Is Hamilton the next Schumacher?

Some say he is the next Michael Schumacher. Some say he has the characteristics to be the next Schumacher. But for me there was and will be only one Schumi just like there was only one Ayrton Senna. Well, I am obviously talking about the much hyped future of F1, Lewis Hamilton.

The Brit driver has taken the world by storm and the comparisons are inevitable, just like they were when Schumi ruled the circuit. But as a person (like many in this world) who started recognizing the sport because of Schumi and not the other way round (before I started following the sport), likening Hamilton to the record 7 time world champion is annoying. Although the 22 yr old has done enough to prove he has the makings of a great driver (8 podium finishes in 8 races in debut season), his journey has just begun and he obviously has a long way to go. I would however agree that the Brit driver has added spice and competitive edge to a sport which many including me thought would decline post the Schumi era.

But, one thing that crosses my mind is that Senna died in a car crash the same year (1994) when Schumi won his first drivers’ championship (Senna had won the championship in 1991 when the German driver made his debut). We were surely deprived of what could have been a great battle between two champion drivers for whom nothing mattered more, than winning. And again Schumi retired just a season before Hamilton made his debut.

Is this a mere co-incidence or destiny? Well, destiny I say, because maybe Senna died so that a Schumacher could be born and Schumi retired so that a Hamilton could be born. So, maybe, just maybe, Hamilton is not meant to be the next Schumi, but in the league of extraordinary gentlemen comprising the likes of Senna and Schumi. And, may be, just may be, my prediction may come true!