FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[racechick]

Has anyone ever though that maybe lewis is just in the wrong sport now? The sport punishes severely any sort of aggressive driving now.
If he wanted, could he go back to GP2? I'd rather watch him destroy gp2 and be appreciated than be ridiculed in f1.

I still watch that 2006 race in turkey, where he just destroyed everyone after losing so many places. That was some good racing.

I was there for that. same at Silverstone where he won needs both races.Superb. He wont go back to GP2, that would be silly. F1 needs to stop being so wussy and let drivers race. lewis isnt agresive, he's a racer and this is motor racing, sometimes it doesnt work out. thats racing. Other drivers do the same, but only lewis is constantly in the spotlight for it.

[McLaren]

Ok. let me try to clarify it. When Jenson joined Mclaern he was given a lot of reassurance. He was talked up and supported by Whitmarsh when he failed to match hamilton. And rightly so. He was concerned hamilton was established and wanted to be sure he got a fair crack of the whip. All fine. Now a year on and we see lewis having a hard time and Jenson, firmly established in the team and on top of his game. Time to give a bit of that reassurance and talking up to lewis now; but no not a bit of it. Whitmarsh continues to wax lyrical about jensons excellent drives and defend his poor qualifying. Lewis left to fend for himself while all the world have a go at him.
So no Whitmarsh isnt the reson Lewis is having a bad year, he's the reason why its become an atrocious year from which he may not get back to his superb best.

Sorry but that is rubbish.Theres no way a driver should ,and even would need to be told hes the best there ever was just to produce in a racing car.It's in their blood.
Are we now seeing a major flaw in Lewis's driving ?.Let's not forget Lewis is the main reason that Ron Dennis isn't on the seen as much anymore.Do we have to change team princible everytime Lewis doesn't think hes getting number one treatment?.
Sorry racechick but this is down to Lewis and Lewis alone.He can hire someone himself to keep giving him confidence or to kiss his butt.
Don't get me wrong I feel he will come through this for sure ,but he will probably need the winter break to do it.

You've not read what I said either
Ron Dennis left because of Spygate and Mosely, not Lewis.
Lewis doesnt want number one treatment. Where did you dream that one up from?
Lewis doesnt want butt kissing. Whilest jenson is in danger of getting his bum more than kissed by Whitmarsh. Keep your back to the wall jens!

Yes spygate and Mosley added to Rons departure, but so did Lewis and his dad.Notice how all the gossip of Lewis leaving McLaren stopped after Ron got sidestepped not coincidence.

It's just the way your saying it made it look to me as if Lewis was number one,now Jenson is.After re-reading I see where your coming from.But still stand by my point it's down to Lewis and Lewis alone.Part of Jenson getting quicker/better is he was alien to the team,car and everything.It's going to take a while to catch up to someone that has been there a while.Unless you are a superb talent that can just fit in anywhere very quickly.Those are very few and far between.
I don't think any of the blame should be on MW and I'm sure Lewis would agree to that aswell.More like he was starting to get frustrated at not being in the best car.He's used to his talent being able to compensate for a slightly slower car,now he's with the big boys that's not possible.He will comeback next year in the right frame of mind,of that i have no doubt.

[LewEngBridewell]

Yes spygate and Mosley added to Rons departure, but so did Lewis and his dad.Notice how all the gossip of Lewis leaving McLaren stopped after Ron got sidestepped not coincidence.

It's just the way your saying it made it look to me as if Lewis was number one,now Jenson is.After re-reading I see where your coming from.But still stand by my point it's down to Lewis and Lewis alone.Part of Jenson getting quicker/better is he was alien to the team,car and everything.It's going to take a while to catch up to someone that has been there a while.Unless you are a superb talent that can just fit in anywhere very quickly.Those are very few and far between.
I don't think any of the blame should be on MW and I'm sure Lewis would agree to that aswell.More like he was starting to get frustrated at not being in the best car.He's used to his talent being able to compensate for a slightly slower car,now he's with the big boys that's not possible.He will comeback next year in the right frame of mind,of that i have no doubt.

Totally agree with this. The team and MW have received a fair bit of stick when it comes to Lewis' difficulties this season, which is not at all deserved.

[killem2]

I guess it is because I am from America and I don't have nearly as much attachment to Mclaren as some of the UK base but every promotion and commercial I've see with Jenson and Lewis and ever interview they seem like genuinely good friends.

I also think they have tremendous respect for each other, and do not think for one second either of them are getting better treatment over the other. They have invested far to much in Lewis to just decide one day, "Oh Jenson, we love you so much, you must win us a championship!"

Sorry but I'm tired of the excuses and the , these are pristine athletes here. They need to be upfront and just come out and say they are duckling this year.

[bud]

Rubens Barrichello has a word of advice for Lewis Hamilton: stop reading and stop learning what others think.

Formula One veteran Barrichello's support comes after McLaren driver Hamilton came in for criticism from several drivers over his aggressive on-track style.

"It is important the day that you understand you can only depend upon yourself. What others say doesn't matter. You need to be 100 per cent right on your thoughts and you can put it out of your head," Williams driver Barrichello said.

"Opinions are there and criticism is there and you just have to deal with it and stop reading and stop learning what others think.

"The most important thing is to have a good heart, to be a good human being and perform the way that your family raised you. The rest - you are going to have bad times and good times."

The Brazilian added: "Lewis is in the limelight a bit, so people say so many things, and when so many things are said you start to believe that they are right.

"But I am on the outside - he is the one who has to believe."

wise words

[Hammer278]

Lewis outdoes the spaceships in Korea Qualifying!!! Bring it home tomorrow mate!!

[fanboy]

To slightly change tack here. Could someone please explain to me why from the outset of his F1 career Lewis has been so vilified? I've watched F1 for around 16 yrs now and never in all those years have I seen the amount of vitriol directed at a driver as I have directed at Lewis Hamilton. I hesitate to mention racism but remain to be convinced that it can be entirely ruled out. Or maybe it's because he has a high profile girlfriend. Or because he didn't go the traditional route and sit at the back of the field for a few years. Whatever it is I'm at a loss to explain why a guy who has devoted his entire life to the sport that we love and provided some of the most entertaining moments in recent memory is such a target for the haters. We all have our favorites in F1 but surely this does not dampen our respect for their competitors. IMHO it's the drivers who will always go for the overtake that I love to watch most of all. I say this without denying other great aspects of our sport and finish by saying that while I hope we never all agree on most things, we can surely agree that without exciting drivers like Lewis and many many more our sport would be greatly diminished.

[What's Burning?]

Barrichello should retire this year and get back to the grid next year as Lewis' personal trainer.

[Stealthgate007]

Barrichello should retire this year and get back to the grid next year as Lewis' personal trainer.

I know, Right??? He could be Lewis' Phil Jackson, all zen and stuff.. Lewis said exactly what Barrichello said, "I need to believe in myself, thats where all the confidence comes from"..

[LewEngBridewell]

To slightly change tack here. Could someone please explain to me why from the outset of his F1 career Lewis has been so vilified? I've watched F1 for around 16 yrs now and never in all those years have I seen the amount of vitriol directed at a driver as I have directed at Lewis Hamilton. I hesitate to mention racism but remain to be convinced that it can be entirely ruled out. Or maybe it's because he has a high profile girlfriend. Or because he didn't go the traditional route and sit at the back of the field for a few years. Whatever it is I'm at a loss to explain why a guy who has devoted his entire life to the sport that we love and provided some of the most entertaining moments in recent memory is such a target for the haters. We all have our favorites in F1 but surely this does not dampen our respect for their competitors. IMHO it's the drivers who will always go for the overtake that I love to watch most of all. I say this without denying other great aspects of our sport and finish by saying that while I hope we never all agree on most things, we can surely agree that without exciting drivers like Lewis and many many more our sport would be greatly diminished.

He was chatting to Ron Dennis when he was only a kid remember. This guy has always been in the limelight from very early on. He was stunning in GP2 and entered straight into F1 with a fantastic, leading team. They are both golden ways of centring the spotlight on oneself. He's been involved in some intense rivalries with other top drivers and he wears his heart on his sleeve. Furthermore, he's a huge talent.

All of this ensures media fascination and passionate opinions from rival drivers and fans.

[Hammer278]

Yeah look at his story. No other driver has a story as special as Lewis, his dad wasn't fortunate to have the wealth in supporting his son, it took so much hard work and sacrifice from the father to get Lewis the platform to showcase the talent. And what a talent.

More to that, the night where he tugged Dennis' sleeve and told him he's driving one of his cars one day. And then one day he arrives, stuns the world and brings home a World Championship which Dennis had been missing for almost a DECADE. You couldn't write a book better than this.

A great story always has both extremes, the crazy fans and the haters. Lewis' popularity/unpopularity just shows he is THE star of F1 no matter how much the haters will disagree.

[bud]

People hate what they fear.

[racechick]

To slightly change tack here. Could someone please explain to me why from the outset of his F1 career Lewis has been so vilified? I've watched F1 for around 16 yrs now and never in all those years have I seen the amount of vitriol directed at a driver as I have directed at Lewis Hamilton. I hesitate to mention racism but remain to be convinced that it can be entirely ruled out. Or maybe it's because he has a high profile girlfriend. Or because he didn't go the traditional route and sit at the back of the field for a few years. Whatever it is I'm at a loss to explain why a guy who has devoted his entire life to the sport that we love and provided some of the most entertaining moments in recent memory is such a target for the haters. We all have our favorites in F1 but surely this does not dampen our respect for their competitors. IMHO it's the drivers who will always go for the overtake that I love to watch most of all. I say this without denying other great aspects of our sport and finish by saying that while I hope we never all agree on most things, we can surely agree that without exciting drivers like Lewis and many many more our sport would be greatly diminished.

Well said mate!! well said!!

[racechick]

People hate what they fear.

Bud. I love your avatar

[myownalias]

To slightly change tack here. Could someone please explain to me why from the outset of his F1 career Lewis has been so vilified? I've watched F1 for around 16 yrs now and never in all those years have I seen the amount of vitriol directed at a driver as I have directed at Lewis Hamilton. I hesitate to mention racism but remain to be convinced that it can be entirely ruled out. Or maybe it's because he has a high profile girlfriend. Or because he didn't go the traditional route and sit at the back of the field for a few years. Whatever it is I'm at a loss to explain why a guy who has devoted his entire life to the sport that we love and provided some of the most entertaining moments in recent memory is such a target for the haters. We all have our favorites in F1 but surely this does not dampen our respect for their competitors. IMHO it's the drivers who will always go for the overtake that I love to watch most of all. I say this without denying other great aspects of our sport and finish by saying that while I hope we never all agree on most things, we can surely agree that without exciting drivers like Lewis and many many more our sport would be greatly diminished.

But you also have to factor in Lewis' own behaviour this season, calling other drivers and stewards stupid and making a suggestion that he is being persecuted because he is black, he can't make those sort of comments and not expect it to be jumped all over by the media, and be put under the media spotlight for the rest of the season, controversy is what brings in viewers and readers!

I'm not saying that it's right that the media has been all over him like they have or even the stewards punishing Hamilton when others have gotten away with similar incidents. This has been highlighted this weekend when Rosberg was effectively let off after colliding with Alguersauri in FP3 because of previous good behaviour, which would explain why Lewis has been punished more!

While watching free practice 3 today, at the head of the show I hear David Croft and Morris Hamilton discussing how Nico Rosberg was fined €5000 for doing a few interviews before going to the stewards office. Drivers are required to go straight to the stewards office immediately after the session, which Rosberg did not do, for whatever reason, so the fine is fair as that’s the rules.

But then the conversation continues and we find that the stewards have found Rosberg guilty of causing a collision. Which again is fine as he did collide with Jaime Alguersuari as the Spaniard exited the pit-lane, Rosberg getting his braking all wrong going into turn one, having nowhere to go but into the side of Alguersuari. But I believe it’s a racing incident combined with the stupid design of the pit exit half way round turn one. Rosberg did escape punishment by virtue of being a good boy in the past. I’m not joking, the stewards released a statement saying something along the lines of “in view of Nico Rosberg’s previous good record, no punishment will be handed out”.

This opens a whole new can of worms, especially given the punishments handed out to Lewis Hamilton recently, of which many fans, former drivers and pundits agree were clumsy racing incidents at worse. Now we know that stewards take previous incidents into account when deciding on fault, that explains the inconsistent stewardship! Each incident should judged on its own merit, if previous infractions are taking into account then stewardship in F1 is inherently corrupt. Frankly this statement from the stewards is a massive own goal, confirming what many have suspected for some time, after this season there has to be an overhaul of the stewardship system in F1!

Above is what I wrote on my blog about the current state of stewardship!