Hamilton's title chances may have gone for ever, warns Button

Lewis Hamilton could have blown his best chance of ever winning the Formula One world title, Jenson Button warned last night.

The rookie looked like creating history when he had 12-point lead in the drivers' championship with two races left.

But mistakes on worn tyres in China and at the start in Brazil — Hamilton's fault rather than McLaren's, according to Button — meant he was beaten by a point by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton, 22, consoled himself by insisting he would have many more opportunities to be crowned champion, but his British rival believes the young star might never be in the same position.

'He's a great driver, but there are lots of great drivers in Formula One who did not have his package,' said Honda's Button.

'What would worry me is the lost opportunity. You can't say in my sport: "Oh well, I only missed out by a point so next year I'll go one better". It doesn't work like that. He should be sick as a dog because another chance like that might not come round again.'