Formula One legend Nigel Mansell has praised Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for its foresight and commitment in picking out young drivers.

Lewis Hamilton’s meteoric rise to fame this year has surprised many within the industry and Mansell has attributed his success to the work carried out by talent-spotters and coaches within the ranks.

"I think Lewis may have been a special case," he told the Royston Mercury. "He was hand picked and I don’t think anyone will look to do something similar, there a lot of costs and a lot of investment.

"Other teams may perhaps look at doing it but it’s a very hard thing to achieve what Lewis has so far and full credit to him."

An 11-year-old Hamilton famously approached McLaren boss Ron Dennis and told him he would one day race for his team. He was soon taken in by the designated development programme and his progress since has been truly breathtaking.

Hamilton is currently performing exceptionally well in the drivers’ championship with 38 points - the same as team-mate Fernando Alonso - and he has helped to give Vodafone McLaren Mercedes a 20 point lead in the constructors’ championship.

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