always tried to exaggerate on javier’s personality, and the fact that he remained believable speaks volumes about how actual Magic’s fans think and behave.

I hope we all have being given some food for thought by javiervivaespania. I have learnt something: you have to be careful when creating stories, because your fictional characters end up having their own life. Regarding this, I really liked Daniel’s comment on 14 October this year saying: “Dare I take my 'Fia-rrari' banner or my 'forza javiervivaespania' banner to Shanghai with me ? ;-) I'll be a turn 6, grandstand eight” It is so inspiring to think that someone can do that with the name of a guy who does not exist! I has been a pleasure sharing this two-year long joke with you guys.

[Furio]

Oh yes! Now you stopped comparing Hamilton to Senna and started comparing him to Schumacher!

Well, I just can't answer the question. Only time will tell.

[ALONSO'S MIRACLES]

You must be kidding....

[ALEX B]

You can never, say never but there are some big ifs regarding Hamilton being as good as or better than Michael Schumacher. First of all does Hamilton really have the same level of ability as Schumacher? The jury is still out on that one in my opinion, as I think there are few more noticeable flaws with Hamilton than there were with Michael. Does Hamilton have the same mental drive that Schumi did? Making sure everything is spot on and the best it can possibly be. Will he have the best team/car? Remember it wasn't just Michael; it was Briatore, Brawn, Todt and Byrne.

Finally, and this could be a huge factor, how competitive his opponents are. That’s not to say Michael won all those championships because the drivers he competed against were not very good, but F1 is currently experiencing a boom in driver talent at the moment. There is Kubica, Alonso, Massa, Kimi and Vettel all potential champions for the future. Whereas when Schumacher was racing it was seemed to be a host of good drivers led by one very good driver, Hakkinen, Raikkonen and Alonso. But Hamilton's situation is very different because he has five serious title contenders that are fighting against him. As Hamilton is showing us with his brand new, rather expensive shiny watch in the picture of the original post, only time will tell if he can become the new great of F1.

[FERMIN]

Congratulations Lewis, from Spain. I think that the best driver doesn´t win, and if Ferrari would have a good drivers, they win the race and the year.

Incidentally, what do you think about the british game "Little Hooliganz." If spaniards are racist cause put a hedgehog to the wheel of Hamilton, Are the British violent drunken hooligans ...? It´s a question.

[Gary M]

Yes. He can become as good a driver as Schumacher.

But No, He will not be able to win seven world championships. Schumacher was not only one of, if not the best driver to ever race in F1 but he was also incredibly fortunate to have driven for a team that nt only clearly dominated the rest of the field for years but also ensured that he would always be number 1 driver and was often gifted wins. It is impossible to envisage McLaren ever being in the same position.

Even over the last couple of seasons Ferrari has clearly a better car than McLaren despite the fact that Lewis Hamilton has won more points that either of the Ferrari drivers. This only goes to show what an incredible talent Hamilton is - Just look at the results of his team mate this season. This of course also goes to show (as if we need it) what a great driver Alonso is.

I really believe that Lewis Hamilton will go on to become one of the greatest drivers ever, he will be compared with Senna, Mansell and Prost and justifiably so. And while he may well end up a better driver than Schumacher he will probably not have the chance to prove it.

Next season there will be two Ferrari drivers gunning for him as well as a resurgent Renault team with Alonso back up front. It is going to be tough.

Anyway, I could be wrong, just my thoughts.

[Brabazon]

I don't think he will come close to Schumacher's records - for the simple reason that he is not dastardly enough! Schumacher had absolutely no scruples, was quite prepared to play fast and loose with the rules (if not be a downright cheat), and along with Ferrari almost single-handedly destroyed the sport. I'd given up on F1 completely until Hamilton got me interested again. But I'd rather see good, hard, racing and titles won fairly than see any records being broken. The press fixation with comparing him to other drivers is a non-issue.

Well done Lewis. You've saved F1.

[Érico Calixto]

It's way to easy to tell. Schumacher dominated not only due to sheer speed and talent, but because he was able to have a terrific team built around him who worked nearly perfectly. Lewis seems to be in the same situation at McLaren, but the technical changes to come in the regulations are so big that it will be harder for them to find continuity (sp?). KERS, slicks, very low downforce; it's so many changes at once that it's like everyone's back to zero next season. Schumacher and Ferrari won the most and set the records through lots of changes, but none so big and implemented at the same time as we have for 2009. Anyhow, the records don't tell it but I still think Senna and Prost were the best ever.

[Adam]

Only time will tell. He clearly has an inate racing ability, but the grid is very competitive and there are probably 6 other drivers who could all challenge for the F1 crown.

It will come down to focus and maintaining the desire to win. Luck and relyability will also play their part.

I hope he does well and does not get distracted by the non-race aspects to his life: celibrity and sponsorship to name but two.

[Dean Rodrigues]

- JAVIERVIVAESPANIA

That is simply brilliant. I have no idea how you managed to keep that up for 2 years. But you have really managed to nail home a point, at least to a fair portion of us, and for that you should be lauded over and above anything received by your alter ego for the purposes of hilarity/comedy.

What you have done is reminiscent of what often happens in the USA, where those you have travelled and experienced other cultures return to realise what a shambles parts of the country are in the eyes of the world, particularly in terms of racism. In Spain, the issue seems to be so inherent in the culture that many people (judging by comments on this blog and others) do not even seem to understand and/or appreciate it is occurring. Which, clearly, is not good.

Bringing this back to this blog, Lewis Hamilton CAN, and in my view WILL, get close to and possibly even pass the records set my Michael Schumacher. If he remains in a competitive car, there is no reason why he shouldn't be competing for the Championship ever year for well over a decade, and now that he has won one he will have gained priceless experience in terms of closing out a title and sealing the deal. Bear in mind he could/should already have had two.

Next record to break? Fernando Alonso as the youngest ever double world champion.

Bring on 2009.

[Legis]

Please, Ed, be serious. If you need full the blog you can ask too: Will be Vettel as good as Hamilton?, or even Will be Hamiltos as good as Alonso?, or or, or.
Hamilton is not comparable to Schummi,as either with Senna, because the play/ed different leagues. Senna has not a sequential shift (please, remember yhe thousands of shifts that had to be made in Monaco races, driving with one hand), the cars were turbocharged etc etc. You can compare Senna and Prost, no more.
Schummi had no one to fight against...till FA arrived.
And FA has to fight against LH, FM, KR, SV, etc, so please, just compare similar things.
These seasons are much more interesting because there are much more great drivers, thank to GP2, etc...
Let the time judge

[Ruben]

Only driver won Schumacher is Alonso in 06 with a poor R26, LH wins with the best car vs Masa (isnt superdriver)and best economical team (MCL) its easy win when you are driving since 10 years with team helps you, what happened with Heikki? Yeah, of course LH is like Schumi in bad game driving, not like Senna. Why LH isnt in GPDA?

[Legis]

Another thing: remember the last race of the 2005-2006 WC at Interlagos. Remember the last Schummi race. remember a fighter, a true sportsman. Not the one that just needed be fifth and almost is sixth.

[JK]

Interesting Question. But to answer that, you will need to compare not just the two drivers, but the competition they're up against.
Schumacher was so dominant, he only had real competition in a few of his championship winning years.
For Hamilton, currently he has plenty of competition in the Ferrari drivers and Alonso (if given a decent car).
If Hamilton achieves even three or four titles against this competition, it will be some achievement.
So in answer to the question CAN Hamilton be as good as Schumacher, yes he can. In answer to the question, WILL Hamilton be as good as Schumacher, only time will tell.
My personal opinion is that if Alonso and Renault (or whichever ride he has next year) are competitive from the start next year, Hamilton will have it difficult to retain his title. Over the last eight races, Alonso was the top points scorer in only the third best car over that period.

[Javo]

Amazing how in UK thoughts LH just leapfrogged over a nunch of guys who just happen to have won more than one WDC, and teh logical benchmark now is the only guy who won 7.

Step by step, please.

[Anthony]

overtaken by a toro rosso in the final lap, battling for the title.

wordless

[Alan]

In a word: No. If he ever gets another four championships under his belt, then will be the time to start asking that question.

[Kelvin Baikie]

Hi, of course Hamilton will be as good as Schumacher, when you have the right man in the right place to make phone calls at the right time.
Once again F1 is a farce, I wonder if we will ever get to see Glocks last lap time he put in? Massa was cheated! Any one who watches F1 will know what happened in Brazil yesterday & your a fool if think otherwise.

[LewisNo1]

What a magic moment!
The best driver ever!!
Schumacher, who is he?

Hahahaha, I knew it

What can I say? I'm speechless

Not bad Alonso...but not as good as Lewis...Definitely the greatest!

[Javierg]

LOL, better than Schumacher?
Did you see Michael (or Fernando, or Mikka, Alain) make so many mistakes in a single season?
Fuji or Canada are so far away now.

Come on, he was overtaken by a STR car two laps to the line.

If Alonso has a similar car as Lewis (not even a better car) it will be a walk in the park for Fernando

[Raul]

Comparing him to Schumacher is still a long shot. Let's talk about it when LH has won his 3rd or 4th title (if he does). Now is too soon.
However to accomplish this, he should move to Ferrari. Only in Ferrari he can win as many titles as those. Don't forget McLaren hadn't won since 1999, and this year Ferrari's mistakes helped a lot.

[samia]

Lewis Hamilton is one of kind of a driver no other driver in F1 can drive like him on earth hes the man we all love congrats your the best ever

[DancesLikeAChicken]

Oh puh-leeeeaaase... *snort*

[JoseBelgica]

First congratulations to Lewis from Belgium. You are a lucky B.. ;-)

[Greg]

There is also a possibility that Lewis Hamilton could be the next Jacques Villeneuve...

[MansellFan]

Lewis Hamiliton is a talented driver, very quick and very determined, but as good as Schumacher? No I dont think so, he may win as many or even more titles than MS but will that make him better. Alot of drivers are remembered for how they act off the track as much as on, the person we all see in front of the camera during interviews also helps us as F1 fans to make our minds up. In Britain names like Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart etc are worshipped not just because they were great drivers but because they didnt make excuses or blame others for their mistakes or short comings. Schumacher learnt this, and changed the way he came across to the fans, and he without doubt became a much admired driver in all countries. Young Lewis must change the way he comes across as a person, he must put his hand up and admit when HE is to blame, dont put fault at others door to cover his mistakes as he has done more than once in the past 2 years. This is what makes great drivers out of really good ones. I am not Lewis's greatest fan but I am pleased that GB has another F1 champion, in recent years the british public has really got behind its drivers, who can forget 91 & 92 and the support Mansell got, before we begin comparing this young driver with greats such as Senna & Shumacher etc, lets see if he can command the respect he wants at home. To end, I think if you put MS in a Ferrari today he'd still show the young Lewis the way home.

[Tim]

Although Schumacher had some tuff seasons with car’s that were not the best he had many seasons with a team that were untouchable.
With the new rules coming in it’s hard to see McLaren or any team being that dominate over the next decade.

Also there is a slightly deeper pool of talent now than in Schuies time.

Schuies record will be broken but I doubt Hamilton will do it.
He will still become a legend of the sport winning many titles however

[Maria Da Silva or Gary M]

Ed, I would ask that you please check my email address and see that this is the real Gary M who has been writing on this blog for the last two seasons. I do not want anyone to doubt me.

I have a confession to make, I am not really Gary M the Irish/British/Aussie McLaren fan who loved winding up the crazy Alonso fans last season and supported Lewis Hamilton. I have been misleading everyone all this time.

My name is really Maria Da Silva, I am a 94 year old widow of Spanish descent who is now living in a retirement home in Sri Lanka. In my younger days I was quite a looker you know and was a fairly well known Formula 1 groupie. I could tell you some stories you know but I doubt you would believe me.

Anyhow I cannot believe I fooled everyone for so long, how I managed to keep my undying love for Magic Alonso hidden away only God can know. I looooovvvvveeeee Fernando!!!! He makes this old lady feel like a young woman again.

Now my cat is out of the bag I fear I may have to disappear back to my old life. Viva Alonso everybody.

[Richard]

Will he be as good as Schumacher? It depends on how you measure greatness.

In terms of titles, he probably won't surpass Schumacher's record, but that doesn't necessarily define greatness. Senna won fewer than half the titles Schumacher did, and Clark won fewer than a third, but they're still seen as all-time greats.

Lewis is likely to stay with McLaren for several years, so his success is going to be closely aligned with their's. I hope they give him a car worthy of his talents. However, it would also be good to see him drive for a lesser team at some point, just to see how he gets on. Some of his critics will always console themselves that he's driving a top car, and assert that his success is therefore guaranteed, so to see him in a lesser car would prove it one way or the other.

[Juan Carlos]

It is stupid to compare the "trajectory" of Lewis with the rest (except Raikonen).
Their are 2 seasons with McLaren, where Alonso started with Minardi and Renault all know what came to get (or Prost was able to do so).
My dream would be to see pilots like Hamilton and Massa with the same vehicle and under the same conditions as Alonso.

Viva Alonso ... No 1 for ever

[SimonT]

Am not a particular fan of either LH or MS but in answer to the question the only answer can be: possibly. LH is undoubtedly a gifted driver however, to date, no matter how spectacular his driving has been on occasion he doesn't display the same level of metronomic consistency and dominance that MS (and to a lesser extent AS) possessed. There's always the underlying sense that LH will throw the car off the track for no particular reason...a feeling you never ever got with MS, for better or worse.

[Zoe]

Could we possible start Lewis gently with this goal if we must squeal about it?

Have him aim for Graham Hill with 2WDC
Then Sir Jackie Stewart (or his idol, Ayrton Senna) with 3WDC
Next would be Alain Prost with 4WDC
And Juan Manuel Fangio with 5WDC
Nobody to target for title number 6
But Michael at 7 and going on better than him for WDC title number 8.

Keep in mind that in the entire time that ITV ran F1 it was only in their final year that Lewis won and the last Englishman (because how dare I, a Scot, try and celebrate Lewis' success in any shape or form since he is English) to win was Damon Hill in the last year that BBC had the coverage....

And to everyone who is really desperate to give him a knighthood then please wait until he reaches his 3rd WDC. Both Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Jack Brabham received this honour after managing this (Sir Brabham technically went one further with his 3rd WDC being for a car of his own make) and only Sir Stirling Moss was given this without ever winning a championship. Not even Jim Clark (and I can't be bothered spewing out his records) could manage a 'Sir' and had to make do with a 'OBE'.

Beside, doesn't Ron Dennis (CBE) a man who has been in F1 since he was 18 and worked his way from engineer to team boss and helped fund Lewis' way up the ranks, deserve a knighthood first?

...I'll stop rambling now...

[al_scotland]

Lewis has many years to go until he can be called the master. But indeed the question is open. In MotoGP there is no doubt about the GOAT. Its universally acknowledged that Rossi is the master the greatest of all times and we know he will never be bettered. Slow bike fast bike he cares not for this he wins regardless.

Schumacher? He had a lot of fortune in his times, he battled Damon Hill and other second rate drivers, the frail Hakkinen included, and was usurped by the fiery Alonso. Sure Alonso also is in the mix, who won with a bad car twice, but failed with a good car. Hamilton is also tarnished for the moment by having to beat duds like Massa and Raikonnen. His pace in Brasil was embarrasing and Vettel made him look like a amateur but i think his nerves were frayed and, well, he brought it home, so he did his business.

What we need is the new generation to provide some good competition. Back to the days of Prost, Senna, Mansell... a golden age of drivers.

Lets see Vettel in a McLaren and Alonso in a Ferrari. Too much dead wood in F1, about time Fischicella and Trulli, Barichello and the other slugs give up their long ovedue seats like DC has done gracefully. Give the youth a chance, and let Hamilton herald a new era of exciting competition, rather than procession we have endured these last 10 years.

Schumacher never had the competition, always the fastest car and the most money and the best team. In the end he was coveted by the F1 mafioso, and the ferrari threats to pull out of F1 empowered him. Hamilton won under duress, where most of Schumi titles were over by July. Does this say Schumi was the best, or that he dominated in a weak age of drivers and competing teams?

All I can say is we remember events, not people. I remember Schumi driving Hill and villenuve off the track, I remember his dirty moves and his complete conviction, to the point where other drivers safety was secondary to his aims. I dont remember great overtakes or things, only leading from the front. Indeed I remember Hakkinen taking him superbly, and Alonso breaking his nerve... I also have burned in my memory Lewis overtake on Kimi and his already famous charges through the field.

If any comparison could be made, both drivers showed superior technique at a youthful age. The young Schumi made such charges through the field when he was young.Question is, will Hamilton turn into the dinosaur the Schumi was?

[Sepang]

Hamilton deserve the title(2008).
But winning 7 titles ??
I doubt McLaren can provide competitive car for another 6 titles...

probably with Ferrari .. yes ..

[Graeme Wilson]

Pure speed, whilst the most prized of a grand prix drivers facets is not the sole composition of greatness. Whilst few doubt that Senna was faster than Schumacher, the German’s strategic approach to a championship and to developing the team was much stronger. Similarly whilst Lewis may get close to Michael in pure raw speed... we haven’t seen from him anything beyond the expected from him in terms of Strategy and car development. These skills may develop, although I would doubt to the same degree as Schumacher possessed. Both drivers have proved fallible under pressure; remember Schumacher stalled on the grid of the last race in ’98 leaving Hakkinen to the title, (he’d recovered to 3rd prior to a puncture which is in itself an incredible drive) just as Hamilton’s error in china last year cost him the championship. Only time will tell if Lewis can match Michael, however for my money, I wouldn’t have thought it likely- and had Michael stayed with Ferrari; he’d have won last year and this year.

[HIGGS]

GARY M

By my count, Schumacher was gifted two victories by team-mates (Suzuka 1997 and Austria 2002), so your statement has the potential to be misleading.

LEGIS and RUBEN

The first driver that Schumacher showed any real respect for was Mikka Hakkinen, who beat Schumacher to the WDC in 1998. It is wrong to say that Alonso was the first credible opponent that Schumacher faced.

[Matt Black]

I don't think it really matters.

There's no doubting Schumacher's talent but his records don't account for the details…

A true test of a driver is beating his team-mate. That was never allowed with Schumacher at Ferrari!

Schumacher's career was riddled with mistakes (and dispicable on-track bullying) even in the later years (ask Alonso).

If Senna hadn't been killed, Schumacher would not have won his two titles for Benetton.

After Senna, F1 was devoid of real talent. Only Hakkinen was capable… but how often did McLaren shoot itself in the foot, handing Ferrari wins that shouldn't have happened? So Mika retired, mentally exhausted.

Then Alonso arrived and started beating Schumacher regularly. Raikkonen was also capable of beating Schumacher regularly, but then McLaren kept on shooting itself in the foot. Then Schumacher retired!

My conclusion is that going after records mean nothing.

If Hamilton retired tomorrow, I'd be content in the knowledge that he is at least on a par with Alonso and Raikkonen, even in the adversity he's been subjected to this year.

All I wish is that he doesn't emulate Schumacher by out-staying his welcome.

[D]

^
Nice one, Javier. ;-)

Thanks for the full story.

Be sure to revive him for 2009, though!

^
I think the real answer to the question that is posed for this thread lies in whether, in the years to come, Lewis Hamilton can be as good as Sebastian Vettel.

Lewis may style himself on Ayrton Senna but it's in Sebastian that I see another Michael Schumacher.

And Michael himself is Sebastian's mentor...

ALONSO IS THE BEST HAMILTON OUT

[LUCAS]

@JAVIER

That was a good one! I actually thought it was a real Alonso supporter playing with us, but well done anyway.

As a real lewis detractor, I almost lost my voice shouting at him yesterday, waiting him to make a hamilton-like stupid move on Vettel. But he has not.

Congratulations Lewis! You are the world champion! All the best, and take care not to be the next Hill or Villeneuve...

Now I have to be patient, after all, the exagerations will get worse, and worse... First post? Can Hamilton beat Schumacher records? A bit early to talk about this...

I particularly had a different feeling yesterday. I felt that the guy that deserved most did not win. The most improved driver. A simple guy that does not compare himself to the greatests of the sport. A guy that showed great, great sportmanship.

Congratulations Felipe Massa.

[alex]

javiervivaespania Well done ! 2008 World Windup Champion with no last lap dramas ..... Please do not retire him, F1 needs you, sorry, him and his fantastic rants.

I had not sussed you out as a windup, but did once direct a comment regarding your inconsistent ravings to "JAVIERVIVACOLOMBIA" .... sadly Ed Edited that ..... and I was barking up the wrong tree !

Lewis can surpass Michael, both in status and with WDCs, he really is that good, not just "amongst the all time greats" but I firmly believe he has the sheer natural talent to be The Greatest.

[james b]

Legis - Clearly you don't remember the 2003 world championship where Schumacher finished 8th for the one point he needed to clinch the 2003 title? Hardly convincing that one. Or how about the time he stalled on the grid in Japan in 1998? Unfortunately even the greatest make mistakes.

Kelvin/Laura - Maybe you should check out the last lap at Spa and see how Alonso and Heidfeld came through the field as this may give you an indication of how the performance of slick tyres goes off. Alternatively you could check out the other guys lap/sector times on that last lap and maybe you may be surprised.

[Érico Calixto]

You guys need your chill pills. Ben is asking a question not making a statement. Lewis's record so far is impressive and it does seem as if he'll enjoy a long career driving at top teams. So the possibility is there, even if it is remote and distant. In truth, Schumacher made it look easy but that's as far from the truth as possible. Just look at how hard it has been for Alonso to reach and pass the 20 wins mark.

[Maverick]

Wht a joke !!!
This is British Media: As good it can be...

You guys don't get tired...when Murray wins a Quaterfinal at Wimbledon..you hail him as the next Champion and start dreaming tht he will become Grand Slam winner in no time...and same goes with Hamilton...he has just landed one WDC and you start comparing him to Schumi...its good to have hope...but foolish to be unrealistic.

Hamilton won as his rivals did not perform well...he made more mistake than last year...when he made mistake at Monaco...n still won because he was lucky to make tht mistake at the right time..you still hailed him as the "Master of Rain". So time will tell....McLaren need to provide him with a good car for so many years for him to be fighting for the title...forget about winning few of them to be as good as Schumi...so till then enjoy wht he has today n stop dreaming abt the FUTURE.

[MARIA]

Never.

[María]

Congratulations from Madrid, Spain. Lewis is a great driver. I hope there´s a great "fight" between Hamilton and Alonso next year so we can see a good championship.

[Matthes]

Well done Lewis for keeping your nerves but mostly well done to McLaren for implementing the brilliant last minute tyre strategy under extremely high pressure.
Lewis wouldn't be champion, had they not got him in to change to intermeds 4 laps to finish.

Timo Glock is not to blame as he did the best he could during his last lap on slicks.

Also, well done to Vettel for squeezing past Lewis although he knew that Lewis needed the position to be champion. The question is not whether Lewis is the next Michael, but whether Sebastian Vettel is the new Michael.

As to Michael Schumacher, he is to be regarded as the greatest racing driver of all time. Not only did he manage to win 2 championships with the hopelessly inferior Benneton, but he alone brought Ferrari to where it is today and the team went from being very uncompettitive when he started to absolute perfection in almost all aspects when he was done. Schumacher built the modern Ferrari and the team still benefits from the spirit of greatness he established at the team.

Furthermore, he faced and beat many truly great opponents including Aryton Senna, Damon Hill, Mika, David Coulthard (when he was still young), Jacques Villeneuve and Kimi Raikkonen to mention only a few.

Also I do not agree that his 7 titles are down to good luck, he could have had at least 3 more had he really been fortunate. He really at all times displayed the will to win, which I think is what enabled him to stand out of a crowd of very talented drivers.

Therefore he still is and always will be the mark by which every new champion has to be measured.

[CSF]

Hamilton is part of a new generation of drivers - he was basically raised by McLaren to do this job and got a spot at a top team in his first season, something which would have been unimaginable when Schumacher was starting out.

This implicitly means that he's got more time to beat any records he may want to beat, but even if he can't do it, you can bet on someone else doing it in the relatively near future.

However, if I had to choose at this point I'd say he'll have a very tough job winning as many driver's titles as Schumi, because you can't really say at this point that there's a big difference in terms of driving quality between Hamilton and his peers, as was the case with Schumacher. There's time for it to "develop", but with someone like Vettel breathing down your neck in a Torro Rosso at this point in time, it's quite clear that at least one young gun is ready for Hamilton's challenge. Not to mention guys like Alonso, who would've easily won last year with the proper support, surely this year as well with the car McLaren had at their disposal, which would've made it four for him. At only 27, I think Alonso's got what it takes to win at least two more titles, as long as he's got a competitive care - and judging by how he's improved the Renault this year, it looks very likely.

[Kieran]

Michael Schumacher was a true champion. Lewis Hamilton is inconsistent, also he lacks like ability. Under the circumstances Lewis Hamilton had an easy year of driving.

[Farhan]

I think it's pathetic that people are mentioning Vettel's finish at Interlagos as "proof" that Lewis wasn't deserving of the championship. Vettel had no pressure at all, look at how Hamilton delivered, how easy it is to dismiss that, but the table doesn't lie!

He's a pup, and his win ratio in his first 2 seasons is mightily impressive. But there's no point comparing him to Schumacher, nobody compared Schummi to Fangio after 1 title. Let him write his own history.

[Leonardo Borges]

Itś posible, but unprobable. Hamilton is a good racer, but shummy never had major rivals. Lewis have much more to presentate, but your opponents there are very good recers... Massa and Alonso outpoint him at the end of the championship.

be careful, Hamilton, and so, congratulations!!!

[Radaman]

Juan Carlos is right...
if hamilton was bullied out of mercedes like alonso was, and he was then driving for a team like renault. he would proabably be so annoyed he couldnt get a podium he'd probably quit f1 because he is a sore loser and a rubbish driver. Alonso would have won the chamionship last year had Ron dennis not favoured hamilton. And im looking forward to the new f1 season becuase if alonso stays with renault looks like history wil be repeating itself and he will win back to back championships and i wouldnt be surprised if he goes to ferrari with Vettel (legend for proving hamilton cant drive) Ferrari will win everything until vettel retires

[Steven]

Any objective viewer knows Alonso is the best driver in F1, regardless of whether he is a likeable person or not. If Hamilton had been driving the Renault this year he'd still be finishing off Interlagos now.

Hamilton won less races than Massa, but succeeded because the McLaren was more reliable. In fact, Hamilton's driving was as much a liability as a strength, typified by him going up the back of Raikonnen in the pits. That's a trick any 20 year old can pull. Schumacher moulded a team and a sport around him, Hamilton has nowhere near the strength of personality needed to replicate that.

[tiger]

what on earth are some of you saying about Alonso is better than Hamilton, what about when they were both in the same car in the Mclarens??? They both had the same points! This was Lewis's first season as well. you muppets

[Shaun the Sheep]

Firstly go Hamilton brilliant season, Britain and F1 couldn’t ask for much more but really now take the Ferrari offer and get in the record books.
There is going to have to major driver changes next year ,everyone is looking at the who’s best to what team when the real question is who will have a useable car and which poor drivers will be kicked out in. My bet is watch the likes of Button, Vettel, Kubica, drivers who in their own rite aren’t performing at all on a regular basis and its all down to poor cars.
I still think a few months ago Ferrari where getting the cars ready and Massa jumped in the wrong one. He can’t drive for toffee and only keeps ahead because of the ballistic speed of the Ferrari in a straight line. Want proof check the straight line race between Hamilton and Rakkion a few weeks ago the Ferrari’s are quick, quick to the point it explodes sometimes.
As for future I can really see Hamilton running away with this title, maybe not with Mclaren but defiantly eclipsing so many past drivers. We are now in a time were the crop of younger drivers have bigger shoes to fill and have be going gooey over F1 cars since they could read and write.
And to really add fuel to the Alonso is best fire, does no body remember last year where Hamilton drove the so called super star of F1 to breaking point in his own team, so much so that now he drivers for Renault and can’t even get into the top 3 in most races. Bye Bye Alonso you where fun but best you clear off and eat humble pie!

[ricardo]

Some numbers wich I think are self explanatory:

2008
Lewis Hamilton 98
Felipe Massa 97

2007
Kimi Raikkonen 110
Lewis Hamilton 109

2006
Fernando Alonso 134
Michael Schumacher 121

2005
Fernando Alonso 139
Kimi Raikkonen 112

2004
Michael Schumacher 148
Rubens Barrichello 114

2003
Michael Schumacher 93
Kimi Raikkonen 91

2002
Michael Schumacher 144
Rubens Barrichello 77

2001
Michael Schumacher 123
David Coulthard 65

2000
Michael Schumacher 108
Mika Hakkinen 89

Lewis may win other championships, but in order to do so, I think he needs to:

-Have no serious competitors (notice the low scores of this year top drivers, and that Alonso and Raikkonen were not in the best condition this year for different reasons).

-Get reasonably along with his fellow drivers. I cannot imagine the Kubika/Vettel move in the end of the race done to any other driver. Why is that? It nearly cost him the championship.

Time will tell. He may grow to be an exceptional driver, but he still needs to polish a few flaws. He won this year's championship by sheer luck.

[Richard]

I've seen a few comments alluding to Schumacher's 'metronomic' consistency, but he had his fair share of unforced errors over the years.

His early career in F1 was punctuated by numerous crashes and spins, and let's not forget he drove his Benetton into a wall in the title deciding race of 1994 through a simple driving error. He only won the WDC that year by doing his trade mark ramming of Hill. He was older at the time than Lewis is now, and he'd had more than an extra year of F1 racing experience under his belt.

People seem to forget how young and inexperienced Lewis is, so perhaps it's best to wait before deciding how great he's going to be.

[HAYLEY]

not a chance in hell, he'll not win it again

[Jordi]

Javiervivaespania

You made me smile many times, and for that I thank you. I have to say that I had my doubts about you, it was difficult to believe that someone could be so unhealthy fanatic about a driver. So now I'm just waiting for someone to say thet A Parker was also a joke, it has to be.

Hamilton to be as good as Shumacher, sure! If you read the british press this morning you would think that he is GOD, let alone Shumacher.

[Kirsten! =]]

Lewis will defo be as good as Michael, he is an amazing driver and the fittest guy walking this planet, omgosh he is gorgeouuuuuus! =]
I love him and hope he does mint in the future, which he clearly will, cos he is amaze!
=]
x

[shady]

Lewis is awesome - let's hope he continues to win win win! Records are there to be broken and i am hoping he smashes Schuy's record and continues to beat Massa, Alonso etc...

[Village idiot]

Better than Schumi; not sure. Because Schumacher had the No: 1 status within the team he would benefit from the simple fact that he was always helped to his titles. He never had to race his team-mate and on several occasions they were told to let him pass. We all over-hype Schumi because of the titles, but they were tainted by 'team orders'. Having a team built around you was a huge advantage too, and with Ferrai's millions...........

[Prasoon]

I don't think so - frankly NO!
Schumi had a fire which is lacking in lewis - he might have a spark but that just isn't enough to put him in the league of the greats. This championship - he was just lucky.

The drivers was much influenced by the cars and engines- you can't deny this because Massa would have taken this long ago had his car been reliable. that engine blowup a few races ago on the penultimate lap and many other instances - he just grew exponentially as someone said. Massa wasn't a choice until the beginning or the mid really but after that, his race starts and impeccable poles leave no doubt.

Can anyone name one fiery move that he/she remembers off Lewis this year? overtakes don't really count - I wonder how many noticed that Lewis and Massa were nearly in the same position i.e. at the end in one of the races a lil while ago whilst Massa went onto collect a few points and Lewis just sat behind there blaming one thing or other even unable to overtake the easy ones.

[Benny Menjivar]

OF COURSE NOT. Lewis won the title thanks to Felipe blowing an engine in Hungary and the misfortune pit stop in Singapore, also remember he came to a top car (thanks to the development of Alonso) because the year before Mclaren won nothing. Look at the Renault now, i think Lewis is carrying some momentum but not for long.

[will]

I'm getting sick and tired of those trying to detract from what Lewis achieved yesterday. If he'd gone for the win and gone off, people would have criticised him for being hot headed (like they did in Fuji) now because he tried to play it safe and conservative people are criticising him for being too slow and cautious. None of us here have driven an F1 car, and none of us know how difficult it is in such conditions and with all the pressure of an F1 championship in the balance.

As for those saying Glock threw the race, why on earth would he do that? Glock and Hamilton aren't particularly friendly, McLaren have no hold over Toyota, so why would they help Lewis? The rain got heavier in the final lap, the two Toyotas did almost identical lap times on the final lap. Look at Glock on the final corner, he can hardly keep it in a straight line.

Massa and Alonso fans, engage your brains and stop being such sore losers.

The McLaren team had very good reliability this year and made no big mistakes, like they did the year before. Lewis has had to contend with some very dubious stewards decisions this year, if it wasn't for those he would have won the championship 2 races ago. Count up Lewis's points over the last 2 years, and he's scored more than anyone, that to me says he deserves to be world champion.

Lewis beat Ferrari, beat the detractors in the paddock and he beat the FIA, that's some win.

[MansellFan]

MATT BLACK

Well said, apart from

F1 devoid of talent after Senna...
I think you must have been watching Indy Cart by mistake...

As for your rant, totally agree.

[Gael]

He lost by one point, he won by one point. Fair enough.
Will he beat Schumacher record? Not a chance.
Schumacher started from the bottom and climbed to the top through an iron will and hard work plus, of course, a great natural talent. Schumacher was totally dedicated and, versus Hamilton, didn't scatter through cocktails, "people" evening and all sort of mundane activities.
Does Hamilton compare to him? Only in one thing: a great natural talent. Which isn't, by a long shot, enough.
And Schumacher didn't have to survive the delirious British media...
Oh yes, I was forgetting probably the most important thing: Schumacher was driving for Ferrari.
Does McLaren compare to Ferrari?
Even the Brits wouldn't dare to say yes.

[Oscar_Asturias]

Congratulations to Lewis from the Alonso´s land.
Nobody wins a W.D.C. without merit.
Congratulations to Mclaren.
The 2008 championship has finished on a bright, emotion until the last curve and confirmation that Alonso and Renault have returned.
See you in 2009

[luis tovar]

But he is better than Schumacher NOW ¡ WhAT A QUESTION ¡ wELL DONE LEWIS, YOU ARE THE BEST DRIVER EVER ( HOW PETTY OF THEM ARE THEY MAN)THANKS GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY ( UPPS A HAMILTON FAN AND THANKS GOD I'M BRITISH TOO, WE LOVE OBJECTTVITY)

[mangstadt]

Drivers by World Champion titles, then by number of wins:

The data appear in this order: Rank, Driver, Races, Wins, Efficiency (pct. of wins over starts), WDC titles. The figure used to rank drivers with the same number of WDC titles is number of races won. Data taken from the official Formula 1 website, then arranged according to the above criteria.

1. M. Schumacher, 250, 91, 36.4%, 7;
2. Fangio, 51, 24, 47.06%, 5;
3. Prost, 200, 51, 25.5%, 4;
4. Senna, 161, 41, 25.47%, 3;
5. Stewart, 99, 27, 27.27%, 3;
6. Lauda, 170, 25, 14.71%, 3;
7. Piquet, 204, 23, 11.47%, 3;
8. Brabham, 125, 14, 11.2%, 3;
9. Clark, 72, 25, 34.72%, 2;
10. Alonso, 123, 21, 17.07%, 2;
11. Hakkinen, 160, 20, 12.5%, 2;
12. Fitipaldi, 143, 14, 9.79%, 2;
13. Graham Hill, 176, 14, 7.95%, 2;
14. Ascari, 32, 10, 31.25%, 2;
15. Mansell, 187, 31, 16.58%, 1;
16. Damon Hill, 114, 22, 19.30%, 1;
17. Raikkonen, 140, 17, 12.14%, 1;
18. Jones, 115, 12, 10.43%, 1;
19. Andretti, 126, 12, 9.52%, 1;
20. J. Villeneuve, 165, 11, 6.67%, 1;
21. Hunt, 92, 10, 10.87%, 1;
22. Scheckter, 112, 10, 8.93%, 1;
23. Hamilton, 36, 9, 25%, 1.
24. Hulme, 112, 8, 7.14%, 1;
25. Rindt, 60, 6, 10%, 1;
26. Surtees, 111, 6, 5.41%, 1;
27. Farina, 33, 5, 15.15%, 1;
28. K. Rosberg, 114, 5, 4.39%, 1;
29. Hawthorn, 45, 3, 6.67%, 1;
30. Phil Hill, 48, 3, 6.25%, 1.

If Alonso wins next year he'll leap up to 5th or 6th depending on how many wins he takes in 2009.

If Raikkonen wins he'll go up to around 10th place.

If Hamilton takes the title again in 2009 he'll be up in 12th place more or less.

But they can only do it year by year. In my opinion Alonso, Kubica, Hamilton and Vettel (from oldest to youngest) are the best drivers out there right now. They are all capable of becoming World Champion or renewing their title.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: the rivalry between Prost and Senna may very well be repeated in Alonso and Hamilton. They may come to a point where they need to be racing against each other. Before his first season at McLaren, Alonso said he might not be in Formula 1 for many years, that he would be happy to win one more championship and then maybe retire. Since Hamilton's Arrival the reasonably happy Spaniard has a reason to stay in the sport for a few more years.

In a couple of years, Hamilton with McLaren, Kubica with BMW (or Ferrari), Alonso with Renault (I'm staying out of the Ferrari wishful thinking camp) and Vettel with Ferrari (this is a no brainer) will make one of the strongest playing fields in the history of the sport. To win three titles like Senna or four like Prost will be a remarkable feat, but please, let's take it year by year.

By the way, Mansellfan, I disagree with what you've said about Hamilton not taking the blame when things go wrong. There are many things I don't like about Lewis (his team, his boss, his non-stop blabber) but he always stands up and admits his mistakes and says he'll learn from those mistakes. I would have liked to have seen Felipe take the title, but Lewis is a worthy champion and I'm comforted by the fact that justice prevailed in the end, because if not that ridiculous Bourdais penalty at Fuji would have put a big question mark over the outcome of the championship.

Anyway, why not enjoy the title and put the hype machine away in the cold storage room until the 2009 season gets rolling.

[Larrotcha]

The Schumacher who was beaten twice in a row by a lowly Renault. By a team with the fraction of the budget of Ferrari Let's hope so!!!

Congratulations to Hamilton, his brother, mother, stepmother, aunt, his pussycatdoll, his dog, his swiss neighbors and last but not least Ron Dennis. Vorsprung durch Ferrari technik.

[Manolidas]

Hummm. Only time will tell us if he is better or as good as Schumacher.

I think he may be a terrific driver in 2 yers. Now he is a great driver with a lot of luck (to b honest).

I think Alonso is much better driver than him. I honestly think so. yesterday Alonso gave another lesson with a very porr ca.

[Pau]

Jordi,

I actually think Richard is Mr. Ed Gorman's alter ego when he needs to be nasty.

[chubynata]

I dont think he will be as great as Schumacher. I remember Schumacher struggling with Ferrari the first two seassons; he was always working to make the car more competitive (and so he did, together with the team of course). In that, Alonso reminds me a lot more to Schumi. I see Hamilton more focus on himself, a fantastic driver, no doubt, but not enough to turn around a normal team into a winning team.

[Manolidas]

I am not Manolidas. the reality is that I am Leonidas from the movie 300. I was in the Thermopylae battle and I had to admit Timo Glock and Ed gorman were leading the persians and javiervivaspania and Hamilton were leading the Greeks.

At the end Alonso told them "Molon Labe" and we will have a wonderfull new season in 2009.

Congratulations to Hamilton, Alonso and Masa wich all of them made a terrific season.

[Diego]

Same old british press. First slamming the person, then adore the same person even if that same person didn't do anything that great.
It's the same with football: you beat some minnows with your NT and all of a sudden you NT is world class.
Hamilton haven't the talent Schumacher had, he can't prepare the car like Schumacher can, he's just an overpaid brat under the protective wing of Ron Dennis and nothing else.

What will be the next comparison? Hamilton better then Senna? Pff. This is ridicolous.

[ELCROWLEY]

Oh my GOD!!! Ed, PLEASE relax.

It seems you forgot someone on this issue....

Reporter to Alonso: "Ham has snatched your youngest WDC record".

Alonso:" Well, now he has to snatch me the 2 WDC record".

[ELCROWLEY]

Anyone remember 1st Alonso's victory in Hungary? He did overlap Michael Schumacher....but it seems this data doesn't exist for UK press.....

[Guilherme Heller de Pauli]

Not at all, Schumacher is the best driver in the world, and his time in Fórmula 1 was easy for him, and Ferrari used to have the best car....Now there at least 3 teams, wich have the condition to be the Champion with his driver´s. There is Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, wich have the quality to be the world champion. So is going to be very dificulty for Lewis break the German´s record.

[GMRWood]

Posters keep commenting on FM's "bad luck" with the blown engine. My understanding of that sort of thing is that there is an inverse relationship between reliability and power (given other controlled issues of course).

This means that Ferrari's vaunted extra power is somewhat at the expense of reliability....so that sometimes FM benefitted (because of the extra horsepower) and other times suffered (because of decreased reliability).

McLaren have obviously chosen the balance of lesser power, more reliability.

To pretend that it was "bad luck" that FM experienced ignores that he also benefitted from the decision to have lesser reliability. If one accepts that both winning and losing are a "team" effort, then one cannot have it both ways with "bad luck" from engine failures not being balanced by "good luck" from engine power.

This commentary won't, of course, stop FM's fans bemoaning his "bad luck" with the engine failure......

[Imanol]

i just want to say thankx for one of the most thrilling f1 seasons i have seen... great battle for wdc, 3 contenders until china, ferrari taking constructors champioship, alonsos great come back.... what a grand prix, what a last lap, what a last turn...

however lewis will have to show much more in the coming seasons to be considered a real ace... he´s got a heart, that´s for sure and he´s got hands (regarding his tyre issues in almost every gp of this season), but he really needs to start thinkig during races, strategies, set up and so on... he´s got a team that has baby sitted him for 10 years... they have given up 2 drivers (heikki and fernando) and the constructors championship in order to get a wdc "by the skin of their teeths"...

i think the right question to ask for the moment is: will lewis make 2 in a row wdcs?... michael and fernando did it in a slower car...

however i´ve got to congratulate lewis and his team for what they´ve achieved... he´s gifted us with great moves on track, he´s been the best driver this year, and that´s really something...

congrats to you all britons...

can´t wait for australia´09...

[PTM]

Sure why not? of course only time can tell but in the 2 seasons he's been in F1 LH has demonstrated what a great driver he is, and I know that he has started in a very competitive car but if he could out drive the current WDC in his first year one can only imagen what his ability will be in the next 4-5 years.

[Javierg]

Ed,
How can you compare Lewis to Michael Schumacher, or ask your blog visitors to do so? He is not even the best driver right now.

Every single poll I have seen have the same result. Alonso far better considered.

Alonso is the driver most likely to be compared with Schumi. People say he is the best even when he does not clich the WDC. What do you think about that.

Before Lewis reaches MS, he should close the gap to Alonso first.

[Graeme Wilson]

The rating of Alonso so highly i find very odd... he was afterall in the latter half of last season beaten by a complete F1 novice. The unfair treatment saga was all nonsense; with equal equipment, Hamilton beat him. In part the fact he was better than his team mate (Alonso) is a good supporting argument for Hamilton's talent. However he only just beat a guy who wasn't in the same league as Schumacher... can Massa really have improved so much- or is the relative performance of the McClaren actually best demonstrated by Heike Kov's performance against the Ferrari's.... in which case Hamilton's victory is pretty monumental.

[Dave]

Can Hamilton be as good as Schumie? What a daft question; the real one is to ask whether Schumacher was ever as good as Hamilton. Did he ever win a drivers championship without being in by far the fastest car? I think not. Schumacher was a flat-track bully; Hamilton is the real thing.

[Akshay]

I totally, totally agree with Agniox. Neither Ferrari nor Hamilton deserve their titles. Massa and McLaren do. And I am a HUGE, HUGE Ferrari fan who reacted the exact same way as the Ferrari camp did when Massa crossed the finish line and I mean, the exact same way. The number of mistakes Ferrari have made is not justified by their winning the Constructors Championship and Lewis Hamilton is perhaps the youngest and the most penalised World Champion of the year. I also think, coming to the main topic, that no one in the next 10 years atleast, will beat Michael Schumacher's record. If Vettel makes the right moves in his career, he should end up at Ferrari and we should be able to see a fight between the Rainmaster Hamilton and the "Upcoming Rainmaster" Vettel. One more reason why I think no one will equal or beat Schumi is that F1 has become much more level now, especially after Schumi's departure from the sport. We have already seen 3 non-McLaren and non-Ferrari drivers win this year, one of them actually beating a McLaren on a rolling start in what is effectively a Minardi. So no, Hamilton will not and cannot be as good as Schumacher.

[splidge]

It honestly is disappointing to see posts like this, I realise you are only trying to stir up some discussion but these endless comparisons to the past greats of the sport which are obviously very premature seem to be responsible for a good chunk of Hamilton's negative image.

People say he blabbers a lot, but that is because the press are continuously hounding him asking him questions. People say he compares himself to Senna when those are words put into his mouth by the press.

Maybe he should clam up and not talk much like some of the other drivers, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would complain about that as well.

[JD]

Lewis can definitly be as good as Schumacher, probably better, and I believe that Lewis will win many more championships to come.

[berniebee]

No, because Alonso's going to win next year and the year after that.

[Raúl Gil]

In the first hand, congratulations for Lewis Hamilton.

I am from Madrid (Spain/España), and I have enjoyed with the end of the World Championship.

I am fan of Fernando Alonso, but I say too that Hamilton is an excellent racing driver.
With a team like Renault is very difficult getting some victory (the best example is Nelson Piquet), and Fernando has got two...

2009? It will be a good year. Good luck for both!

Regards

[harri]

Must say congratz to hamilton for winning the championship, wanted massa to win though!!!
He could become as good as schumi but i doubt it.
Schumacher was a 1 in a million and wasn't as risky as hamilton. People say the car made the man for schumi but i think otherwise. He was very good in a benneton and a jordan. Schumacher is the greatest f1 driver ever, and lewis is a fantastic driver, wether he is as good as schumi.... i don't think he is, but i can see him and massa battling for years. cmon massa!!!!!!

[Minnie]

Who knows all the answers, it's far too early to tell.
Hamilton is 23 and Fangio won all his titles over the age of 40!
Of all these posts I thought Mangstadt at 15.45 on 11/3 has given an equable assessment

[Florian]

Congratulations to Lewis. But the only one ever to beat Michael will be Sebastian.

Besides: Not sure if Michael would have been that successful if Senna wouldn't have died...

He was the man.

[mossie]

You people think again if you talk about Schumi! Would he had aimed for a fifth slot at Interlagos? Never! Be fair to Schumi and to F1. He apparantely had no oppositions because he was second to none and this is what you don't want to accept or to grasp. Schumi was a terminator of F1 and thanks to his involvement, there are nowadays no F1 drivers with beer-bellies claiming to be F1-champions. Today, because of Schumi all these little boys have to work their asses very hard in order to drive F1-Car. These are only few examples of what Schumi did to F1.

[carmen]

Hamilton has got a long way to walk still. Only time will tell. It is just a bit premature to ask this question. He might be. Today, he simply isn't.

Javiervivaespania. Keep your work next season. But this time disguise yourself as a British fan. They can be as blind to their hero as we Spanish are about Fernando.

It's only natural we see the best in people that have done a lot for the sport in our country. Whether you like it or not, Alonso has a place in the history of Formula 1 as a two-time world champion. He might go on improving the record, or not, time will tell as well. But what he has achieved is great. He fought for the championship with Schumacher and won, something the other drivers and teams weren't able to do. He has done it thanks to his skill and talent. As you say, point standings are point standings. And I am not saying Alonso is better than Schumacher. Alonso is Alonso, Schumacher is Schumacher, and Hamilton is Hamilton. All are good themselves, why comparing to others? All are unique for the good and the worst.

Oh, and point wise, Massa this year has been on a level with Hamilton. Funny, as Massa is rated as average by most. Give some credit to him as well, because, being not as good as Hamilton himself (so you say)he just missed the championship by a point. He has been there challenging Hamilton till the last lap.

Congratulations to Hamilton. He scored more points, so he won.

Congratulations to Massa and his fans as well. When you are so close to victory, it's a victory in itself. So keep you head high. You did well enough, as well as Hamilton. They can't deny you that, they are firm believers of point standings.

[Raul]

Alonso is the best no Hamilton Puxa Alonso bicampeon del mundo

[John D Winterbottom]

Only time will tell who is the best driver, measured by number of championships, GP wins, etc.
But .....Stiring Moss, sorry Sir Stirling Moss, still held in high esteem to this day, yes. How many championships did he win ?.. yep thats what I thought !!!!
But ... if you want to lay bets on the stats, I think Hamilton will surpass everyone else in the next 10 years.

[JPL]

People have commented on Lewis' obvious flaws as a racing driver, but isn't that the scary thing, he's 23 years old and hes far from perfect and yet he still wins the championship. He can be better than Schumacher ever was and I'm sick of this ferrari fanclub, a group of people who don't own ferraris but have adenoids and ferrari back-packs, who think massa and schumacher and anyone else who has ever driven a ferrari is god. Ferrari don't care about you so why do you love them so much!!!

[David]

Hamilton is without doubt a fine driver, but he has had a consistently fine car too. When the new 'level playing field' regulations come in it will be much harder for anyone to shine. If they do, they will be a true champion. In any case, well done Lewis.