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Lewis Hamilton believes he has a realistic chance of becoming world champion in his first Formula 1 season after moving into a joint points lead following Bahrain.
The British driver is now tied on 22 points with teammate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
And having outpaced Alonso at Sakhir on the way to a record-breaking third podium in three races, Lewis said he now regards himself as a title contender.
"Absolutely, I don’t see why not," he said after the race.
"I have the same car (as Alonso) and I seem to be as competitive as him, so as long as I can keep up this consistency.
"I feel a lot more comfortable now that a win is going to be possible.
"We just have to make no mistakes and try to take advantage of these three or four weeks that we have until the next race, and try to keep on beating the Ferraris."
Hamilton's comments came as other figures in the paddock began to tip him as a potential champion rookie.
"I think people at the start thought Lewis was clearly a very fast driver, and he started very, very strongly," McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh told autosport.com.
"But we all have to conclude now that he is a serious title challenger this year."
Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart is certain that even if Hamilton does not win the championship this year, he won't have long to wait.
"It's not inconceivable it could be done this year because McLaren look like the team to beat," Stewart told the BBC.
"If not, expect it within the next three.
"He is, of course, driving for one of the best teams in the world at the present time, with a competitive car, but nevertheless he's been able to accomplish more in a shorter time than any driver I've ever seen enter Formula 1."
Bahrain winner Felipe Massa believes that Hamilton has as good a chance as any of the four drivers in the leading teams.
"Looking at how tight and how close both cars are, Ferrari and McLaren, it’s quite difficult to put money on any of us," he said.
Lewis' father Anthony has been careful to keep expectations under control, but as he admitted to ITV Sport immediately after the race, his son's performances keep on raising the bar.
"It's more than we ever would have expected, and I think we're in the title hunt aren't we?" he said to Louise Goodman.
"I thought if we end up sixth or seventh this year, I'd be happy.
"This is absolutely out of this world."
Source = ITV F1
The British driver is now tied on 22 points with teammate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
And having outpaced Alonso at Sakhir on the way to a record-breaking third podium in three races, Lewis said he now regards himself as a title contender.
"Absolutely, I don’t see why not," he said after the race.
"I have the same car (as Alonso) and I seem to be as competitive as him, so as long as I can keep up this consistency.
"I feel a lot more comfortable now that a win is going to be possible.
"We just have to make no mistakes and try to take advantage of these three or four weeks that we have until the next race, and try to keep on beating the Ferraris."
Hamilton's comments came as other figures in the paddock began to tip him as a potential champion rookie.
"I think people at the start thought Lewis was clearly a very fast driver, and he started very, very strongly," McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh told autosport.com.
"But we all have to conclude now that he is a serious title challenger this year."
Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart is certain that even if Hamilton does not win the championship this year, he won't have long to wait.
"It's not inconceivable it could be done this year because McLaren look like the team to beat," Stewart told the BBC.
"If not, expect it within the next three.
"He is, of course, driving for one of the best teams in the world at the present time, with a competitive car, but nevertheless he's been able to accomplish more in a shorter time than any driver I've ever seen enter Formula 1."
Bahrain winner Felipe Massa believes that Hamilton has as good a chance as any of the four drivers in the leading teams.
"Looking at how tight and how close both cars are, Ferrari and McLaren, it’s quite difficult to put money on any of us," he said.
Lewis' father Anthony has been careful to keep expectations under control, but as he admitted to ITV Sport immediately after the race, his son's performances keep on raising the bar.
"It's more than we ever would have expected, and I think we're in the title hunt aren't we?" he said to Louise Goodman.
"I thought if we end up sixth or seventh this year, I'd be happy.
"This is absolutely out of this world."
Source = ITV F1
to his 1st 3 races and 3 podiums, well done Lewis, respect, but do not forget one thing:
