2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been voted the world’s favourite driver, with his McLaren squad earning the accolade of most loved team.

These were the findings of the ING/F1 Racing Formula 1 survey – an exhaustive investigation that straddled the globe in order to track the profiles, viewing habits and preferences of the average Formula 1 fan.

Officially unveiled earlier this month at Monte Carlo’s prestigious Motor Sport Business Forum, and with nearly 70,000 fans polled, it’s the most exhaustive, accurate and authoritative survey of the year.

When asked to name their favourite driver, the fans’ verdict was overwhelming: Lewis scooped top honours with a massive 27 per cent of the vote – more than 10 per cent ahead of his closest rival, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. Fernando Alonso racked up 12 per cent with Felipe Massa taking nine per cent.

In the teams category, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes also emerged on top, receiving 29 per cent of the vote, ahead of Ferrari (28), Renault (six) and Williams (six).

Lewis said: “I think the standard of drivers currently racing in Formula 1 is higher than it’s been for years so I’m humbled to have earned the fans’ support. Drivers like Kimi, Felipe, Fernando, Robert and myself have made the battles at the front probably the closest and most exciting they’ve ever been – and, more than anything, I hope that’s what the fans enjoy the most.

“The icing on the cake is the popularity of the team. I know just how hard everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes works – they’ve done an unbelievable job this year and every single member of the team deserves this honour.”

By Christopher Hayes on Thursday, December 18, 2008