Absolutely no disrespect to Lewis Hamilton, who has made a truly remarkable Formula One debut, but some sections of the media are getting more than a little carried away. Indeed, one wonders if some journos have discarded the preferred adult channels in their homes and hotel rooms in favour of replays of the youngster's performances in Melbourne and Sepang. Such is the level of out and out sycophancy we have witnessed in recent weeks.

While we await the inevitable fall from grace, because, mark our words, one day, no matter how far away that might be, the (British) media will turn, something that Ron Dennis and Anthony Hamilton will already be fully aware of.

Therefore, leaving aside the hacks' high praise, it's always good to hear the opinion of a race driver, particularly if he happens to be a World Champion.

OK, Damon Hill might only break cover to flog more tickets for the British Grand Prix or to cajole the government into supporting Silverstone, but he is a World Champion and winner of 22 Grand Prix, one of Britain's most successful F1 drivers.

Having been there and done that, Hill is far more pragmatic when it comes to the achievements, thus far, of the second McLaren driver.

"He's started off in a dream way," the 1996 World Champion told The Times. "Short of winning, he's shown he is admirably capable of running at the sharp end with no real problem. He's not limping into Formula One, he's come in and made people sit up and take notice.

"What he's done so far is an insurance policy," he continued, "because there are going to be hiccups between now and the end of the season. There is going to be the odd mistake, but people will forgive him that because of what he's done so far."

It is wrong to make comparisons, and who will forget Jackie Stewart proclaiming that Jan Magnussen was the new Ayrton Senna. However, Hill believes that Hamilton could come to dominate the sport in the same fashion as Michael Schumacher, who retired at the end of last season.

"I think Lewis is probably the closest we've got to a guy who can dominate and be at the top for a long time," said the Englishman. "All the factors seem to be conspiring in Hamilton's favour, including the retirement of Michael Schumacher, which has made space for new stars to emerge."

Having finished third and second in his first two Grand Prix, the obvious question is when will Hamilton make the next step, the one that places him at the top of the podium.

"Somewhere between now and the end of the season," says Hill, "that's going to happen and then he'll grow in stature and start to see himself differently, and we'll all start to see him as a championship contender."