FORUMula1.com

[darwin dali]

Dumb question of the day:

Could Hamilton and Nicole be hiding under there?

Why? To do what?

To ring in the New Year, like you did?

I hope you do "ringing" more than once a year.

[Nin-Chin]

Mercedes Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff says working with Lewis Hamilton has been a pleasure, even though his character sometimes 'bites' him.

Hamilton was heavily self-critical at times during the 2013 season, and also raised eyebrows with some of his forthright radio conversations with the Mercedes crew.

After the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix he claimed he had an "average" year, and said he would redouble his efforts over the winter ahead of F1's big rules shake-up this season, but Wolff said he found Hamilton nothing but straightforward and very well-adjusted away from the racetrack.

"First of all, he has a straight and nice character," Wolff told AUTOSPORT.

"So generally it is a pleasure to work with him - and it is also a pleasure to work with him because he is very competitive.

"Rarely do you find people who are so competitive and then on the other side not f**ked up. And he is not."

2014 title push 'a must' for Mercedes

Asked if he felt Hamilton needed more 'looking after' than other drivers, Wolff replied: "He is authentic. And sometimes authenticity bites you. But he also learns.

"And what I like is the way he is taking on the advice, and believes it is good for him. We are trying to be very open with each other."

Wolff's colleague Niki Lauda believes Hamilton, who won in Hungary but only scored four more podiums despite starting five races from pole position, was too harsh on himself during 2013.

"Lewis had his ups and downs but his talent and his speed and his attack is there, there is no question about it," Lauda told AUTOSPORT.

"He won one race in Budapest in an outstanding manner. Nobody could have done this there better than he did."

[racechick]

Nice read Nin-Chin

[CookinFlat6]

I like Lauda, he is authentic and is worth 3 or 4 whiney whingers like Jackie Stewart

[Nin-Chin]

We all hated him in 2011 and now we like him, oh how things change.

[sagi58]

Does that mean "we" are fickle in our allegiance?

[What's Burning?]

It could... but it it does also mean we're not "we" are not blind in our allegiance.

[sagi58]

And, that "we" don't understand the concept of standing by your team??

[racechick]

Well I didn't like Lauda when he said mean things about lewis( hypocritical ones too) but I like him saying nice ones. And I think he's good for Lewis, I'm not sure I completely trust him but as long as he's on Lewis' side that's fine by me. And my allegiances? Rock solid, Lewis all the way.

[sagi58]

But, that's just it, isn't it? IF these guys are on the same team, everything they do is just "honky dory, picture perfect"!
When they aren't, there always seems to be room for improvement, eh?

[operaman]

We all hated him in 2011 and now we like him, oh how things change.

I still don't like him, but I respect his opinion ..... sometimes.

[racechick]

We all hated him in 2011 and now we like him, oh how things change.

I still don't like him, but I respect his opinion ..... sometimes.

I think I'm somewhere close to that. But liking him a bit more than I did.

[operaman]

We all hated him in 2011 and now we like him, oh how things change.

I still don't like him, but I respect his opinion ..... sometimes.

I think I'm somewhere close to that. But liking him a bit more than I did.

If his opinions coincide with mine .... fine, otherwise .....................

[Jabberwocky]

Lauda is a calculating business man, his desire to succeed in whatever he chooses to do will exceed loyalty. So as soon as Hamilton does not fit his purposes that will be the end of the bromance.

Sent using NCC-1701

[Hammer278]

Lauda is a calculating business man, his desire to succeed in whatever he chooses to do will exceed loyalty. So as soon as Hamilton does not fit his purposes that will be the end of the bromance.

Sent using NCC-1701

I think this is the best depiction of Lauda. Though he's a good ally to have in the team since he's a big presence and well respected figure in Mercedes. Anyway my admiration for Lauda only began after watching Rush.