 Hamilton has set F1 on fire with a stunning start to his career |
Lewis Hamilton will not win the world title this season despite proving he is an "extraordinary talent", according to ex-Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan. Hamilton leads the drivers' standings just four races into his debut season, but Jordan doubts whether the Englishman, 22, can remain on top.
"All the indications are bordering on the sensational," said Jordan.
"But the chances of him winning the title are very slim - we are yet to see how he handles things going wrong."
Jordan, who sold his team in 2005 after 14 years in F1, said Hamilton "looks the real deal" but had not yet fully demonstrated whether he had the necessary strength of character or killer instinct to become world champion.
In particular, Jordan wants to know if Hamilton can be as ruthless as Michael Schumacher, who famously clashed on the track with both Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill on his way to seven world titles.
"Lewis is fortunate to have a well-grounded team with a structure he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else," said Jordan.
 | There has to be a steely aspect that we haven't seen, otherwise Hamilton will be swamped |
"But if he needed to do what Schumacher did to Villeneuve or Hill, would he do that?
"You need to do that to win. Winning is in the mind, and you have to do it at all costs.
"Anyone who tells you different is either lying or hasn't achieved what they're capable of.
"There has to be a steely aspect that we haven't seen, otherwise Hamilton will be swamped.
"He needs to have that arrogance otherwise he will not succeed. Does Alex Ferguson have it? Yes. Does Jose Mourinho? Yes.
"Winners generally are not nice people. They try to be, but they are immensely selfish, immensely arrogant and have a total belief in their own ability.
"Nothing else matters to them when they are at work."
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Jordan, in an interview to publicise the launch of his autobiography, added that Hamilton had re-ignited his interest in F1.
"For the first time in a long time, I'm excited by the start of races," said the Irishman. "I'm caught up in the whole Hamilton thing.
"He's black, he's attractive. Young female viewers are turning on to him because he's rock 'n' roll.
"But be careful, because the media will build him up, and logic tells you it can't continue."
 Jordan says the Honda team are letting Jenson Button down |
As Hamilton's career blossoms, fellow Englishman Jenson Button has seen his stall.
Jordan insists some of the blame for Button's demise must lie with his team, Honda.
"We all know how powerful the Honda engine is, but someone at Honda has screwed up," said Jordan.
"I'm a little bit critical of that team because they don't have a real racer running the team.
"If I was his manager I would be having a hard and detailed conversation about what their plan is. Any business needs a plan and based on that plan you form a view.
"You need the car first and I'm concerned as to who is designing and putting the car together for that team.
"In some respect, Jenson has to look carefully at his position and how he got into that position.
"He made a costly decision not to stay at Williams. He must feel terribly let down, but he must have seen it happening."
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