Legend Lauda lauds Hamilton

Formula One legend Niki Lauda has tipped British rookie Lewis Hamilton to take

the world title in his first season.

No driver had ever claimed three podium finishes in his first three races

until Hamilton achieved the feat this year, and he currently sits joint top of

the standings with McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi

Raikkonen.

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Plenty of pundits have suggested Hamilton can win at least one race this

season, but Lauda, himself a three-time world champion, believes the 22-year-old

can go all the way.

"As unbelievable as it sounds, at the moment I can see Lewis Hamilton heading

the ranking," said the Austrian.

"Because of his young and clean experience - he is as fast as Alonso."

Lauda, the champion in 1975, 1977 and 1984, is expecting the season to be a

classic.

As well as the current top three, Raikkonen's team-mate, Felipe Massa, who won

last time out in Bahrain, is only five points off the leaders as McLaren and

Ferrari slug it out for supremacy.

"This season will be the most exciting for years, we will not only see a

shoot-out between the teams, but also amongst the team-mates," he continued.

"There will be a do-or-die fight between Alonso and Hamilton, and between

Massa and Raikkonen.

"I hope they will not give any team orders until the last two races.

"At the moment I cannot see a faster driver within either one of these teams,

so I don't think this will happen in the near future."