Stewart: Hamilton to rewrite the book

That is the view of former world champion Jackie Stewart, who claims that Hamilton's speed and professionalism are going to mark him out as F1's benchmark driver over the next few years.

"Lewis is exceptional," Stewart told the British media. "The big success in life comes as much outside as inside the cockpit.

"You cannot make the other career work without being awfully good in the cockpit. Lewis already has that bit. He has the mind for it, the attitude, the God-given skill, but he is already recognising that he needs something else.

"That's why he is in the factory every day, that's why he is already more popular than many British drivers who have won world championships. And he is doing it with style and humility."

Stewart believes the approach that Hamilton has taken to F1 will have to be adopted by anyone wanting to follow in his footsteps.

"I think he is going to rewrite the book. We will see a new generation of what I call properly prepared professional racing drivers. I don't think there is one who is that.

"(Michael) Schumacher became that but I am talking about fully-rounded. Schumacher was not as good as he should have been, not in terms of the driving but the total package.

"I believe Lewis will create the new benchmark for a whole generation of drivers. Niki Lauda and James Hunt changed the culture of racing drivers. They were not role models.

"They said nothing, didn't give a damn. Lewis Hamilton can become the role model. Everybody needs one."

And Stewart believes that Hamilton's professionalism has put Kimi Raikkonen's more relaxed approach to the job in complete contrast.

"The way he lives his life is contrary to allowing him to put together the complete package, the kind that allowed Schumacher to win multiple championships, Senna and Prost, Jim Clark or even me. It is an attitude, a mentality, and a way of doing business. Our lifestyle, mind, make-up was different from a Raikkonen.

"That is why Hamilton has the opportunity to be dominant over time and Raikkonen doesn't, unless something substantial changes."