Hamilton is becoming too important for Mosley

The president of the FIA, Max Mosley, believes that Lewis Hamilton is not as important to the world of F1 as some claim, and might even have a negative effect on the sport’s popularity.

Hamilton made his debut this season in F1 and was supported by an entire nation, contributing to the increase in the sport’s popularity in the United Kingdom. With Michael Schumacher’s retirement at the end of 2006, Hamilton has emerged as the new star of this sport.

But Mosley believes that he could, just like Schumacher, become a negative factor for F1 if he comes to dominate this sport over a long period.

« If he does the same thing next season, as he did this season, there will certainly be a big effect, » said Mosley on BBC airwaves.

« It is starting to be negative for the sport, because we are going to get the same effect that Schumacher caused in his time. People are beginning to write to me to ask if I can do something to slow down this surge in popularity. »

« He certainly contributed a lot in the United Kingdom. He received a lot of interest from everyone because he obviously does not come from a wealthy background, » he added.

But there is always someone new. If it wasn’t him, it would be either Nico Rosberg or Robert Kubica or Sebastian Vettel who could have turned out to be our new star.

« I therefore think that we tend to exaggerate the importance of Lewis Hamilton. »

Mosley also downplayed the possibility of Hamilton winning the 2007 Drivers’ World Championship, McLaren should win their appeal against the stewards’ decision at the Brazilian Grand Prix on the matter of BMW Sauber and Williams but…

« It may happen that the decision of the Court of Appeal aligns with the demand of the McLaren team, but this remains very unlikely. Even if the judges exclude the BMW and the Williams, they are not obliged to reclassify Hamilton, really not… » concluded Mosley.