Lewis Hamilton, 2007's Rising Star

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- In his first few races McLaren Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has risen above the other rookie drivers to become the undisputed star of the 2007 season. But, beyond the hype, does Lewis Hamilton have what it takes to become a future world champion?

The statistics speak for themselves: 22-year old Hamilton made the podium on all of his first three races -- the first rookie driver to reach the podium on his first outing since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996, the first rookie driver to reach the podium on his first two outings since Peter Arundell in 1964, the first driver in the history of Formula One to make a hat-trick.

But statistics can mislead. In Formula One's recent history there have been other drivers who have initially dazzled but failed to achieve the results expected of them. Juan Pablo Montoya was tipped by some as a future Ayrton Senna, but his tempestuousness and inconsistency weren't an ideal match for Formula One, and he has since made a sideways move into NASCAR. And in his debut season for Jordan in 1997, some commentators tipped Ralf Schumacher as a driver who might eclipse the fortunes of his older brother.

One clear reason for the hype surrounding Hamilton isn't just his ethnicity (he is the first person of black origin in Formula One) but his nationality. Britain hasn't had a championship winner since Damon Hill in 1996. In the intervening years British F1 fans have pinned their hopes on David Coulthard and then Jenson Button to provide a return to the glory days of the 1970s, when Jackie Stewart and James Hunt ruled supreme.

Arguably, this expectation is because the sport is presided over by two Brits (Bernie Ecclestone and Max Moseley) and southern England is home to seven of the eleven Formula One teams, so British fans have a sense of ownership over the sport. As a consequence of this, young British drivers have unrealistically high expectations placed upon them.

For all the hype, it might be assumed that Lewis Hamilton is favorite to win this year's championship. At the time of writing it's a three horse race between Hamilton and two drivers with lots of experience. And while it's too early in the season to make concrete predictions, it is clear that the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen have more pace than the McLarens of Hamilton and Alonso.

As BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld told PA Sport, after the Malaysian Grand Prix, "I definitely think Lewis will do a really good job. He did especially well last week with the pressure from the two Ferraris and did not really make many mistakes.

"But then you have to see from my point of view that Alonso was still comfortably quicker. He is two-time world champion and he is a really good driver. People seem to forget he is leading the championship."

Former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, who won his first world championship in 1972 when just 25-years old, also added a note of caution.

"This season will be a learning process -- we shouldn't expect to see him winning races," said the Brazilian.

Though another superstar of the 1970s, Austrian Niki Lauda said after Hamilton's first race: "Look, it's quite simple: Lewis is the best rookie I've ever seen -- any time, any place, any where."

Hamilton made his start in motor racing early, beginning in karts at the age of eight. Encouraged by his father Anthony -- who felt go-karting might temper his son's hyperactive tendencies -- Hamilton progressed through the karting field, attracting the attention of McLaren in the process.

At the age of just 13 he was signed to the McLaren Driver Development Support programme. This contract included a future option for an F1 seat. As a young teen, Hamilton could already see a future at the pinnacle of motor sport. Just four years earlier, in 1994, the nine-year old Hamilton approached McLaren team boss, Ron Dennis, at an awards show and asked if he could drive for McLaren in the future. And, as if in a fairytale, his wish was granted.

The move from kart to cars came in 2001, when Hamilton raced in the British Formula Renault Winter series, finishing fifth. Coming third in his first full season in Formula Renault, and first in his second, Hamilton's rise seemed unstoppable. But a disappointing debut in British Formula Three saw him crash out of two races.

By 2005, however, Hamilton became the dominant force in F3 Euroseries, winning 15 of the 20 rounds. In 2006 and Hamilton triumphed yet again, this time in the GP2 series.

Hamilton has had success at a young age and has experienced the kind of career trajectory of which many can only dream. But before people start writing the history books a note of caution is needed, Peter Arundell had a major crash soon after his record-breaking achievements. He never regained his form and retired from F1 two years later. In an unpredictable world, few things are less predictable than motor sport.

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