Jordan: 'Hamilton will be champion with four races to go!'

Channel 4's talking head Eddie Jordan believes that Lewis Hamilton could line up on Sunday's grid leaner and meaner than ever following the disappointment of losing the 2016 title.

The former Jordan Grand Prix team owner says the Mercedes driver let complacency seep through his cracks last season, with team mate Nico Rosberg taking full advantage when Hamilton lowered his guard.

"Hamilton got a big shock last year," Jordan told Autosport.

"He left at the summer break looking invincible - as if he was commanding everything that needed to be done, and he took his eye off the ball.

"And Rosberg, some might say he was lucky, some may not, but he took full advantage and he won a championship.

"[Hamilton] realises he should be a four-time world champion. He's not. So he's now going to make sure that he doesn't make the same mistake twice."

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Jordan believes that had Rosberg not retired and found himself once again facing Hamilton, the Brit would have exactly the same frame of mind.

"Even if Hamilton had Rosberg in the [other] car, I still think Hamilton would win it because he's so wounded after what happened last year.

"Don't be surprised to see Hamilton just annihilate everybody. That's what most people are expecting."

Jordan isn't giving Valtteri Bottas much of the benefit of the doubt however, believing  the Finn will have his work cut out to challenge his superstar team mate, with the latter emerging a convincing winner.

"Bottas will be strong but can he really take the fight [to Hamilton]?" askes Jordan.

"Even if he was to win the first race in Australia, can you see him winning over a 20 race period? I don't see it.

"It will take Bottas, irrespective of how good he is, to learn the team, the car, because most things will be going Hamilton's way.

"I see Hamilton having it won with four races to go!"