Hamilton and Senna in the same league, but different characters - Lowe

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Williams tech boss Paddy Lowe believes that Lewis Hamilton's speed and talent compares favourably with the genius of Ayrton Senna.

Hamilton's 65th career pole position in Canada equaled the achievement of the legendary Brazilian, which has led to an inevitable comparison between the two drivers.

Lowe worked with both men during his career, and sheds some light on how the Mercedes drivers measures up to his idol.

"Stating the obvious, they both sit within the one handful of greats that there are in the history of the sport," Lowe said last Saturday in Montreal after qualifying.

"Those great drivers are able to pull out an extraordinary lap. You kind of saw that with Lewis today. Probably on Mercedes' estimations and all their simulations, that time wasn't in the car.

"They didn't have it on their charts for today. They probably thought Ferrari had them after P3 and then Lewis will go out there and really dig deep.

"They can't do it every Saturday but every now and again they just go out there and something really extraordinary is required and they produce a lap where you go: 'Wow, where on earth did that come from?'

"And Lewis is certainly one to do that, and so was Ayrton."

Lowe noted however that the Hamilton and Senna were two very different characters, both on and off the track.

"I think character wise they were quite different," said the Williams tech chief.

"People criticise Hamilton for a number of things but actually he is within it all a real gentleman and a very fair racer. Hard but fair.

"With Ayrton, we have a tendency to get a bit rose tinted. Mostly I was playing against Ayrton, that is why I struggle a bit with perspective, but mostly I was at Williams in those days and Ayrton was the guy we were struggling to beat.

"We eventually did in 1992 but it seemed impossible in the years building up to it, and he was ruthless. He had some various tactics to intimidate his opposition, but that was more the name of the game back then.

"I was talking to Riccardo Patrese the other day about this and without mentioning any specific instances, bearing in mind you didn't get a penalty for blocking in qualifying in those days, you just had to go and see the bloke and intimidate him so he didn't screw you over again.

"That is how it was back then. Now you can rely on the police to give the guy a ticket! It is a very different world and Ayrton played it how he had to back then."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.