"Dangerous" Hamilton to land seventh Formula 1 title - Webber

Mark Webber would love to see Lewis Hamilton land his seventh Formula 1 world title this season.

Hamilton heads into the new campaign on the brink of F1 history as he could equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven championships.

The season, however, is already very different from past campaigns following a seventh-month break in between grands prix, and a calendar that at the most will likely run to 15 races.

Despite the lack of running for all drivers, former Red Bull star Webber is anticipating Hamilton to come flying out of the traps.

"Lewis Hamilton, even at eight and a half, nine out of 10, is still very dangerous," Webber told the 'At The Controls' podcast.

"He is quick, he makes so little mistakes, very self-critical, whether it's raining, whether it's a short qualifying format, whether it's a delayed start, whatever.

"He just has so many strings in his bow right now that if operationally Mercedes present him with a car that is going to be reliable at the first few events then clearly he is still the form guy, and he's the guy that needs the least running. He can be up to speed so fast.

"There are not many weak areas for Lewis when it comes to this kind of condensed programme, but the normal suspects are going to be there, no question about it."

Pushed on who will win the title this year, Webber continued to single out Hamilton, providing he has the right mindset.

"It is Lewis, he's clearly the favourite," added Webber.

"Austria [scene for the opening two grands prix] is interesting though. It's a different circuit. It's not going to be the form card. The asphalt there is very weird, it's a bit of funky layout. Mercedes hasn't enjoyed good success there actually.

"So let's see how that goes. It will be good if it is a different start because of that, in terms of someone else winning, and then Lewis taking the fight for the seventh world title, which I'd like to see him get, to be honest.

"I think it would be great. I don't want it given to him. He needs to go out and earn it."

Webber is fully expecting Hamilton to draw on influences such as Niki Lauda and Michael Jordan.

"There are two things in Hamilton's favour. One, he will never forget...I've been banging on about Niki Lauda. That guy had such an amazing influence on Lewis," assessed Webber.

"When he's having his tricky moments, and he's inventing excuses as to why it's getting a bit too tricky, the Lauda factor will be in there.

"And another thing, I've watched 'The Last Dance', this Michael Jordan documentary on Netflix, and another thing I think will really resonate with Lewis, is the way that he will find energy.

"Because he's so bloody good, often he is competing with himself. As long as he doesn't invent tricky situations in his own head and find fresh motivations, then he's still going to be dangerous for a few years to come."

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