Lew can still snatch title, says Stirling

SIR STIRLING MOSS believes Lewis Hamilton now has an outside chance of winning this year’s Formula One world title.

Hamilton’s triumph in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix was not only his first for Mercedes but also the German manufacturer’s first with a Brit at the wheel since Moss won the 1955 British Grand Prix.

Going into F1’s summer break, Hamilton (above) now trails championship leader Sebastian Vettel by 48 points with nine races remaining.

Assessing Hamilton’s hopes of a second crown, Moss (below) said: “Certainly it’s possible, but I reckon it’s an outside chance.

“Vettel and his Red Bull team are so good. But Lewis’s drive on Sunday was terrific, fantastic, really good.

“He decided to have a go from the start and drove a good race.

“And it wasn’t just on Sunday, because he got pole position on Saturday too.

“There’s no doubt the team is the equal of any other. Lewis is a really exciting driver and a late braker – and I think the result will give him a great kick-off.

“So if they can keep up the speed and do the same sort of thing, then he’s got a good chance.”

Moss, 83, a fourtimes F1 championship runner-up, including in 1955 with Mercedes, believes the work of the team behind boss Ross Brawn is outstanding.

“I am sure that expectations must have come up quite a few notches after the last race,” said Moss.

“Ross Brawn is a tremendous help. If I was a driver today there are very few people I’d like to be with, but Ross is one of them.”