LONDON - Britain's last Formula One world champion Damon Hill sang the praises of Lewis Hamilton after the rookie's stunning first win in Monday's (NZ time) Canadian Grand Prix.
The front pages of most of the country's newspapers also hailed the 22-year-old McLaren driver, who topped the podiumin his sixth start in Formula One.
"What an unbelievable win for Lewis," Hill, the 1996 world champion said in a statement from the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC).
"People should not underestimate what he has achieved in an incredibly short space of time. Yes, he's with a good team, and yes, he's got a good car, but to be winning Grand Prix's and be putting in performances like that race after race takes something special."
Next to a photograph of Hamilton spraying champagne the Times declared "King of the road and a new British hero".
"Lewis, Britain's new hero, roars to victory at 22," said the Daily Mail over a picture of the sport's first black driver holding aloft the trophy.
The Express said the McLaren driver was on the road to earning millions as a man standing "on the threshold of becoming a 21st-century icon" in the same vein as US golfer Tiger Woods.
Hill predicted a frenzy of support for Hamilton at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 8 and believes the rookie can go on to win the title in his first season.
"He may be young and in his first season but this guy is the real deal," said Hill.
"He's leading the world championship and winning races, so his confidence will be sky-high. He's now got a great chance of winning the British Grand Prix, in front of his home crowd at Silverstone.
"We shouldn't get too carried away but we could be looking at the next British world champion."
Hamilton leads the world championship, eight points clear of double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso.
