Hamilton could win in F1

Rumour stirred around Silverstone on Sunday after the 20 year-old's incredible drive in the second race where, from eighth on the grid, he ploughed through the field and took victory by an incredible 10.040 seconds; becoming the first driver in GP2 history to take two double wins in only six career rounds.

The overwhelming home support of Lewis Hamilton was starkly contrasted only hours later when Jenson Button's disappointing weekend reached bursting point - literally when an oil leak forced him out of the race from a promising position.

Whitmarsh had to admit that McLaren's attentions could not help being fixed on the young Brit who is poised to become the first black F1 driver.

"I think he could," he said when asked if he though Hamilton could win before Button. "He has the capability.

"I don't want to be hard on Jenson. I think Jenson is a very talented quick driver but Jenson has committed his future to Honda. Therefore I am not going to wish him a victory at the moment am I? I am going to wish victories on drivers in our stable.

Hamilton stunned with his superb overtaking move into Becketts where he lined up Nelson Piquet Jr and Clivio Piccione and launched himself into their battle for second on the outsid;, running three abreast through the bend and coming out in front.

"It all went silent at that point because we were so close," said Hamilton, "And I don't know if my body was preparing for something; you know when, if you're going to crash, your body gets ready to protect itself?

Given team boss Ron Dennis' open desire to bring him to McLaren, Whitmarsh is wary that if Hamilton's GP2 success continues as such that it will be harder for the Silver Arrow team to ignore it and avoid giving him an F1 seat.

"Performances like that make it very difficult don't they?" said Whitmarsh. "But it is a big jump and a big responsibility to jump into a seat at McLaren, and we have got to make sure we don't put too much pressure on him."