Rosberg says Hamilton ready for F1

That is the view of last year's GP2 champion Nico Rosberg, who is convinced that Hamilton has what it takes to make an immediate impression when he starts racing for McLaren.

"He's talented and he's a really good driver and even an F1 car is still a racing car," Rosberg told this week's Autosport.

"There are a lot of other things around the racing that you have to learn and pick up and that can be energy-consuming - that's one side which isn't easy. But driving the car fast will not be a problem for him."

Rosberg proved how quickly drivers can shine in F1 when he set the fastest lap during his debut race in Bahrain earlier this year.

And although Hamilton is going to have the added difficulty of being teammate to double world champion Fernando Alonso, Rosberg is confident that his friend's strong self-belief will see him through any difficulties he may encounter.

"It's good for Lewis because he will be able to learn a lot," explained Rosberg. "He's the quickest guy and if Lewis does manage to beat him, as a newcomer that would be brilliant.

"The downside is that maybe it won't be easy sometimes for him to get used to being beaten, or being up against a guy who's more consistent because he knows the sport better.

"Fernando pushes the limits pretty far and Lewis might find that hard to get used to straight away. That's when he'll have to rely on his self-belief."