Sir Jackie reckons Hamilton can hang on this time

Published on Monday 26 May 2008 23:31

SIR Jackie Stewart believes Lewis Hamilton can hold onto his lead in the Formula 1 world championship, providing McLaren give him the car to do so.

Hamilton's triumph in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix was one to savour, with the 23-year-old becoming only the fifth Briton – after Stewart, Stirling Moss, Graham Hill and David Coulthard – to win around the streets of the Principality.

But Monaco this year was one of those startlingly different races given the rain that caused havoc throughout, and the fact it is a street circuit like no other.

Returning to a normal track in 13 days' time with the Canadian Grand Prix, the question now is whether Ferrari will return to the dominance they enjoyed in the four previous races.

McLaren were quick, in particular in Turkey just over two weeks ago, but clearly not quick enough.

If Hamilton is to stay out in front for the remainder of the year – he now holds a three-point cushion over Kimi Raikkonen – Stewart feels McLaren have to raise their game.

"I see no reason why he can't stay there, but he is against two very good drivers in (Felipe] Massa and Raikkonen, and Ferrari are very strong," said the three-time world champion.

"McLaren are going to have to deliver a car capable of competing with them because he has the driving skills to do it."

It was in Canada last year that Hamilton took the outright lead in the title race, only to lose it – and the championship – in the final race in Brazil.

Stewart at least feels Hamilton has the mental strength to cope on this occasion, adding: "He will have learned a lot from last year.

"You don't gain knowledge without experience, and you don't gain wisdom without experience and knowledge.

"He will have collected that, and that's going to be good for him."

Hamilton heads to Montreal after realising his boyhood dream and emulating late hero Ayrton Senna by winning in Monaco.

During his time, Senna reigned supreme, winning six times at the place he made his home, including five in a row from 1989-93.

Given the way Hamilton mastered the conditions on Sunday, and looked so supremely confident after a mistake early on, Stewart feels he could easily surpass Senna's feat.

"There's no reason why not because he is only 23 years of age. He has loads of time to do it," he added. "In addition to which, he is driving for one of the best two teams in the world, and it's not often a driver gets that chance in the very early part of his career.

"Most of them have to come through a learning curve in relatively uncompetitive teams or cars. But Lewis has stepped in, which brings with it pressure, but he has been able to handle that pressure. He's got a long way to go."

Stewart, who is not afraid to concede he is a Hamilton fan, could easily understand the joy felt by the young Briton after his win.

"He has won here in only his second season in Formula 1, and I did the same," added Stewart, "so I suspect there are very similar emotions. I'm very happy for him."