Former Formula One driver and current Porsche sports-car ace Mark Webber thinks reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton can bounce back and secure his third consecutive title this year.
After another troubled weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan, Hamilton's deficit to Nico Rosberg blew back out to 24 points as he declared, "It's looking like a good year for Nico."
However, Webber said on Austrian Servus TV on Tuesday: "I think Lewis can still win the title. He's dangerous and fast when he's in the right mood. If he can show every weekend what he can do, he can still make it difficult for Nico."
By the same token, Webber said it is possible that Rosberg will win his first F1 title.
"As long as Nico does not have to deal with the real Lewis too often, he has a chance," he said.
Another former F1 driver, Jean Alesi, thinks Baku could be the kick in the pants that Hamilton needs to fuel another run.
"Lewis Hamilton learned a lesson in humility," Alesi told the French broadcaster Canal Plus.
Alesi said it is noteworthy that Hamilton went into the Baku weekend declaring that it was not a street circuit in the same class as Monaco.
"I think when you have a car as good as the Mercedes is today, it's easy to fall into a trap," Alesi said. "I think Lewis will go home with some humility, because you have to treat a difficult track like that more seriously.
"After the third practice, his pace disappeared. I believe that from time to time, a driver needs a cold shower such as this."
