P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton’s first F1 season has put a McLaren star to shame according to one former driver.
According to one former driver, Lewis Hamilton’s first F1 season at McLaren was more impressive than his later championship wins with Mercedes. During the 2007 season, Hamilton finished as the runner-up in the drivers’ standings, showcasing his talent with nine consecutive podium finishes, including two wins in Canada and the USA. Despite leading the championship for most of the season, Hamilton lost out to Kimi Raikkonen in the final race due to a gearbox failure, with Fernando Alonso also finishing on equal points. Nelson Piquet Jr, who raced against Hamilton in 2008 and 2009, praised Hamilton’s debut season and criticized younger drivers on the grid, calling McLaren star Lando Norris “nothing special.” Piquet Jr highlighted the intensity of Hamilton’s rookie year, particularly his battles with Alonso, as a standout moment in the Briton’s stellar career.





