Lewis Hamilton could go on to beat Michael Schumacher's all-time record

Lewis Hamilton made a spectacular F1 debut in 2007, losing the drivers' title to Kimi Raikkonen by a single point.

However, the 23-year-old's debut season was also marred by his spats with former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso and the fall-out of the "spy row".

McLaren were fined £50m and lost all their constructors' points after being found in possession of confidential Ferrari technical data.

The pressure of the politics surrounding the sport and the media spotlight even led to suggestions by Hamilton that he could quit.

But instead he has signed a new five-year deal with McLaren, reported to be worth £10m per year, and Mosley says that was the right decision.

Mosley also insisted that new FIA guidelines, which will see drivers charged £7,441 for the required super licence and £1,488 per point they win, will be used to improve safety.

Mosley also explained a change to the structure for race stewards for this season.

The highly respected permanent steward, Tony Scott-Andrews, has retired and will not be replaced.

Instead, Alan Donnelly, formerly a Labour member of the European Parliament and last season Mosley's representative in the paddock, will be a non-voting administrator.