LEGEND LAUDS HAMILTON

[davewilson]

Formula One legend Niki Lauda has tipped British rookie Lewis Hamilton to take the world title in his first season.

No driver had ever claimed three podium finishes in his first three races until Hamilton achieved the feat this year, and he currently sits joint top of the standings with McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Plenty of pundits have suggested Hamilton can win at least one race this season, but Lauda, himself a three-time world champion, believes the 22-year-old can go all the way.

"As unbelievable as it sounds, at the moment I can see Lewis Hamilton heading the ranking," said the Austrian.

"Because of his young and clean experience - he is as fast as Alonso."

Lauda, the champion in 1975, 1977 and 1984, is expecting the season to be a classic.

As well as the current top three, Raikkonen's team-mate, Felipe Massa, who won last time out in Bahrain, is only five points off the leaders as McLaren and Ferrari slug it out for supremacy.

"This season will be the most exciting for years, we will not only see a shoot-out between the teams, but also amongst the team-mates," he continued.

"There will be a do-or-die fight between Alonso and Hamilton, and between Massa and Raikkonen.

"I hope they will not give any team orders until the last two races.

"At the moment I cannot see a faster driver within either one of these teams, so I don't think this will happen in the near future."