Current Lewis Hamilton

A place to put all the posts from all the other threads primarily but love him or hate him, and even for the indifferent amongst us this is the place to discuss the marmite that is Lewis Hamilton, to learn a thing or two about his rise, talk about those controversial, genius or mad moments and something that i am bemused by, the recent articles that suggest something quite different to my perception of what's going on. Any experiences of meeting LH?

Brundle had to write a Lewis Hamilton article recently and in my tweets (which were probably ignored) I asked him to talk about LH the driver not LH the personality. It seems that you can't have one without the other.

So as a starter for ten, here is a fairly recent LH article. Posts should not be limited to this link but it can get some discussion going. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/13755883.stm

The only banned topic as it is clearly ridiculous involves these four things "Glock" "2008" "Brazil" "conspiracy"

 

[Il_leone]

When Lewis sacked his father as his manager he said he wanted to be a "brand" when he was looking for his next manager. Signing Fuller coincided with a dip in his form because the man simply did not understand the business side of F1 so getting Didier Cotton has helped Lewis this season on that aspect

However being a young man he is still tempted by the fame and money that he thinks he deserves...I don't think Lewis will complain too much about meeting sponsor requirements if they pay him excessive wages or earnings

Difference between Lewis and Andy Murray is that Murray is very focused and driven on winning grand slams and in making himself a better player and is prepared to make ruthless decisions such as dropping coaches to make himself a better player. Murray keeps his feet on the ground and I get the impression and knows what is more important to him

I get the feeling Lewis is tempted by the money and exposure that Mercedes may bring for him and the contract situation is dragging on a bit and trying to play hardball.

I feel also the tweets the other day may have also raised some concerns within Mclaren about him...they would love to keep him but maybe not at his demands like they warmed to previously

 

[Il_leone]

In previous years Mclaren may have wanted to hold him and meet his demands but there are plenty of adequate replacements on the grid in this era of F1 so Mclaren do not want to be held to ransom

As for Lewis' wages being done before credit crunch... I wonder if Coca Cola step in to sponsor Mclaren. Would they be willing to pay LEwis' wages?

I noticed the rear wing on the Mclaren this weekend was not Lucozade as in previous races

Before anyone dismisses EJ..he was the guy who said Schumacher was wanted by Mercedes and few thought he was out of his mind...mmmm he he knows a few things going on in the paddock from his inside sources

 

[Mezzer]

One thing that might make Merc attractive is if he was the contractual number one driver.

 

[Kewee]

Lewis Hamilton is a huge talent as a driver, being managed by the wrong people in my view if you look at how his contract negotiations have imploded somewhat. Before the summer break he stated his contract would be sorted out during the break. Now he's stating it will be a business decision. Someone needs to remind him he's a top draw racing driver who's paid money most can only dream of and to forget about being a businessman and go back to what he does best and is paid very well to do, drive a McLaren very fast. He held out too long when McLaren offered him a very good contract, then when Red Bull retained Webber most of Hamiltons options were closed down, removing most of his negotiating power. Hamilton runs on his emotions and as such often makes inappropriate statements. We often hear none to complementary comments aimed at his team on the in car radio when things are not going the way he would like. The same applies when he's out of the car, the most recent in the form of tweets. Often the things he says are right but they're better said in private. Unfortunately Lewis has become high maintenance and hard work for the team. I'm starting to wonder how much longer they'll put up with all the effort he forces on them before they cut him adrift. McLaren gave Hamilton his big break as a young man and about now Paul di Resta must be starting to look like a very good option to take on board. He'd be a very good fit at McLaren and has the talent with the right team and teammate to go right to the top. Hamilton needs to be very careful. If McLaren did cast him adrift in favor of Paul di Resta and Schumacher stays on another year, all Lewis would be left with is Force India or a sabbatical.

 

[The Pits]

Kewee I tthink that although there is speculation regarding the contract, to say negotiations have imploded is maybe premature.

 

[Kewee]

The Pits.....The point I was making was about three or four months ago reliable sources stated a very good contract had been put on the table. He stalled signing as reports stated he wanted more control over his ability to earn from endorsements. At the time others were showing an interest which put him in a powerful position hence the quality of the contract McLaren were offering. Then Red Bull renewed Webbers contract and everything changed virtually overnight. Most other serious options closed, Ron Dennis stepped into the discussion making noises about the current economic climate and Lewis's power to negotiate was gone. Quite frankly with all the off track dramas I think McLaren have reached a take it or leave it stance. I've always said, when your negotiating a contract you sign when others are interested. If you wait until other doors close your power is gone. Thats where Lewis is right now which is why I used the word implode. Maybe he will go to Mercedes, I don't know, though I believe he would be better off where he is.

 

[Dizzi]

I was rather surprised at the speculation this morning, somehow Mercedes doesn't seem a strong enough team for Lewis (car wise rther than personnel). Merc gives the impression they like an all German lineup & I'd have thought Nico Hulkenberg would be more their sort of driver. He's good & doesn't come with Lewis's diva-like baggage (& I'm not talking about Nicole!)
I agree with Kewee, "Someone needs to remind him he's a top draw racing driver who's paid money most can only dream of".
Unless Mercedes have done a Honda/Brawn for next year it would be a downward step, no good having number 1 status if you're not in a competitive car...of course Lewis may know something about next year's McLaren we don't!

 

[Quintessentially]

Difference between Lewis and Andy Murray is that Murray is very focused and driven on winning grand slams and in making himself a better player and is prepared to make ruthless decisions such as dropping coaches to make himself a better player. Murray keeps his feet on the ground and I get the impression and knows what is more important to him

Tennis is largely an individual sport and doesn't have so many external dependencies like F1 so the comparison is futile.Totally different personalities too.

Certainly I think joining Simon Fuller's management team is not conducive to F1 and unfortunately the only way they are going to make more money out of Lewis is by flogging him to the highest bidder.

 

[Quintessentially]

Anyway I'm surprised how press have been whipped into a frenzy on the hearsay of Eddie Jordan who is mostly guilty of talking out of his anus. He must've presented them with credible proof that a deal was imminent.

 

[racecub]

Well let's hope Didier Cotton looks after the viability of the racing side when looking at contracts. For Lewis himself the money is secondary.As I mentioned before he's concerned about the teams ability to adapt to the new regs. He's quiet about the relationships within Mclaren but I'd hazzard a guess they're not good and weren't last year either. I think thats a big part of the reason Lewis is unsettled.
Now if Lewis were to become the face of Mercedes worldwide and Mercedes are serious about getting to the top(Braun could do that-he's done it with three different teams already) Then both Fuller's ambition for an international sporting star and money would be satisfied and so would lewis' to be in a top team that values him. There could be sense in the move. No guarantees. As lewis said some weeks ago, whatever I decide , its a gamble.

 

[Kewee]

Dizzi.....Your quite right Dizzi. It's quite sad really. Lewis's management seem to want to turn him into F1's rock star. If he had concentrated purely on what he's so good at he would probably have been a multi world champion by now but his life seems to be full of distractions, or has been in the past. I've also said this a zillion times, he was never given the opportunity to learn analytical skills regarding a cars behavior, essential skills when developing a car, which is possibly why he has problems sometimes. To be honest, going to a new unfamiliar team without those skills could leave him struggling in the mid field. He should have signed a new contract with McLaren months ago so he could launch into the second half of this season with a totally uncluttered mind. McLaren has been his home and he should consider that and appreciate all they've done for him.

 

[Kewee]

Anyway I'm surprised how press have been whipped into a frenzy on the hearsay of Eddie Jordan who is mostly guilty of talking out of his anus. He must've presented them with credible proof that a deal was imminent.

Autosport wouldn't have gone to print on this story unless there was some substance to it.

 

[Brogan]

Appreciate all they've done for him?

From what I can see, they've been doing their damnedest for five years to stop him.
Who can forget China 2007, which to this day goes down as one of the great unexplained mysteries of F1.

Hamilton owes McLaren nothing.

 

[canis]

Can I just point out that this is a story broken by the same EJ who despite getting it right that Schumi was on his way back (something that anyone with half a brain would have got after his attempted return to Ferrari the year before) but who also said of Massa while he was being rushed to the hospital in a coma that his sources told him that Massa was fine, a little concussed and would be back after a few weeks rest....

 

[Brogan]

Indeed.

Until anything is confirmed by Hamilton's camp, nothing is certain.

 

[Kewee]

Brogan....They launched his career and provided him with the car and support that allowed him to become World Champion. Not to mention giving him the opportunity to do what he loves and become an incredibly wealthy young man in the process.

 

[Road of Bones]

Lewis to Mercedes? Possible, I suppose- it'd be refreshing to have Nico Rosberg as the target of the Internet trolls at least!
Di Resta to McLaren? I'd take the Hulk over him to be frank- he's a better racer IMO. That would leave room at Force India for Sam Bird, perhaps...

And of course, this leaves a certain Mr Button as a clear team leader at one of the Big Three...(ducks for cover)

 

[Brogan]

Kewee, McLaren aren't a charity - they gave him the drive because he proved himself compared to other possible candidates.
A driver-team relationship is symbiotic - without both parts capable of achieving their goals, it's worthless.

Road of Bones, I suspect that would suit Whitmarsh perfectly, as they can then design a car around one driver, instead of two with vastly different styles.

 

[Kewee]

Brogan.....I'm not naive enough to believe any team is a charity but clearly the relationship between Hamilton and McLaren has become strained, but if they've been doing their damnedest to stop him they failed miserably in 2008. They've protected him on numerous occasions during his relatively short career when controversy has swirled around him. The traffic violation in Melbourne, the dishonesty also in Melbourne that cost a senior figure at McLaren his career with the team, the accusation leveled at the FIA suggesting his penalties were related to the fact he's black, but Martin Whitmarsh has always stood by him. The list is endless and all I'm suggesting is he has become hard work to employ and maybe they're just no longer prepared to offer more than they have already.

 

[The Artist.....]

It is very interesting that after the almost constant twitter updates from Hamilton have now come to a screeching halt!! I suspect that someone may have 'had a word' and encouraged LH to avoid controversy by avoiding twitter!