'Lewis F1 effect is exaggerated'

Lewis Hamilton's effect on the popularity of Formula One has been exaggerated, according to FIA president Max Mosley.

And the world motorsport chief has expressed fears that continued success for the McLaren sensation could be "negative" for the world's most glamorous sport.

The 22-year-old from Stevenage, F1's first black driver, became the sport's most successful rookie as he was pipped to a maiden World Drivers' Championship title by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen by just one point.

But Mosley believes Hamilton's fame is a consequence of his novelty value and attention could easily have been attracted by one of the other young drivers in the paddock.

The FIA president said: "He has certainly helped enormously in the UK. He's also got a lot of interest worldwide because he's come manifestly not from a rich background. He's just made it.

"There is always somebody new. If it wasn't him it would be either (Nico) Rosberg or (Robert) Kubica or one of the other new stars, a (Sebastian) Vettel, would suddenly be the big one. So I think there is a tendency to exaggerate the importance of Lewis Hamilton."

Mosley also revealed that he is worried about the "Schumacher effect" should Hamilton match his performance of his debut season next year.

He added: "If he does the same thing next season as he's done this season, it will certainly have a big effect.

"It will start to be negative because we'll get the Schumacher effect where people start writing to me saying can't you do something to slow him down."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.