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[Xenoclast]

Firstly I am new to the board so hello to everyone

Secondly, I am relatively new to Formula in the sense that I have been paying somewhat more and closer attention the last 2 or 3 years.

While some folks I have spoken to find F1 boring, my humble (and noobish) opinion is that it is very exciting for many different reasons...but that is for another post altogether.

I am finding Lewis Hamilton's behavior this year somewhat...unusual due to a few incidences:

A) If memory serves, he complained/criticized the team over his tire change that occurred at an inopportune time.

B) The blocking incident...what was up with that? I understand a driver gets a chance to some degree to hold his position, but he was weaving to prevent being passed.

C) In the most grievous offenses in Shanghai, he was seen attempting to barge into the pit lane ahead of Vettel and was clearly over the white line on the left. Additionally - while Vettel had the clear lead in the pit exit lane after they had both made their tire changes, he rode closely to him straddling the Blue safety line which I found to be extremely egregious for safety reasons.

He gives the impression of someone who is not able to sort of hold it all together mentally due to stress, frustration or other factors. I am frankly surprised he is not being dealt with more harshly after the pit exit lane incident as well, regardless of Mr. Ecclestone's comments. Had he lost grip or had some other factor come into play the potential was there for a tragic series of events.

Again, still new to F1 so I am sure there are factors I am not getting...

Cheers,

[hypertek]

Im loving it, F1 needs a lil action/drama. People can say hes a prick, regardless, his driving talent speaks for itself.

[myownalias]

I have no issues with Hamilton's "behaviour"; it was common place in F1 10 years ago before all the BS restrictions that Max Mosley brought into the sport; which in my humble opinion has destroyed the spectacle that was F1; some of his ideas were good; most were idiotic; if we had more drivers with Hamilton's attitude; F1 would be much better off.

[bud]

I think youre just another "anti" looking at anything Hamilton does under a microscope.

[TGLucario475]

I have no issues with Hamilton's "behaviour"; it was common place in F1 10 years ago before all the BS restrictions that Max Mosley brought into the sport; which in my humble opinion has destroyed the spectacle that was F1; some of his ideas were good; most were idiotic; if we had more drivers with Hamilton's attitude; F1 would be much better off.

This^^ If I was a driver right now in Formula One, god help us if I was, I wouldn't give a toss what I said, I'd voice my opinion whether it was the best thing for the team or sport.

[kerc]

I have no issues with Hamilton's "behaviour"; it was common place in F1 10 years ago before all the BS restrictions that Max Mosley brought into the sport; which in my humble opinion has destroyed the spectacle that was F1; some of his ideas were good; most were idiotic; if we had more drivers with Hamilton's attitude; F1 would be much better off.

We also need more marshall-punching!

[loosecannon]

Aggressive drivers are always being accused of wrongdoing, but nice guys always finish last. If Hamilton weren't in F1 this year, it would be at least 38% less interesting because a lot of the passing has been done by him. Does anyone have the stats on how many cars he's passed this year? As long as he's not taking out any other drivers, I'm cool with his behaviour this year.

[FJuan]

Welcome Xenoclast....the picture of Mr McQueen shows a touch of style.

In relation to LH I think he has been more spectacular so far this year compared to last year. For better & worse.

I fear that with your first post you have made yourself a target of "The Hamsters" and their attitude of "if you're not with us, you're against us". So good luck.

[IceManpjn]

While some folks I have spoken to find F1 boring....

Well, your info says you're from California, so there's your problem with the issue of people finding F1 boring. The US loves NASCAR above all other motorsports by far, and NASCAR is basically the polar opposite of F1, so they'll generally hate F1 and have absolutely no interest in it. There's an F1 fan here and there, but they're few and far between, so if you want to talk with people that can appreciate F1 you pretty much have to look beyond our borders.

I am frankly surprised he is not being dealt with more harshly....

Well, his wonderful and exciting win in Spa in 2008 was wrongfully taken from him (the rules were a bit ambiguous at the time), so I feel that covers some of his douchiness here of late.

[racechick]

Ive resisted temptation. Well all previous posters have said it all anyway

[Xenoclast]

I think youre just another "anti" looking at anything Hamilton does under a microscope.

Actually that's not the case.

I pulled hard for LH, and in 2007 was disappointed that he lost by only 1 point. In 2008 I was vindicated and happy that he (deservedly) won the world championship. I believe he is a great driver with extraordinary skills, especially in the wet.

I feel that publicly excoriating your team over the radio is not good when discussions can be made behind closed doors.

And safety is always an issue - I didn't see the point in drag racing Vettel down speed-limited pit lane when he was clearly behind and in a potentially dangerous position what with the wet conditions and all.

LOL...it IS tough not being a NASCAR fan around here.

At any rate I was becoming a fan of Vettel's last year and am pulling for him this year.

[BritishBear]

I wouldn't pull too hard or in public, you'll go blind and get arrested

LH has admitted himself that he has taken a more aggresive approach thus far this season, however in answer to your questions:

A) If memory serves, he complained/criticized the team over his tire change that occurred at an inopportune time.

Correct, which he later said that he shouldn't have said what he did when the reasons behind it were explained to him.

B) The blocking incident...what was up with that? I understand a driver gets a chance to some degree to hold his position, but he was weaving to prevent being passed.

Petrov wasn't trying to pass, he was trying to break the tow, which there are no rules against. I am a LH fan, and I too found his weaving a little excessive, it must be said.

C) In the most grievous offenses in Shanghai, he was seen attempting to barge into the pit lane ahead of Vettel and was clearly over the white line on the left. Additionally - while Vettel had the clear lead in the pit exit lane after they had both made their tire changes, he rode closely to him straddling the Blue safety line which I found to be extremely egregious for safety reasons.

Hamilton should really have let the position go to Vettel, but equally Vettel shouldn't have forced Hamilton back over the line again, both drivers got reprimanded for that anyway.

Welcome to the sport and to these here forums by the way.

[ivey]

Without him F1 would be much more boring. He has completed 32 overtakes this season (read it from autosport). That's why I love his personality, racing his heart out every race and making moves others are scared to do. Even Bernie told everybody else to calm the fck down and focus on their own racing because there's nothing wrong with Lewis' actions.

[Gaz]

i agree with myownalias on this, if you want to watch a civil gentlemanly sport go watch lawn bowles.

[myownalias]

i agree with myownalias on this, if you want to watch a civil gentlemanly sport go watch lawn bowles.

His outburst openly criticizing his team was out of order and the weaving was a little excessive if you go by the rules as was the trying to get out ahead of Vettel in the pit lane; but of course this is only frowned upon because of the BS rule changes; health and safety brigade have ruined F1; motor racing is dangerous; drivers are wrapped up in health and safety endorsed cotton wool these days; man up and go racing is my stance; drivers are too scared to drive aggressively because of the fear of penalty.