Nigel Mansell: Lewis Hamilton's success down to Mercedes

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports Mansell was complimentary about his compatriot, saying, "everybody knows I am a Lewis fan and he is doing an outstanding job."

But he made no bones about expounding his view that Hamilton's success is in large part down to the car he drives - saying that the combination of Hamilton's skill and the superb machinery at his disposal could see him overtake Michael Schumacher as the most successful driver of all time.

"Mercedes are the best of the best by far," said Mansell.

"With the backing of Mercedes he can go on to maybe challenge Michael Schumacher's records.

"Long, long way to go, of course, but it's possible because I'm sure Mercedes wants to be the best of the best for a long time to come."

Mansell was asked about Bernie Ecclestone's comments on Hamilton this week, in which the octogenarian motorsport magnate described the reigning F1 drivers' champion as "the best we've ever had".

And 1992 F1 champion Mansell was quick to pour cold water on Ecclestone's claims - saying that Hamilton is merely one of several superstars of the sport in an era rich with talent.

"I think that's very strong. I think Lewis is a great world champion but there are many great world champions," he said.

"It's just that he's got the unbelievable backing of a incredible manufacturer and that's wonderful to have.

"There's great world champions there already, three or four of them racing with him. Given the same car and opportunity they would be doing the same job."

Mansell has it absolutely right on the importance of the car. Hamilton is an outstanding driver, but no more or less so than Sebastian Vettel during the era of Red Bull domination which saw the German clinch four titles. Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, has shown time and again that he has an astonishing ability to compete even behind the wheel of an inferior car; and Kimi Raikkonen clinched one of the closest title races in history when he claimed his sole crown back in 2007.

As for Hamilton adding five or six more titles to his current two, however? That seems stupendously unlikely. There have been similar periods of dominance by one team in the sport before now, notably McLaren claiming seven titles in eight years from 1984-1991, and Michael Schumacher winning five titles in a row for Ferrari from 2000-05. Each time, other teams have come along to challenge the status quo - and it seems hard to imagine that Ferrari, Red Bull or someone else won't find a way to get their cars ahead of the Silver Arrows long before Hamilton is crowned greatest of all time.