FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Hammer278]

Best driver-specific battles on track in this era are ALWAYS Alonso vs. Hamilton, i think that is something everyone here should be able to agree on.

Yep, its the closest thing to the Mika-Schumacher rivalry which was the talk of the sport in the 90s.

[What's Burning?]

ESPNF1; Lewis Hamilton aspires to leave the same impact on Formula One that Ayrton Senna did in the 1980s and 1990s.

Senna was an icon in the sport and won three titles with Hamilton's old team McLaren before joining Williams. At the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix he died in an accident while leading the race but was already a legend of the sport who is still revered among fans.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Hamilton said he hoped to one day achieve a similar level of "greatness".

"When I speak about greatness, I just know the stories about Ayrton Senna, the way he would walk into a room, the aura he had, how he carried himself, how he drove and inspired people, inspired a nation - that is greatness. I hope that I will have that greatness."

He reckons he has become a love/hate figure in the sport after some of his words and actions have been misinterpreted.

"I am either hated or loved," he added. "Unfortunately, when I got into F1, I sometimes said one thing and meant another and people took it the wrong way. They don't forget. For example, go to Spain. They generally hate me there. You are branded. All you can do is try to change it slowly, but it takes time. There are tons of people who dislike me but tons who really like me, too. What I guarantee is that people who don't, change their opinions when they meet me."

However, at his new team Mercedes he is hoping to show more of his true character than he did at McLaren.

"I have come from a controlled environment where you had to do and say what you were told," he said. "While you have to keep your values and remain respectful and polite, you can still be who you want to be."

It's clear that there's a conscious decision not to badmouth Mclaren, and it's good to see that there's no harboring of bitterness. I think it's as simple as the guy just being ready to leave and the fact that he could leverage his 'brand' more outside of McLaren from a financial standpoint didn't hurt either.

[Hammer278]

Adding to that, I like espn's driver analysis heading into the season for Hamilton:

Lewis Hamilton
Title odds: 8/1
A new team, a new car and a new season. Hamilton already seems happier this year even though he is not likely to be in contention for the title. But he likes being an underdog and if he can score victories this season he will become an instant hero at his new team. In the long run it could be a smart move as his two fiercest rivals - Vettel and Alonso - both have a team that fully supports them and Hamilton could well have the same at Mercedes by the end of 2013.
Target: Victories with his new team while staying in contention for a top three finish in the drivers' championship

__________________________________

Which I think is the main reason Lewis made the move. He realizes McLaren are too stuffed to give the support for a better driver (image, PR, and all that) that they are willing to risk results (as what happened last year) in order to look 'impartial'. Vettel and Alonso have their team chemistry straight, and it just wasn't working for Lewis and McLaren since Button's mouth was in the way. I do hope Merc provides equal treatment for both drivers...but if one of them has a problem (Nico or Lewis), its not too smart to waste time and resources providing a crutch to the lame-o while the competition runs away.

[What's Burning?]

Let's keep the Button bashing to a minimum por favor. We know how everyone feels and in just a couple of days everyone's going to show what they brung. It's an exciting time of year let's enjoy it and support our driver. Did you see Lewis mention Button in his statements?

Let that be an example to his disciples.

[Hammer278]

Sorry WB...but from now on I can't think of "McLaren" without thinking "Team Button" and it's not completely my fault.

[What's Burning?]

13/2 odds the bookies are giving team Button the nod over team Hamilton.

[Hammer278]

There's no team Hamilton....and the bookies can't really favour Hamilton when both he and his team are public about the fact that the Championships are not their aim this year.

[What's Burning?]

I'm picking Lewis to win in Montreal!

[Hammer278]

I'm picking Monaco...Old man Schumi got pole there last year, so even that shambolic car managed to put on a show there!

[racechick]

I'm picking him for both of those and a few more.

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm picking Jenson to win every race. So there.

[LRW]

I'm picking my nose.

[Hammer278]

I'm picking Jenson to win every race. So there.

Must be a hell of a hitman you've hired to eliminate half the field.

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm picking Jenson to win every race. So there.

Must be a hell of a hitman you've hired to eliminate half the field.

[What's Burning?]

I'm picking Jenson to win every race. So there.

Must be a hell of a hitman you've hired to eliminate half the field.

Be sure to explain to the hitman to hit the top half not the bottom half.