Lewis Hamilton may have made a startling impression on the
Formula 1 paddock during his record-breaking maiden season in the top flight last year, but he will never get close to challenging the achievements of fellow record-breaker
Michael Schumacher.
That is the belief of the German's manager Willi Weber, who insisted he did not see anyone amongst the current grand prix crop with the necessary commitment, talent and determination to take over Schumacher's mantle as the most successful driver in the sport's history. The seven-time world champion retired at the end of the 2006 campaign, after racking up a staggering 91 victories from 248 starts in the uppermost echelon.
“Lewis has many prizes, but no titles,” the 65-year-old told German newspaper
Bild. “He had his chance last year, when he was sitting in the best car, but still
Ferrari won the championship.”
Hamilton triumphed four times, set six pole positions and a brace of fastest laps
en route to the runner-up spot in the 2007 drivers' title chase – agonisingly missing out on the crown to
Kimi Raikkonen in the final race in Brazil.
“I'm not saying that Hamilton is bad,” A1 Team Germany chief Weber reasoned, “but Schumacher was in a different world, and that will remain the case.
“I am sure that in my lifetime we will never witness someone in this sport as great as Michael. Becoming world champion has never been so easy.”
