Lewis Hamilton has the potential to become Formula 1's greatest ever driver, according to McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh.
F1's rookie sensation has already carved himself a place in the sport's record books after just three grands prix, by becoming the first driver to begin his career with three successive podium finishes.
The 22-year-old Briton's stunning start in F1 comes on the back of a meteoric rise through the junior motorsport ranks and Whitmarsh reckons that if that rate of progress continues Hamilton could go on to surpass the sport's recognised all-time greats.
"Why not?" Whitmarsh told Wednesday's Guardian newspaper when asked if Hamilton could become the sport's greatest driver.
"It's obviously too early to analyse but if the trend continues there is no reason why he could not be the greatest driver ever."
Whitmarsh believes Hamilton displays all the attributes that set many of McLaren's star drivers of the past 20 years apart from the majority of their peers.
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"Since I joined McLaren in 1989 I've worked with a lot of great drivers, including [Alain] Prost, [Ayrton] Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen and now Fernando Alonso with Lewis," he said.
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"I think I've developed a pretty clear picture of what gives the top guys that crucial edge over the simply good or average drivers.
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"And I think it is pretty clear that Lewis ticks all the necessary boxes."
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SOURCE: www.itv-f1.com
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