I think a few of the posters here have a slightly skewed perception of what it takes to be an F1 champion. I have met a fair few of the modern and former racing greats through my current and previous employment and believe me they are extremely focused individuals. I'm sure Chris Hoy isn't arrogant enough to put his success all down to his own efforts though, I'm sure he credits the GB Cycling team with the majority of it, I'm sure Calzaghe would credit the team behind him with the success he has enjoyed too.
Schumacher, it has been said, would have excelled in any top level sport he had chosen to participate in, an incredibly focused individual, he could pedal any car you put him in to the best of its abilities.
I have met Hamilton only once, a fair few years ago, at the Autosport Awards, I think he was about to pick up the most promising newcomer award and was the youngest ever recipient. That was the night he told Ron Dennis he would like to drive for him some day, the rest, as they say, has been history. Lewis has shown, on the way up to F1 through the various formulae, that he can win in a car that is equal or close to the rest of the field and you don't get to drive in a top flight team unless you are a talented driver.
Extending the same arguments as put forward here how could any Soccer player deserve to win this award, surely the credit should go to the team, the same for Rugby, not to take anything away from those that have.