Niki Lauda: Champion 1975, 1977, 1984
”I am very impressed with his general progress. He drives very well indeed and particularly in the opening races of the year, when he was establishing his reputation, he was not only quick but made no mistakes as far as I could see.
”He is cool and confident with a quiet assurance about him, which I find attractive. He certainly gives the impression of being very well organised and has a good temperament — very simpatico, if you like — and normal. I get the impression that he comes from a stable background and his father, John, certainly seems to be a good influence on him. I like them both, to be honest.
”I think if Jenson has one slight problem it is a need to assert himself decisively over his teammate Takuma Sato who has been surprisingly quick in some races. I know Sato has been inconsistent, but that doesn’t alter the fact that, if Jenson really wants to make the next step up, he’ll have to raise his game to keep control of Sato. But that is all part of the challenge involved in shaping your career and reputation.
”BAR has made an incredible step forward with this year’s car and given him the equipment to win if he has a bit of luck.”
Damon Hill: Champion 1996
”There is an understated quality about Jenson, almost as if he doesn’t want to make a lot of noise when he’s away from the car and that he would prefer that his performance behind the wheel spoke for his level of achievement alone.
”It’s always difficult to judge but the signs are that he has the speed and the temperament to get the job done. The BAR-Honda is obviously a pretty good car and he’s got a lot going for him.
”I think he could be the sort of driver who thrives on success. He obviously has the speed and the commitment to get the job done. He’s in the position, at the stage in his career, when he wants to believe that it can happen. But, when you’ve been in formula one, you come to appreciate that there are no certainties. His big challenge now is to make it happen.”
Jackie Stewart: Champion 1969, 1971, 1973
”There are a lot of drivers who are very quick but who can’t apply the levels of mind management necessary to achieve consistent success. From this viewpoint Jenson is getting stronger all the time.
”He may find it a little frustrating not yet having been able to nail down that first victory but, as I know from first-hand experience, when you knock that wall down, subsequent success is easier to achieve.
”We’ve seen this on many occasions in the past that, when a driver scores his first victory, he very often follows it up with a second and a third win quite quickly. That could easily happen to Jenson.” — Â