Formula 1 News (February):

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Barrichello backing Lewis

Britain's Lewis Hamilton is on track to become Formula One's next World Champion, according to fellow driver Rubens Barrichello.

In his rookie season Hamilton narrowly missed out on the title after leading for most of the season, losing it in the final race in Brazil to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

However, Hamilton needn't be too concerned as veteran Honda driver Barrichello reckons it will not be long before the Brit clinches the first of many titles.

"I think he's a great driver and I'm a fan of his," the Brazilian told crash.net.

"When I had my first year in Formula One I was in a bad car and had to live with that; he was in a good car, but he coped well with the expectations.

"Obviously we think he could have been Champion if it wasn't for this or that, but I just think the guy is superb and he's going to be a Champion soon."

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'Williams not winners yet'

Williams technical director Sam Michael has said they don't yet have the pace to challenge Ferrari and McLaren for race wins, despite impressing to pre-season testing.

With Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima behind the wheel of the all-new Toyota-powered FW30, Williams has produced some impressive lap times so far.

During the most recent test at Jerez, Williams finished in the top four on all four days, with Rosberg and Nakajima coming home in second and third place on day three of the test.

However, despite such promising outings, Michael is of the belief that the FW30 is not yet capable of winning races.

"We've got a good reference but we're definitely not quick enough to go and win grands prix, which is what our target is," he told Autosport.

"We're still far enough from McLaren and Ferrari that we need to take some big steps to compete with them.

"But the car's a good step on from where it was last year, and we finished the season relatively strongly. If we can keep going in that direction then that is the most important thing."

Predictions

As to where Williams will be in the pecking order, Michael says it's too early to make any real predictions.

Nevertheless, he did suggest that BMW Sauber might be leading the chase to the leading pair, in spite of their early struggles with the balance on their F1.08 car.

"It's always difficult to see other team's problems because they're not always visible from the outside. And you think they're major problems but there will be other things behind the scenes," Michael added.

"I don't think BMW have much of a problem looking at their lap times in the last day of Valencia and all the way through Barcelona.

"They are competitive - they may not be where McLaren and Ferrari are but they're definitely at the front of the chasing pack."

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Ecclestone comments 'unacceptable'

Bernie Ecclestone is in hot water with an anti-racism group and the FIA after dismissing recent racism aimed at Lewis Hamilton as a "one-off."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme, Ecclestone brushed aside the behaviour of a group of spectators at the Barcelona circuit who racially taunted Hamilton during a test session a fortnight ago.

"It was a one-off, nothing to worry about," F1's commercial rights controller said.

But Weyman Bennett of the campaign 'Unite Against Fascism' has now slammed Ecclestone for his somewhat blasé attitude.

"I think these comments are totally unacceptable," Bennett told The Guardian.

"There should be a clear message that bigotry and racism are not tolerated in Formula One. I think the idea that when people are racist you ignore them is just not acceptable."

Dismissive

Ecclestone also dismissed the FIA's 'Racing Against Racism' campaign, which is set to be launched at this year's Spanish Grand Prix, saying: "I don't think it's necessary."

However, a spokesperson for F1's governing body told the newspaper: "The FIA has made its position very clear.

"We will not tolerate racism of any kind in our sport and we will take whatever steps necessary to ensure that such scenes of racial abuse are never witnessed again."

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Hamilton looking forward

Lewis Hamilton refused to get drawn into the ongoing row surrounding the racial abuse he suffered in Barcelona, saying he was only looking forward to the new Formula One season as he picked up his Newcomer of the Year prize at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Hamilton received his prestigious award in St Petersburg and was greeted warmly by Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, who has been heavily criticised for his comments that Barcelona was "a one-off...nothing to worry about".

22-year-old Hamilton did not want to get drawn into the row surrounding the racism and Ecclestone's comments though, and was keen to concentrate on matters on the track.

"It's not really something I want to comment on," Hamilton said when questioned about the racism saga.

Looking ahead

"I've moved forward and I'm looking forward to the first race. Honestly, I can't wait to get back out there.

"The first grand prix - the car is feeling good, the team feels good and I feel good and that's all that matters."

McLaren man Hamilton suffered final-race heartbreak last season as he was pipped to the World Championship by Kimi Raikonnen by just a single point.

After coming so close to becoming world champion in his rookie year, Hamilton is desperate to prove he is no flash in the pan by going one better this year.

It is all systems go for the new Formula One season, which starts in Melbourne on March 16, and Hamilton is feeling confident.

"My goals would be winning more races, finishing more races - last year we were very, very close to finishing every race so we have to try and improve that, more pole positions, fastest laps and then the main goal is to win the World Championship," he added.

"It's going to be a tough season again and by no means will it be easy so we are working as hard as we can.

"But I feel even more confident than last year, even more determined because I know what to expect, I know how to manage my time better, I know how to train better and how to drive better so I feel very optimistic."

New tricks

Despite the exposure he received last year, Hamilton insists he still has a few new tricks up his sleeve to surprise a few people.

"I still plan to take everyone by surprise personally. For sure coming into this season everyone knows what I can do but I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

"The preparations are going really well, for me it was really interesting to see the car I've been driving for a whole year evolve into something new.

"It's the same beast but just slightly better but it's a little more elegant and handles a little bit differently."

Hamilton also refused to compare himself to former world champion Michael Schumacher.

"For me just growing up Michael Schumacher was one of the big sporting heroes and one of the best drivers to come in to Formula One so for me he is not someone you can be compared to.

"So for me to be mentioned in the same sentence is a huge honour and I don't particularly compare myself to him.

"It would be great if he was still here because I'd love to see how I went up against him."