Highlights

Hamilton success a balancing act for McLaren

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-04-20 14:08

Lewis Hamilton's sensational start to his Formula One career poses quite a challenge for McLaren and Ron Dennis.

The team boss has to balance his obvious delight at the 22-year-old rookie's achievements with a determination to ensure the Briton is not swept off his feet by the tidal wave of media attention.

He has also to ensure that Spaniard Fernando Alonso, the double world champion who joined from Renault at the end of last season expecting to be the main man, does not feel in any way marginalised or under-appreciated.

It cannot be easy for Alonso, the man who beat Ferrari's seven times world champion Michael Schumacher to the title in the past two seasons, to digest some of the things that are being said about Hamilton.

McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh declared after last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix that Hamilton, the first driver to finish on the podium in his first three races, could be the greatest yet.

Former champion Jackie Stewart suggested the youngster, one of three drivers tied at the top of the championship on 22 points, could even take the title in his debut season.

Frank Williams, whose team gave compatriots Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell the tools to become champions, described Hamilton as a 'superhuman'.

One has to remember that Alonso is still only 25 years old, entered Formula One as a teenager and remains the youngest driver ever to start a race on pole position as well as being the youngest race winner (at barely 22 years old) and youngest double champion.