Johnny Herbert: Like him or not, Lewis Hamilton deserves another F1 crown

I have no doubts that Lewis Hamilton is up there with the greats of Formula One after his brilliant win secured a third world title in what was an amazing US Grand Prix in Austin last weekend.

He’s not to everyone’s liking but you cannot deny the talent that this guy has. He’s an exciting driver to watch, a proper racer and, like his hero Ayrton Senna and other champions like Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, he wins by driving on the edge.

Look at the way he won on Sunday, going wheel to wheel with his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg at the first corner in what were properly testing conditions after the storms that had disrupted the weekend. Sure, he had a bit of luck with a safety car, which enabled him to nip into the pits for new tyres just when he needed them, but it was a well‑deserved win in what was an epic race throughout — a race that showed that, despite what the critics say, there is not much wrong with Formula One.

Lewis is in what I like to call his prime time — that age between 30 and 34 when a driver has experience and is settled in his team and his private life — and because of this I am sure there are more world titles heading his way.

Now to Mexico — for the first time since 1992 — which I am sure will be a vibrant affair.

Mexicans are passionate about their motorsport and in Sergio Perez and the improving Force India, there’s a chance they’ll be able to cheer him on to a podium place.

As for Lewis, it will be business as usual. He’ll want to maintain his stranglehold of this season with another win.

The blood in his veins is to win races… he won’t ease off.