Former Formula One World Champion Damon Hill says if he had to take a bet on this year's Championship he would have to put his money on Kimi Raikkonen to reclaim his World Title ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalianen and Felipe Massa.

Before the Hungarian GP Hill admits that Hamilton was solidly in pole position for the championship but, given the performance of the respective cars in Hungary, Hill has been forced to change his bet.

McLaren's young Finnish driver Kovalainen won his first GP on Sunday with Raikkonen coming home in third place. The result means, despite having not won one of the previous seven Grand Prix's, the 29 year-old Ferrari driver is just five points behind his young British rival.

Hill said this season is a fan's dream because it is once again such an even contest at the top.

"Last season was remarkable and it is the same for this season.

"It is just so tight, with good drivers in both teams - Ferrari and McLaren.

"Right now they are all in with a shout, which is very good for the sport because you don't want it to become predictable and you don't want number one drivers in a team.

"But at this stage you just cannot call where the title is going to go. It could be any one of four.
"I wouldn't even discount Heikki, even though he knows he has pace to find on Lewis.

"But he will be boosted by winning a grand prix, so the ingredients are there, with all four looking more like seasoned drivers which is helping.

When it come to his own money though the experienced driver said his mind had changed after the events at the Hungaroring.
"If you had asked me before the race, though, who I would put money on, I would have said Lewis, but I have to say I would want my bet back.

"I'd be saying, 'Wait a moment, that Ferrari looks strong', so as an outside bet, I'd put my money on Raikkonen."

The former Williams driver was hugely impressed with Felipe Massa's showing on Sunday as well and said that it was pure bad luck that had cost the Brazilian driver.

"He made a great start, it was a great move - it was a Senna-esque overtaking manoeuvre," extolled Hill.

"But then he had such bad luck, and it can be quite difficult to pick yourself up from that.

"There is a huge gulf from something that is there on paper and what is real.

"To get within three laps, having a commanding lead, and then to have the engine blow like that after having driven such a great race is quite cruel."

[via FOX]