F1 legend feels Hamilton can play spoilsport

Three-time Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart believes Lewis Hamilton could plan an important role in the title decider on Sunday at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

McLaren driver Hamilton recorded the fastest lap in the second practice session on Friday ahead of Red Bull favourites Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber with championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari lagging behind.

“Hamilton is a very aggressive driver and a good racer. I personally believe that he could finish on the podium which could upset completely the balance of the world championship.

“If he takes the podium away from Alonso, then either Webber or Vettel will win the championship so he is going to have the most important part to play in the outcome of the championship,” said Stewart, 71, here as global ambassador of Royal Bank Scotland which is a partner of Williams.

“If I were him my only interest is to win the race. Picking up world championship points is of no concern. You just want to win the race.”

However, Stewart said that he would love to see Red Bull’s Webber claim the title in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

“I like the idea of Webber winning it. He is 34 years old and is an Australian. It has been a long time since an Australian has won it.

“He would project the sport wonderfully well and is glamorous, colourful and eloquent.

“At 34, it would be nice to see him win it.”

Stewart, nicknamed the Flying Scot, who won the championships in 1969, 1971 and 1973, felt that the other drivers who were also in title contention had age on their side.

“I think everybody expects Sebastian Vettel to win the championship. But he will surely win it, if not this year, the next year or in the future. He is so skilled and so natural and only 23 years of age, we are going to see a lot more of him.

“If Alonso wins the world championship in a funny sort of way it won’t be a big deal for him, because he has won it already. But he is so well equipped and Ferrari desperately want to win the championship title because they have lost the constructors' championship.”

But he feels Hamilton could upset all their calculations. “Hamilton can upset the race championship factor. He is driving really well and he is very hungry and he has nothing to lose by giving it everything.

“Friday is not the day to make big statements because I really don’t. But I feel that McLaren is now handling better and better as the season is getting over.”

Stewart said that the regulations related to the team orders should be given another look.

“The regulation now does not allow an opportunity for a team to have a one driver win a race. I think what happened at Hockenheim was strictly against the law. I don’t like the idea of the law being broken and then the penalty not matching the crime,” he said referring to Felipe Massa giving way to Ferrari team mate Alonso to win the Germany Grand Prix.

“The World Championship points should have been taken away. That would have been an important rather than the $100,000 fine for Ferrari which I think was not a significant fine.

“I wouldn’t have that regulation of that kind, because a team is spending heavier money to drive and win the championship of the constructors and the drivers.

“They should have the opportunity of saying that to win the world championship we need our driver to step back. I think that should be allowed to happen.

“(Juan Manuel) Fangio could have won the British Grand Prix but he moved over and let Stirling Moss win it.

“I see nothing wrong with. I just think the regulation is wrong.”