Damon Hill, Britain's last world champion, has tipped Lewis Hamilton to build on his impressive debut season, despite the additional pressure and expectations he now faces.

Hill, the 1996 drivers' title winner for Williams, has been among the most vocal admirers of the 23-year-old's sensational rookie season for McLaren last year, when Hamilton won four races and nearly the championship.

But to the Times newspaper, Hill - now boss of the BRDC - points out that the flip side of Hamilton's form last year is that "he has created very high expectations and anything less and he's a loser."

"It's a case of 'welcome to the sharp end - in this game there is only one winner'. But he knows that.

"Lewis is tough and I think he won't disappoint us," Hill added.