Exclusive – Blundell: ‘Hamilton is the best racer in F1’

Mark Blundell has told talkSPORT Lewis Hamilton is the best racer on the grid – but says the Brit faces a huge fight to win the world championship.

Hamilton finished fourth in the standings last season, behind Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who became the sport’s youngest ever champion at the age of 23.

And, speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast ahead of the 2011 opener in Australia on Sunday, former F1 ace Blundell said he expects to see the foursome fighting it out again at the top.

“If it was me I’d say the best racing driver come Sunday afternoon, from the back of the grid to the front of the grid, would still be Lewis Hamilton because he’s a racer,” said Blundell.

“If you want to go with the most complete driver today I’d go with Alonso but Vettel is cactching him very fast. He’s an incredible talent, he’s got an old head on young shoulders, and to turn in a world championship, at the age that he is, is remarkable.

"I think the other guy to look out for is Webber, I really do. He's come on a long way over the past couple of seasons and last year taught him a lot. That world title should have been in the bag for him, he made a couple of errors, and I don't think you will see them again. I think he's come through that and he'll be a strong competitor."

Blundell also expressed doubts over Bernie Ecclestone’s proposal of creating ‘fake rain’ during races, but admits something must be done to make the sport more exciting.

He added: “I understand where he’s coming from. We see some rain come into play and nine times out of ten you get excitement, you get action and you get a great result at the end of it. It is good to see that but it if you’re going to fabricate it I’m not sure it’s going to have the same effect."