Three-time champion and Britain's most successful Formula 1 driver up until last weekend, Sir Jackie Stewart, says Lewis Hamilton has now earned the right to be called Britain's greatest after clinching a fourth world championship on Sunday.
Hamilton now joins an elite club of three drivers with four titles alongside Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost, leaving Stewart behind, but the Scottish driver insists his record was always meant to be broken and added that Hamilton had earned it.
"I have held the record for 44 years and records are meant to be broken," said Stewart.
"He [Hamilton] has earned it. He has made big decisions. He left McLaren and that was a surprise to a lot of people including me. He made that right decision and went to Mercedes, it was a big decision and the right decision. He has learnt so much."
Stewart believes having Niki Lauda as a mentor in the Mercedes team has helped Hamilton to achieve what he has, but ultimately, it's the Briton who has driven the car and got the results he's needed to succeed.
"Niki Lauda has been able to guide Lewis very well. He has huge experience, he is three-time world champion and been through so much, a lot more than me and in fact died twice and was resuscitated.
"Niki has been able to guide Lewis a great deal and soften some of the emotions from time to time.
"Lewis has been in a great team with a great package but nevertheless you have to drive the car and get it to the finish line."
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