RED BULL RACING'S driver Mark Webber doesn't mind talking about Lewis Hamilton.

But when asked by The Independent about the English driver, he wondered if anyone outside of England would be interested.

'Why not?' said the forthright Australian. 'In all the pre-season interviews I've done in England, everyone wants to talk about Lewis.'

Sourgrapes?

'Let's just say that nobody is talking about him anywhere else in the world,' said Webber.

Webber appears to resent comparisons made with Michael Schumacher.

'Look, he's talented, we all know that. But he's been in the sport for five minutes. People compare him with Schumacher. There is no comparison.

'When he wins the championship, then he's got six more to win before he can be compared to Schumacher.

LONGEVITY

'Yeah, he had a great first year. It was extraordinary what he did. But great sports stars are measured by longevity. Pele, Steffi Graf, whoever.

'Also, his career has gone off like a rocket ship, but it won't always be like that.

'He's young and he's black, which makes him unique in this sport, but that's got a shelf life.

'He won't stop being black but it will stop being a novelty. '