Jordan urges patience with Hamilton

Hamilton has become the youngest driver in history to lead a championship, after moving to the top of the standings following his third consecutive second place finish at last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

The British driver has enjoyed a flawless season so far, but Jordan reckons the media will have to show patience when he starts making mistakes.

"The media have a responsibility to be patient because when he has those problems he still has to be given credit. This is an exceptional talent," Jordan was quoted as saying by AFP.

Jordan believes Hamilton will need to be "supremely arrogant" in the car to become a regular winner in Formula One.

"There has to be something steely there, that we hope is in there. If there isn't he'll be swamped," Jordan said. "You need to be supremely arrogant. We haven't seen it yet but you need to have it and if he doesn't it will be his downfall.

"Winners generally are not nice people, they try to be but are immensely selfish, immensely arrogant, have total belief in their own ability and nothing else matters when they are at work. Hamilton seems to have a double persona. He's a polite, hugely attractive young man.

"I guarantee you he's not like that in the car, which is nice because many people can't differentiate."

The Irishman also reckons Hamilton's form has caught world champion Fernando Alonso by surprise.

"Alonso clearly thought he wouldn't be up to it, but to be fair I didn't think he'd be up to it," Jordan added.