Lewis Hamilton "has driven like a God" to claim his fourth World Drivers' Championship, claims F1 great Niki Lauda

Lewis Hamilton roared to his fourth Formula One
drivers’ crown, and was told: You’ve driven like a God!
The Mercedes ace has proved he is Britain’s most
successful grand prix racer and arguably the country’s
greatest sports star.
Hamilton sealed the title in Mexico to join Sebastian
Vettel and Alain Prost as a four-time champ.
He is one away from equalling Juan Manuel Fangio’s
tally of five with Michael Schumacher’s record of
seven a realistic target before he hangs up his gloves.
And three-time champ Niki Lauda, 68, said: “Lewis
has driven like a God this season.
“He has proved he is the best driver on the grid and
deserves the success he has had. It’s very simple
really, he’s the best. He’s always been good, but now
he’s even better.
“He’s definitely the quickest guy anywhere today. If
you compare him with all the other drivers, he’s one,
two tenths quicker than everybody else.
“His performances this season have been perfect. He
is possibly the best ever. He is certainly up there with
the best we’ve seen.”
PLAY
Hamilton missed out on a fourth title last year to
bitter team-mate Nico Rosberg despite winning the
last race in Abu Dhabi with a stunning display.
The German retired within days denying Hamilton the
chance to regain the coveted trophy at Rosberg’s
expense.
1250 trucks for sale
www.kleyntrucks.com
Ad
Hamilton was challenged by Vettel earlier in the
campaign but the Ferrari driver has had no answer to
his rival’s superb form since the summer.
Austrian Lauda added: “Lewis has overcome the
disappointment of losing to Nico last season in the
best way possible.
“He has also been very focussed this year and made
no mistakes while also being fast. There is no reason
why he cannot carry on winning.”
Hamilton - set to sign a £120million deal to extend his
Mercedes contract for three more years - has been
criticised for his party lifestyle. The 32-year-old
constantly criss-crosses the globe in his private jet to
be with his rapper pals in Hollywood.
Days after sealing his third F1 drivers’ title in America
two years ago, Hamilton crashed his 200mph Pagani
Zonda supercar into three parked cars in Monaco.
He blamed the incident on “heavy partying and not
much rest” and is often pictured on boats in the
Mediterranean or Caribbean with group of beautiful
women.
Fellow champ James Hunt got away with that lifestyle
while still being a favourite with the great British
sporting public.
Hamilton, who grew-up on a Herts council estate but
now - like many sportsmen - lives in tax exile in
Monaco, has not always had the same adoration. And
that is despite professing his love of Britain and the
Union Jack.
But Lauda has defended Hamilton’s right to party
because of the dangers of the job.
Lauda was given the last rights when his Ferrari
exploded into a fireball after a horror crash at the
Nurburgring in 1976 when he was battling with Hunt
for the drivers’ title.
He recovered from his injuries to race again a few
weeks later but lost out to Hunt in a rain-lashed
decider in Japan. He returned the following year to
win regain the championship.
Lauda added: “I have no problem with Lewis partying.
It’s what James and I used to do in the 1970’s when
we were racing.
“We’d go out on the Friday and Saturday before a race
AND then really go out and enjoy ourselves after the
grand prix.
“But in those days, for us, every grand prix could be
our last. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with
Lewis going out to let off steam.
“He is an F1 driver so is under massive pressure
during races and needs a release valve afterwards.
“Lewis has a right to enjoy himself away from the
track. It is not as if it is stopping him winning races.”

Tweet