SUPERNATURAL BORN THRILLER
Hill: Hamilton is a seat-of-his-pants race-winner, he’s a...
DAMON HILL has been blown away by “supernatural” Lewis Hamilton this season – and warned the best is yet to come from the all-conquering Brit. The 34-year-old is bidding to close out the title at tomorrow’s US Grand Prix to move within one of Michael Schumacher’s record haul of seven. Hamilton, a winner in five of his previous seven visits to Austin, needs to finish only eighth to secure a crown that will strengthen his standing as one of the finest Formula One drivers of all-time. Hill knows a thing or two about F1 greats, having raced against Ayrton Senna in the early 90s then pipped Schumacher to secure his one and only title triumph in 1996. And it has been the dominance shown b y
Hamilton, who has barely broke a sweat this year, that has got the F1 icon licking his lips.
Hill said: “He is an unbelievable racer and this year he is set to achieve his sixth world title almost at a sub-optimal level. He hasn’t had to sweat too much.
“There have been races where he’s had to pull something out of the hat but it seems as though he can go to his locker and there is more in reserve.
“He’s at the height of his powers. He’s got the experience, the knowledge, and he has the comfort of having five world titles already. It’s almost too easy for him.
“Winning a sixth championship will take him to within one of Michael’s record haul.
“Lewis shares his emotions but Michael was very guarded – you never knew how he was feeling.
“Both have an extraordinary seat-of-the-pants ability which make them almost supernatural.
“Lewis wants to win fair and square. That is to his credit.”
Hamilton’s current £40milliona-year contract with Mercedes comes to an end at the end of next season and he is yet to commit his long-term future to the team.
But Hill reckons he would be silly to turn down a new deal. He added: “Lewis’ future is all a matter of motivation.
“He has a lot of interests away from Formula One but if you said to him in five years when he is 39, ‘do you want to drive a world championship-winning car?’, I’d be surprised if he turned it down.
“Lewis is knocking on that door of being the best ever in terms of victories, and championships, and his career needs to be recognised.
“The level of his achievements are extraordinary, phenomenal.”
It seems he can go to his locker and there is more in reserve
DAMON HILL HAS BEEN SO IMPRESSED BY HAMILTON