Lewis Hamilton’s sensational debut in 2007 which saw the Briton narrowly lose the world championship by a single point was down to luck rather than driver skill, Toyota’s Tim Glock has said.
Hamilton delivered beyond expectations in his maiden year losing the championship by a single point to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen after notching up 4 wins and 12 podiums – unprecedented for a rookie driver.
However, Toyota new-comer Timo Glock believes that Hamilton’s success was predominantly due to being in the right car.
“Lewis was just there in the right moment, in the right car,” he told the Reuters news agency.
“He did a good job but in the end it’s not one hero doing everything. It’s a team sport. You have to have the right package and the right timing. That’s what Lewis had last year.”
26-year-old Glock, who joins Toyota after winning the GP2 championship last year admits that he will struggle to achieve what Hamilton did in 2007. But Glock is adamant that he is as quick as the 23-year-old Mclaren driver.
“I think I am as aggressive as (Lewis) – I showed that in GP2 last year,” he said.
“I raced against Lewis in 2006. He beat me in a couple of races and I beat him in a couple of races. I know on the driving side I am on a good level.
“In Formula One it’s difficult to overtake but if I get a chance I will go for it. You have to find the right mix between being aggressive and staying out of trouble.”
2008 will not be the first time Glock as competed in F1. In 2004 the German driver had four starts with the then Jordan Team.
