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Iain Williams in Caracas, Venezuela.
A Reuters story at www.reuters.com
Indianapolis, Indiana - Lewis Hamilton enters Tiger territory this week and whether Formula 1's new hero likes it or not comparisons will abound ahead of Sunday's US Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who won his first Grand Prix on June 10 at Montreal, has tried to distance himself from the inevitable comparison with Tiger Woods, saying their situations have little in common.
There are undeniable links for American sports fans, however, and with the world's top golfer teeing up at the US Open only a few hundred kilometres east the pair will be under scrutiny this weekend.
But Hamilton said after his Canadian GP win: "I'm not Tiger; I have to prove myself before people can make those types of comparisons."
The US Open is guaranteed huge television ratings in America with Woods in the field but whether Hamilton can bring the same buzz and audience to the US Grand Prix is far from certain.
Hamilton was the main attraction in Montreal, filling the marketing void left by the departure of local hero Jacques Villeneuve from F1.
Motor racing fans filled the stands at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve despite the absence of the Canadian driver, many eager to get a first glimpse of the Briton who has captivated the sport with his supreme skill and everyman personality.
22-year-old Hamilton's drawing power, however, will be put to the test at the famed Brickyard as he bids for his seventh podium finish in his first seven races.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George is in tough negotiations with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to keep the race at his track; he'll be prime among those hoping that Hamilton's presence will give the race a jolt of interest.
Putting people back in the Brickyard's sprawling bleachers will not be easy, however, with many American motorsport fans still harbouring bitter memories of the 2005 race that resulted in the biggest fiasco in F1 history.
Not since Mario Andretti lifted the F1 Drivers' title in 1978 has the US had a legitimate interest in the race.
Hamilton has quickly become one of the world's most recognisable athletes but he walked the streets of New York and Washington days before Sunday's US Grand Prix unnoticed except by a few European tourists.
He said later: "I was recognised a couple of times but once it was a Spanish couple and there was a couple of English tourists but none of the Americans."
Despite Hamilton's uneasiness at comparisons to Woods, the similarities between the two are striking.
Unruffled
Like Woods, Hamilton is articulate and thoughtful. He has have found success at every level and is unruffled by the spotlight.
McLaren identified Hamilton as a potential future champion at an early age, signing him to a development contract when he was 13.
Even Nascar recognises the importance of unearthing such a talent and has instituted a diversity programme designed to identify and support youngsters attempting to break into top-flight racing.
