Good guys can be winner, says Dennis

"Both of these drivers are role models for young people," he said at the Monaco Grand Prix of 22-year-old rookie Hamilton and double world champion Fernando Alonso. "People relate to the fact that good guys can win.

"There are drivers that are prepared to do anything to win, they've been in Formula One and left, but [Lewis] isn't one of them.

"That's the sort of focus and approach that he has to his motor racing, and I think people relate very positively to it."

Sunday's race comes a year after Ferrari's seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, now retired, raised a furore after blocking his rivals in final qualifying to secure pole position.

The German, Formula One's most successful driver whose stellar career of 91 wins was nonetheless punctuated by highly questionable actions, was subsequently demoted to the back of the grid.

Dennis was speaking a day after he had criticised Formula One's 'rash of so-called experts' for their character assessments of Hamilton.

The British driver is two points clear of Alonso in the standings after becoming the sport's youngest championship leader.

Despite finishing his first four races on the podium, unprecedented for a rookie, Hamilton has had his character questioned by some in the same way that compatriot Jenson Button was once accused of being 'too nice'.

"I think you need a hard edge to your personality if you are going to be a really successful driver in Formula One," former team owner Eddie Jordan told Britain's Guardian newspaper earlier in the week.

"You need to be supremely arrogant...you need to have it and if Lewis doesn't, it will be his downfall."

The driver had rejected that view on Wednesday, saying: "I don't know if I particularly believe that 'win at all costs' is the way forward."