Stewart backs Hamilton for title

The 22-year-old McLaren driver is joint top of the drivers' standings after becoming the first man in the history of the sport to to finish on the podium in his first three Grands Prix.

"It's not inconceivable it could be done this year because McLaren look like the team to beat. If not, expect it within the next three," three-time champion Stewart told BBC Radio Four. "Lewis Hamilton will certainly be in contention and could easily win the world championship."

He added: "He is, of course, driving for one of the best teams in the world at the present time, with a competitive car, but nevertheless he's been able to accomplish more in a shorter time than any driver I've ever seen enter Formula One."

Hamilton was the first driver to finish the podium on his debut since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 when he finished third in Australia.

Second-placed in Malaysia and Bahrain see him tied at the top of the world championship on 22 points with Finn Kimi Raikkonen and Spain's defending champion Fernando Alonso, Hamilton's McLaren team-mate.

Barring the inaugural world championship in 1950, no rookie has ever become world champion. Stewart has warned Hamilton is bound to make some mistakes in his young career but backed him to lift the title sooner rather than later.

"It's no easy matter getting into Formula One and attacking the great talents that are out there," Stewart said.

"For a new driver to do that with such consistency and not to be making the kind of mistakes that new drivers usually make is in itself a remarkable achievement.

"It's not unusual for a driver to do very well in his first year and have a bit of a dip in the second year. That's par for the course."