DRIVING LIKE A GOD
Mercedes boss Lauda: Four-time champ Lewis could be the best EVER
LEWIS HAMILTON won the world championship driving “like a god”, according to Niki Lauda.
Despite a smash on the first lap in Mexico, Hamilton sealed his position as Britain’s most successful Formula One driver.
Austrian Lauda, a three-time champion and now one of Hamilton’s bosses at Mercedes, said: “Lewis has driven like a god this season.
“He has proved he is the best driver on the grid and deserves the success he has had.
“It’s very simple really, he’s the best. He’s always been good, but now he’s even better.
“He’s definitely the quickest guy anywhere today. If you compare him with all the other drivers, he’s one or two-tenths quicker than everybody else.
“His performances have been perfect. He is possibly the best ever. He is certainly up there with the best we’ve seen.”
Hamilton is one world title away from equalling Juan Manuel Fangio’s tally of five, with Michael Schumacher’s record of seven a realistic target before he hangs up his gloves.
The Brit was challenged by Sebastian Vettel earlier in the campaign but the Ferrari driver has had no answer to his rival’s superb form since the summer.
And 68-year-old Lauda (above) added: “Lewis has overcome the disappointment of losing to Nico Rosberg last season in the best way possible.
“He has also been very focussed this year and made no mistakes, while also being fast. There is no reason why he cannot carry on winning.”
Hamilton – set to sign a £120million deal to extend his Mercedes contract for three more years – has been criticised for his party lifestyle.
The 32-year-old constantly criss-crosses the globe in his private jet to be with his showbiz pals. Days after sealing his third F1 drivers’ title in America, two years ago, Hamilton crashed his 200mph Pagani Zonda supercar into three parked cars in Monaco.
He blamed the incident on “heavy partying and not much rest”, and is often pictured on boats in the Mediterranean or Caribbean with groups of beautiful women.
Fellow champ James Hunt got away with that lifestyle, while still being a favourite with the great British sporting public. Hamilton, who grew up on a Herts council estate but now lives in tax exile in Monaco, has not always had the same adoration.
And that is despite professing his love of Britain and the Union Jack. But Lauda defended Hamilton’s right to party because of the dangers of the job. Lauda was given the last rites when his Ferrari exploded in a fireball, after a horror crash at the Nurburgring in 1976, when he was battling with Hunt for the drivers’ title. He recovered from his injuries to race again a few weeks later, but lost out to Hunt in a rain-lashed decider in Japan. He returned the following year to regain the championship.
Lauda added: “I have no problem with Lewis partying. It’s what James and I used to do in the 1970s, when we were racing.
“We’d go out on the Friday and Saturday before a race AND then really go out and enjoy ourselves after the Grand Prix.
“But in those days, for us, every Grand Prix could be our last. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with Lewis going out to let off steam.
“He is an F1 driver so is under massive pressure during races and needs a release valve afterwards.
“Lewis has a right to enjoy himself away from the track. It is not as if it is stopping him winning races.”