Highlights

Still too early to talk about title-Hamilton

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-19 09:35

Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton says it is premature to consider his championship chances despite taking a 10 point lead over McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso at the weekend.

The 22-year-old Briton said after winning the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis on Sunday for his second victory on consecutive weekends that his success had not changed his outlook.

"I came to the season with an open mind just trying to do a good job," said the bookies' favourite.

"Yes, we're seven races into the championship. I have to be smart and realise that I'm running at the front and there is a possibility of winning the championship.

"But I still think it's far, far too early to even think about it or get any hopes up. Anything can happen during the season, I just have to try and remain consistent and try to keep on winning," added Hamilton.

Feted in America as the first black driver to win a grand prix, Hamilton returns home as the best British title prospect in years.

The last Britons to follow up their maiden win with another were Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell, world champions in 1996 and 1992 respectively.

"To come in...I didn't expect anything but I hoped to do well and do a solid job and start reasonably well in the season and to build upon it and keep learning on a steep learning curve," said Hamilton.

"I hoped maybe I would get a podium at some point but I've been on the podium for the last seven races. It's just insane.

"I find it very, very hard to come to terms with everything. So I'm not reading stuff that's going on in the papers, I'm just focusing on trying to enjoy it without any of the other stuff confusing me," he added.

"But I don't think anyone expected me to do as well as I'm doing."

Hamilton is the youngest leader of the championship as well as the youngest British grand prix winner and only driver to finish all his first seven races on the podium.

He is now sure to be at least level on points at the top of the championship for his home race at Silverstone on July 8, even if his astonishing run of success ends at Magny-Cours in France on July 1.