'Phenomenal' Lewis Hamilton branded 'serious title challenger' in debut F1 season

Lewis Hamilton's extraordinary entrance into Formula 1 reached new heights at the 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix, where the McLaren rookie secured an unprecedented third consecutive podium finish, prompting team bosses to declare him a genuine championship contender.

The 22-year-old finished second behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the Bahrain International Circuit, marking him as the first driver in F1 history to stand on the podium in each of his opening three grands prix.

The achievement shattered the previous benchmark of two consecutive podium finishes, set by Peter Arundell in 1964.

Hamilton's performance was made all the more remarkable by the calibre of opposition he bested.

His McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso, the reigning two-time drivers' champion, could only manage fifth place, finishing 2.5 seconds behind the British newcomer after a frustrating afternoon in Sakhir.

Massa controlled proceedings from pole position to claim victory for Ferrari, finishing 2.360 seconds clear of Hamilton, with Kimi Räikkönen securing third for the Scuderia. Yet it was the rookie's consistency that dominated post-race discussion.

Championship credentials confirmed

McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh was unequivocal in his assessment of Hamilton's burgeoning title credentials.

"Three races in to be a contender for the world championship is phenomenal," Whitmarsh said. "We all have to conclude now that Lewis is a serious title challenger.

"He'll want to go better now and win a race. I don't think anybody doubts that he will do that this season."

The Bahrain result created a historic three-way tie at the top of the drivers' standings. Hamilton, Alonso and Räikkönen sat level on points, the first time the top three had been equal since the 1950 Indianapolis 500.

Hamilton's immediate impact alongside Alonso had already raised eyebrows within the paddock. The rookie had outqualified his decorated team-mate in two of the opening three races and now held a superior race record, having beaten the Spaniard on track in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Whitmarsh's prediction of an imminent race victory would prove prescient. Just three rounds later, Hamilton claimed his maiden triumph at the Canadian Grand Prix, the first of four wins in a sensational debut campaign that would see him finish runner-up to Räikkönen by a single point.