Dear Lewis: a re-evaluation needed?
Lewis Hamilton finished third in yesterday’s Australian Grand Prix, behind his team mate Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel. Button beat him fair and square, a relatively unusual event in the partnership. So what is wrong with McLaren’s boy wonder? Has growing up blunted the edge of his undoubted skill? And is it now time to re-evaluate Lewis Hamilton, the phenomenon? Here, a concerned fan writes to Mr Hamilton…
Dear Lewis,
We all know 2011 was a well-documented annus horribilis. You endured emotional as well as professional strife, and your racing consisted mainly of tooling around in a car whose lack of speed you despaired of, and crashing repeatedly into Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado. Enough conjecture and analysis has been spewed out to cover your misery last season.
But now it is 2012. Nicole Scherzinger is back on the scene, you and many will be pleased to note; Dider Coton of Hakkinen management fame is taking care of business; and the MP4-28 is simply a very fast racing car. And in its first outing, this weekend just gone in Australia, you stuck it on pole position, an act that seemed to herald the glorious return to form of the 2008 world champion. Then came Sunday. You lost out down to the first turn in a very un-Lewis-like fashion. Thereafter, you only looked vulnerable to the charging pack behind, rather than threatening to the man in front. A rather limp third, when your team mate drove within himself to win, just does not befit the Hamilton reputation.
Post-race, your smiles for your team’s rocket red celebrations seemed as unconvincing as your drive. Have you lost something? Can we still mention you as we used to in the same awed breath, and whisper the words ‘Senna’ and ‘heir’? Are you now just a good racing driver, not currently the equal of the experienced Button or the super-confident Vettel, or even the hard-charging Alonso?
The trouble is that although the above is a very tempting way to look at the situation, it doesn’t help you one bit. The reality is that the car is tremendously improved from last year and finally (fingers crossed) appears capable of challenging the Red Bulls regularly in qualifying and in the race. You have to remember that. Secondly, you put the thing on pole – no mean feat in a talented field. Thirdly, it was only a slice of Safety Car bad luck (the most unfair of them all) that you came third and not second.
I think I get where the rub is, though. How do you confront the unpleasant fact that Button took you to the cleaners? It’s not easy to swallow, judging by your face as the ‘team’ celebrated. But you can’t react by moping, that’s for sure. The temptation to think that the world is conspiring against you is a strong one, but there are no solutions at the bottom of that glass of poison.
Rather, you figure out what he’s done. Why is it that since Pirelli took over, he has seemed to have an edge? Is it his driving style? If so, you’re more than capable of copying and bettering it. Take your cue from Vettel at Red Bull and what he learned from Webber. Or is it that in this DRS world where everyone can overtake, your special talent for that is not recognised? Of course it isn’t. You were the best at that and you can be again, just as you can be the fastest.
It is a re-evaluation that is needed, but it’s you who needs to re-evaluate, not us. No one ever gained hegemony in F1 by sitting back and moaning. An evolved beast of a Hamilton would take that undoubted speed and talent to an unbeatable and dominant level.
Yours,
A fan
David | Mar 19, 2012 | Reply
I believe that the current rules suit Jenson Button considerably more than Lewis. Let me explain why:
1) Tyres: Before Pirelli arrived on the scene, Lewis was quicker than Jenson. The Bridgestone tyres were more conservative, and a driver could push harder. Pirelli tyres are (IMHO) too fragile, and only serve to improve the “show”, albeit artificially. Rival tyre makers have mocked Pirelli’s efforts. Lewis is an aggressive driver, and therefore cannot push the car in his distinctive style. Alonso and Massa are also aggressive drivers, and BOTH are suffering … neither driver has looked good since Bridgestone left in 2010! Jenson’s ultra-smooth driving style is paying huge dividends on Pirelli tyres. Is Jenson being faster than FA and LH? No chance.
2) Overtaking aids: DRS and KERS are artificial means of improving the show. I will never forget several races last year … cars were FLYING past each other, thanks to the DRS! DC admitted that DRS was an “artificial” method of overtaking, but it “gives us something to talk about”. Jenson has made the most of the “passing aids”.
3) Mind games: Jenson has been very clever, and has effectively replaced Lewis as team leader. I also believe that a faction within the team favours him. I also believe that Lewis was “taken out” of last year’s Canadian GP, adding to the pressure on Lewis. I am not fooled by Jenson’s smiling TV persona …. I think there is a ruthless side to him, much like Vettel.
Lewis was Fernando’s equal in 2007. There is no way that Jenson is faster than Fernando … not a chance! Fisichella and Trulli were faster than Button at Benetton! Even Barrichello gave him a hard time at Brawn in 2009!
Curtis | Mar 19, 2012 | Reply
David nailed it.
The tire issue is super frustrating. In what world does gingerly babying racing tires to achieve a win actual racing? At the level of Formula 1 no less! The change to Pirelli closed the chapter on racers racing and opened the next to racers conserving resources. Gone are the days of F1 drivers racing flat out, battling wheel to wheel, lap after lap, all to prove who the winner should be. Now we get an artificial war of strategy wrapped in the illusion of racing. A “pinnacle of motorsport” fail failure. It reminds me of the movie Jarhead in a way. All that training and preparing only to be left pent up with no real outlet.
I also agree about Canada. Check the footage and watch Jensen look over to see Lewis and then close the door on him in the middle of the straight. What would now be a punishable offense in 2012, not leaving space for the passing car.
Yid | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
Button was neck and neck with Hamilton in qualification where you can push tyres to the max.
Button has just aged like a fine wine.
Bob | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
I agree with your 1st and 3rd point. Your second point is a bit airy fairy.
Keep in mind, Button has matured as a driver, from a playboy to a now very intelligent driver – both on the track and off! To compare him to the likes of Trulli and Barri is a bit harsh. He is not the same driver. Also, he is a WDC while Rubens is not and is now driving an Indy car. So results “really” do speak for themselves.
Chuck | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
It’s not just Lewis that drinks from that glass full of poison, prejudice, a lot of his fans do to…
The rather distorted views of Jenson just not being fast…
Jenson has had to wade through this and has always managed to be a good sportsman, a class act, while always getting stronger.
Lewis never drove for BAR/Honda, and Jenson did come out on top even as Brawn was losing the development race during his championship year. Jenson didn’t win his championship even then by a single point.
Jenson wouldn’t be where he is at if more mature interpretations of his promise said he wasn’t fast, and smart.
The fact that Jenson does well while being constrained by the rules to manage his tires and fuel, and continues to do well in adverse racing conditions, never indicated that he was just plain slower than anyone.
“The proof is in the pudding” it is said, and even when Jenson just plain wins in an equal car, in good weather, after his team mate has declared that he is fully relaxed state of mind, his undivided focus, and an ideal bubble around him, even a slight head start… Jenson’s team mate and many of his fans delude themselves and pout…
I just wonder whatever happened to good sportsmanship? There seems to be a lot of people that just don’t appreciate that, and Lewis Hamilton seems to lead a high percentage of that group in F1. I think giving top of the line equipment to immature drivers is probably at the root of this problem. I don’t mean that age has anything to do with maturity… it doesn’t as evidenced by Sebastian Vettel. Seb appears to be a great sportsman, and can honor and respect his adversaries even in defeat, in contrast to Lewis and many of his fans. It’s not just about being the fastest in F1, it’s about being an accomplished performer, and a good sportsman, which leads to coming out on top in the end.
Michael | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
@ David Everything u say is true. I am so very disappointed in Hamilton. He is the main reason I took an interest in F1. He needs to get his act together. The championship is wide open and mclaren has given him a good car this year. It looks like he’s lost something. Ever since his father and RD left he hasn’t been the same. Maybe, they need to reconcile.
Neo | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
I am a huge fan of Lewis and even if you not doing to good, I always believe he will with the next race.
I hate the new Pirelli tyres. Tyre manufacture should not determine more action but instead giving a tyre that can allow the driver to drive and show his potential by taking out ever last bit out of the car.
So to conclude, looks like Pirelli will determine who is the next World Champion and the ones with the real potential because of driving style must go f themselves. Sad, very Sad. That also means that the World Champion is a fake.
Put a set of 2010 Bridgestones on that MP4-27 and see how Lewis destroy people on the circuit.
tEQUILLA sLAMMER | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
What you have to remember was that in 07 Hamilton had his dad and ronnyboy geeing him up to beat Alonso…..dennis only signed Alonso so he could test Hammy against him. Dennis commited business and sporting suicide in 07 thanks to the way he mis-managed his drivers! Secretly backing his “experiment” against a double world champion was both disrespectful and disloyal. Disloyal not only to Fernando and the sponsors he brought with him, but also disloyal to his own company!! That 07 season and the way dennis conducted his “business” was the reason Mercedes decided to bail out of McLaren. Even Dennis resigned as soon as he could because he couldnt stand the embarrassement in the pit lane after 07. Hammy started at the top in the best car with the best driver out there, his career was destined to go down from such a high starting point. The others have raised their game and the cars are getting closer in performance. It gets tougher each year with the FIA keep changing the rules and specs.
What | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
Button is a world class driver easily equal to Lewis and Alonso. Rose tinted glasses prevent him getting the credit he deserves. It’s down to maturing mentally and an extreme amount of hardwork off the track e.g. Triathlons! Calm mind, healthy body and natural talent.
davo | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
Just get all this in perspective. Forget 2011, move-on. 2012 is only one race old. LH suffered a fraction of wheelspin, JB had an exemplary start. The safety car unfortunately robbed LH and the team of a 1-2.
Just calm down and enjoy the season.
Ollie | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
I disagree with What, Alonso is a better driver than Jenson and Hamilton possibley even Vettel. Alonso would have had 4 championships under his belt if he had been in a Red Bull these past two seasons. Its disspaointing to see Alonso’s talent wasted by Ferrari.
Eric | Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
One race gone and the Hamilton myopians are already pointing fingers. It makes no sense to me how people can resent a savvy driver like Button, and make excuses for a petulant brat like Lewis.
Hamilton clearly lacks maturity. That is his problem, not his tires. There is more to racing than just being aggressive. Button gets it. Hamilton will eventually grow up and be a champion again, but it’s a long way off. Right now he’s more worried about who he’s dating than how he’s driving.
I predict Button will continue to rack up wins in 2012, and Hamilton and his fans will continue to rack up excuses.
Dan Livingstone | Mar 25, 2012 | Reply
Which self serving self worshiping idiot wrote the OP? I hope that your indulgent flurry of words makes you feel great. You can only dream of experiencing what hamilton does on and off the track. Pretty pathetic rant with no purpose or point other than to stain hamilton.
Dan Livingstone | Mar 25, 2012 | Reply
A Fan – (A coward with no name)