Lewis Hamilton's ‘novelty' value in Formula 1 will soon wear off – that is the view of Mark Webber, who insisted the McLaren-Mercedes star could in no way even begin to be compared with any of the sport's multiple world champions yet awhile.
The 23-year-old came into the top flight in a blaze of glory last year, storming to four victories and the runner-up spot in the title chase having led the way for the majority of his maiden campaign. Despite the fact that Hamilton is once again atop the drivers' standings with two races completed in 2008, Webber insists he should be prepared for the attention – and the success – not to last.
“His career has gone off like a rocket ship but it won't always be like that,” the Red Bull Racing ace told The Independent newspaper. “He's young and he's black which makes him unique in this sport, but that's got a shelf life. He won't stop being black but it will stop being a novelty.
“He'll find that some of the column inches, maybe even this season, are totally negative and totally incorrect. That's not easy to deal with.”
Webber also questioned the British fans' and media's obsession with Hamilton, stressing that speaking about him in the same breath as seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and others is more than a little premature.
“Look, he's talented, we all know that,” the Aussie acknowledged, “but he's been in the sport for five minutes. People compare him with Schumacher. There is no comparison.
“When he wins the championship, then he's got six more to win before he can be compared to Schumacher. Yeah, he had a great first year – it was extraordinary what he did – but great sports stars are measured by their longevity…Pele, Steffi Graf, whoever.”
nascar.com
The 23-year-old came into the top flight in a blaze of glory last year, storming to four victories and the runner-up spot in the title chase having led the way for the majority of his maiden campaign. Despite the fact that Hamilton is once again atop the drivers' standings with two races completed in 2008, Webber insists he should be prepared for the attention – and the success – not to last.
“His career has gone off like a rocket ship but it won't always be like that,” the Red Bull Racing ace told The Independent newspaper. “He's young and he's black which makes him unique in this sport, but that's got a shelf life. He won't stop being black but it will stop being a novelty.
“He'll find that some of the column inches, maybe even this season, are totally negative and totally incorrect. That's not easy to deal with.”
Webber also questioned the British fans' and media's obsession with Hamilton, stressing that speaking about him in the same breath as seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and others is more than a little premature.
“Look, he's talented, we all know that,” the Aussie acknowledged, “but he's been in the sport for five minutes. People compare him with Schumacher. There is no comparison.
“When he wins the championship, then he's got six more to win before he can be compared to Schumacher. Yeah, he had a great first year – it was extraordinary what he did – but great sports stars are measured by their longevity…Pele, Steffi Graf, whoever.”
nascar.com