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"

 

[Mephistopheles]

I have to say whilst I believe that Lewis is a fantastic driver that doesn't make him perfect in all areas of F1 he does have his weaknesses as does every human being, and if someone dare suggest that he isn't brilliant at everything that is not an insult it is just an observation, after all nobody is perfect and having flaws is what makes us human.

I don't understand why people can't see this obvious truth, and allow others to point them out when necessary, without fear of being ridiculed....

 

[Kewee]

Quintessentially......To say you've never seen a young driver start his rookie season in the best car on the grid as I did, is somewhat meaningless if you don't include how long you've been following the sport.

 

[Hamberg]

Kewee, is it your opinion that I believe Hamilton to be perfect?

Ive not compared Hamilton and Alonso. The only driver I dislike is Maldonado.

 

[Hamberg]

Nobody here (well maybe one) has said Lewis is perfect. Nobody here (except for one) has not been critical of him. What is annoying some here (especially one to the point, like cookin they may spontaneously combust) is where things such as, he can't develop a car, he lucked into the seat, he's only interested in money, gets said with some conviction, so much so people believe their own hype and others jump on the bandwagon.

To say "I think he's a fantastic driver, but..." doesn't work I'm afraid. How him shari g sensitive data and rumoured to have a Mercedes deal has led to some of the comments is beyond me.

So yes touchy, when things are portrayed as factual and when unecessary witch hunts begin.

 

[Kewee]

Hamberg......No I've never suggested you think Hamilton is perfect. I also never said he lucked into the McLaren seat. What I did say was Nigel Mansell said he lucked into a fabulous car, a big difference to saying he lucked into the seat so I'm not sure where that came from. In fact I said McLaren wouldn't have given him the opportunity if they didn't believe in him, in other words believe he was a fantastic driver, which I believe and have said, in fact I've always said he's a fantastic driver. I've also never said he's only interested in the money nor have I ever made any reference to him sharing sensitive data. What I did say was I believe he could have learnt about car development from Alonso had circumstances been different and that is not a criticism an any way. Regarding the rumoured Mercedes deal, that came about from Eddie Jordan saying Schumacher was retiring at the end of the year and Hamilton was going to replace him. I have no idea if its true and I don't take any notice of rumours anyway. I've always believed he will stay with McLaren. One other point that bewilders me is a belief by some that Martin Whitmarsh doesn't like him. I wonder how many on this site realize Martin Whitmarsh is very close to Hamilton and has been his guiding hand right through his career since he moved from karts to cars. They have a very long and close relationship. I get accused by some of having opinions on things I know nothing about yet those same people make ridiculous statements about Martin Whitmarsh not liking Hamilton. My annoyance regarding this is not aimed at you, it's a general comment relating to opinions others have expressed.

 

[The Artist.....]

I seem to remember an article in autosport discussing hanilton and button's technical feedback - based on the race at Bahrain in 2010... There was a change in wind direction during qualifying which gave the car a significantly different feel... Button brought the car slowly back to the pits as he believed that something was wrong with the car.... Apparently Hamilton didn't notice the difference, and had driven round the problem...

So what does that say? Hamilton can definitely drive around problems, BUT this does mean that sometimes he'll just ignore what could be a fundamental problem! On the other hand- sometimes Button will identify issues which aren't issues!

 

[racecub]

I think thats very true The Artist. Leiws can instinctively drive round problems, so he doesnt see the problem, not good for giving exact feedback maybe? Jenson sees problems where they aren't and as happened this year lead the team up a blind ally.

Now I'm going to share a little secret with you, and this comes remember from an ardent Lewis fan. Last year I spent quite some time watching races on tele and chatting about F1 with the brother of a top race engineer, I mean really top. ( I really dont think I should say the name should I? because the engineer might not want it public knowledge). Anyway this guy has worked with Button, Hamilton and Alonso. He was non too complimentary about the technical feedback from Button or Hamilton(didnt beat about the bush with the wording either). Whilst Alonso he says is a joy to work with.

I cant argue with that can I, I just shot daggers at the brother who told me. So I have to accept this is not lewis' strongpoint . Maybe, as in dealing with the media, he cannot explain things succincntly.(Evidence that snippet someone posted about lewis in karts when he wasnt happy with the kart but couldnt explain why, his dad had to tease it out of himand could then set the kart up to his liking ).
Regarding Button I dont know why he is not good at it, because he's certainly good with words. I think what iritates me is when jenson is portreyed as the master of changing circumstances, the master of strategy,the tyre master, the thinking driver etc etc and Lewis is generally compared unfavourably to him. Lewis has shown on several occassions he can match or surpass Button in some of these areas. And I have to accept that Alonso(who is not my favourite but whom I respect greatly) is way ahead of them both.

 

[Hamberg]

Hamberg......If your unable to find an aspect of a driver to be critical of you obviously must feel they're perfect. In my view no one fits that description.

You kinda did

The post I didn't tag you in wasn't aimed at you, it was a summary of some posts I've seen lately that seem to have resulted from the two recent episodes so much of what you replied wasn't necessary. All I would say is, see how Artist has written his latest post - it's debate inducing but he hasn't said things as though they are true/have any hard evidence which is why I believe people jump on your posts and you find yourself constantly justifying them.

Re this

I get accused by some of having opinions on things I know nothing about yet those same people make ridiculous statements about Martin Whitmarsh not liking Hamilton. My annoyance regarding this is not aimed at you, it's a general comment relating to opinions others have expressed.

I agree, so much so I have exercised the 'ignore' function.

BTW I said little knowledge, not know nothing about and I still believe that to be true about Hamilton's junior career path as it's generalised comments that would not be made if somebody understood exactly what he had to do (and in my opinion a lot more than others had to to get into F1), to prove he was good enough for that drive. But that's my opinion and this is where I may be showing my lack of knowledge.

 

[Kewee]

Hamberg......I don't even pretend to talk in truths only opinions, I've always made that abundantly clear. By the way I get as many, if not more likes than people jumping on my postings. Those that jump on me tend to because they know I'm an Alonso fan. I don't have a problem with that nor do I have a problem when people have a different opinion. What I find amusing is if I say I like Hamilton I get a pounding if i criticize, same result. Go figure.

 

[Hamberg]

You're an Alonso fan?!!!

 

[Hamberg]

Love this from the live update on Autosport

71 min: Hamilton studies data in the McLaren garage and is keeping the telemetry plots confidential so far this weekend.

 

[Kewee]

You're an Alonso fan?!!!

Precisely.

 

[F1ang-o]

I have a problem with Wihitmarsh & it only started when Jenson joined McLaren.
JB could maybe do a '2009 boring type' DCC & DWC for McLaren, he said in a recent TV interview after a race.....when the discussion was about ..it being easier for Fernando, because he is a clear No1 at Ferrari. JB looked straight at the camera & said ..I keep telling them that. ..It may have been on the BBC forum after his second place at Germany..which he was awarded after Sebastian Vettel passed him off track. It reminded me of another occasion when Vettel did the same, might have been Canada last year...but Macca didn't appear to do anything..it would have helped LH who was up the road, leading the race,.... if they had made Vettel .....give the place back..........But they were too busy.......... arguing about a silly JB/Massa con-tre-temps, which any fool could see was JB needing to give the place back to Massa.

LH attracts lots of publicity, good & bad..
Does he sign another contract.......to continue getting what appears to be No2 priority?

Keep a bird that can fly & soar caged.... clip it's wings, spoil what it is capable of........or set it free, whilst still young & fearless..
McLaren & Lewis need to think this thru....
LH has said he doesn't want No1 priority......but .more important he doesn't need second rate treatment either..
As Ruben's once aid..........all I get is Blah, Blah, Blah..................when he partnered JB.
Well Macca need to be more open......nor more Turkey 2010 etc,ec, etc,etc, etc, etc

 

[Brogan]

Martin Whitmarsh has told Sky News that "Lewis and his management have assured me of his intentions", whatever the hell that means.

 

[Kewee]

Brogan......I guess that means he'll be staying at McLaren. I've always thought he'd be best staying with them. Just doesn't seem to make sense moving when he has such an intimate understanding of what is essentially home for him. That knowledge alone must help his overall performance. Sure they've had their issues but nothing they can't work through.

 

[F1ang-o]

It's different from .."Lewis will definately be staying at McLaren" ......that he has been saying...

In the Drivers conference LH sounded more like Fernando...very determined but not saying too much...

I hope for the best outcome ..... for Lewis

 

[ZakspeedYakspeed]

Martin Whitmarsh has told Sky News that "Lewis and his management have assured me of his intentions", whatever the hell that means.

maybe he was referring to the A3 size telemetry printouts sticking out the back of his overalls...

 

[ZakspeedYakspeed]

I think Damon Hill would be the only guy I could remember who landed in a pretty damn good car in his first (full) "rookie" season .. 1993 Williams FW15C... barring the several entries in 1992 in the Brabham (8 entries... 6 DNQ's)

...ok...so his team mate was Alain Prost...

 

[ZakspeedYakspeed]

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/4769/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-now/

this just up...

 

[Hamberg]

Hmmm well I'm glad Whitmarsh has said this. It seemed from reports the deal was hanging on non racing committments/expectations but given recent events this very much needed to be said!

"Ultimately a driver has to drive where he is happy to drive, so the team and I don't want anyone who is not 100 per cent committed to it. You can't work like that. I've made that clear from the outset."

He added: "Lots of very positive things have been said to me, but then again, I've learned over the years that until people support that by inking the paper then you don't get too excited about it."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102307