F1 legend made Lewis Hamilton prediction 15 years ago - and absolutely nailed it
Murray Walker was regarded as a legend of Formula 1 during his lengthy broadcasting career, but the Brit's prediction about Lewis Hamilton's dominance showed there was plenty more to him than commentary alone.
Walker, who died in 2021 at the age of 97, was the voice of F1 for a number of years. He was recognisable for his commentary for both the BBC and ITV when the sport was shown on free-to-air television, and also served as an interviewer later in his career.
Formula 1 had moved to Sky Sports by the time Hamilton won his first title in dramatic fashion in 2008. The British driver was just 23 when he took the honours by the narrowest of margins despite failing to win the final race of the season, and at the time it felt as though there was more to come.
Walker certainly thought so, backing Hamilton to threaten Michael Schumacher's incredible record. Sure enough, more than a decade on, it's clear he knew what he was talking about, with Hamilton equaling Schumacher's seven drivers' championships and taking the German's record for grand prix wins.
“I’ve seen them come and I’ve seen them go, but never before have I had so many strangers stop me in the street wanting to know about this fresh-faced youngster who had kindled their interest in a sport they knew little about,” Walker wrote in the December 2008 edition of F1 Racing Magazine (via Planet F1). “Lewis has been a power of good for F1 at a time when it badly needed something to brighten its tarnished image.
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“We enthusiasts judge him with a slightly different yardstick, and he measures up to it very well. I’ve had people describe him as the greatest driver who has ever lived, which is a patently ridiculous thing to say, but in years to come he could be.
“To miss the title by a single point and to win four races in your debut season are unique achievements, but now, even as champion, he is only just beginning. With, potentially, another 15 years of racing ahead of him, he could eclipse Michael Schumacher’s overwhelming string of records – provided, and it’s a very big ‘provided’, he continues to enjoy the support of a top team with the right infrastructure."
How will Lewis Hamilton get on in 2024? Give your verdict in the comments section
Lewis Hamilton has broken Michael Schumacher's grand prix wins record (Getty Images)Retirement talk had surrounded Hamilton, now 38, before he opted to renew his Mercedes contract until 2025. Despite finishing last season as the top non-Red Bull driver, he was some way adrift of champion Max Verstappen, but feels he has more to give.
"It's the dream of standing on the top step, seeing your team," he said when asked about his motivation for keeping going. "One of the most amazing things is being able to look back and having the flag of the nation rising behind you, and seeing the team.
"I remember the first win I had with this team [in Hungary in 2013]. I have a particular picture of 2015 in Australia with the [team] down there in tears - it was just amazing to be a part of that.
"The power of that is a huge part of the drive. Winning the world championship is a huge part of the drive. Continuing to build with the team on the impact work we're doing, and continuing to push with the team with Mission 44. I don't know how far that can go and I'm trying to expand it, and that means I've got to raise more money."
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