Originally Posted by V12
Nobody is the next anybody - but the drivers whose career Hamilton's has most resembled so far is Jacques Villeneuve.
Arrived in F1 as arguably the best prepared debutant in history to date.
Came second in first year in best (or in Hamilton's case, equal best) car.
Won title in second year in best/equal best car.
Occasional spirited drive in third year in what is no more than a points-scoring machine, despite staying with the same team, as the new teams of Adrian Newey and Ross Brawn come to the fore.
Of course that last point is a "so far" for Hamilton, but still.
History may regard him as something of a one-hit-wonder, but I remember that around this time 11 years ago, despite no longer being in the best car, Villeneuve was regarded as still being right in the top drawer, being masked by second-rate machinery, as Hamilton is similarly regarded now.
That's not to say Hamilton will leave McLaren, go join a new team set up by his manager (his dad in this case!), spend the next few years there for high financial reward but little sporting reward, only to be outdone by his new teammate in 2014 which sees him sit out 2015 before his career fizzles out mid way through 2017, because like I said nobody is the next anybody, but if you insist on doing driver comparisons I'd say Villeneuve makes more sense than Schuey at this moment in time. If Hamilton racks up a few more titles over the years then we can come back and talk.