Zanardi: Hamilton is the best

Alex Zanardi, former F1 driver and ChampCar champion, believes that Lewis Hamilton is the best driver he has had the chance to meet in his life. He also thinks that the McLaren driver is very mature for his age, contrary to what some have claimed this season.

« Lewis Hamilton is the most talented driver I have ever seen or met, in my opinion, even from a maturity standpoint, 99% of the people I have met in my life don’t come close to Lewis Hamilton, » Zanardi told The Telegraph.

After a difficult 2011 season, notably marked by multiple clashes with Felipe Massa, Zanardi believes that Hamilton has managed things well and will be able to bounce back as early as 2012.

«What is happening to him this year simply shows that he is human. Even Lewis Hamilton is vulnerable. I mean, if what happened to him at his age had happened to me, I would probably have gone to Monte Carlo with the biggest boat, with a gold Rolex, looking at people and asking them: what do you want from me? I’m the best in the world.

Translate: «Lewis Hamilton is someone very thoughtful. I had the privilege of interviewing him once for an Italian magazine, and I really discovered someone very, very mature for his age. So it makes me say that he simply made a misstep, but I am convinced that next year he will have learned the lesson.»

The former Italian driver believes that the 2008 world champion is aware of his mistakes and will not repeat them in the future. Zanardi also believes that 2012 should allow Hamilton to show the full extent of his talent.

“I’m certain he has already learned the lesson. And he will be able to achieve the results he’s capable of once again, despite the pressure he may face in England, simply because he is Lewis Hamilton,” added Zanardi.