Is Lewis Hamilton the "real deal"?

Isaint Wrote:
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> schumacher had to work so hard for that recognition
> and most people hated him for every accomplishment
> he attained ..... right time, right
> place, nothing more.

I'm sorry, but no. Schumacher came in and set his own standards. He had to live up to them. He hadn't come along with everyone expecting unrivalled success. People hated him not for his achievements, but for the way he went about achieving them.

Hamilton has come along, and before he even sat in an F1 car the media were practically drooling over his prospects as a world champion. It's probably the same in Brazil with Bruno Senna, not only for the name and connection, but the way he goes about his racing (heart before head and all that). Brazil are absolutely desperate for another superstar.

If Hamilton does well, then excellent. So far, he's exceeded most expectations, but even now it's premature. He's not the first guy to come in and impress against a multiple world-champion team-mate. But then so did Roberto Moreno, who most probably remember for slowly losing ground to Pedro Diniz in Forti Fords before they folded...

It does bear repeating that Lewis is unique in that he's been primed for motor racing most of his life, and has received professional help in becoming a top-line racing driver. It would be foolish to expect anything other than success. I doubt Mclaren would have wasted 10 years of investment on a scheme that "might" reap benefits.

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Locke Cole Wrote:
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> It does bear repeating that Lewis is unique in
> that he's been primed for motor racing most of his
> life, and has received professional help in
> becoming a top-line racing driver. It would be
> foolish to expect anything other than success. I
> doubt Mclaren would have wasted 10 years of
> investment on a scheme that "might" reap benefits.

Yeah, but potential is one thing, the real thing is another. When Frentzen came to F1 he was expected to eventually sweep all before him - this was a guy who when teammate to Schumacher at Mercedes, was thought of as the more complete driver.

When he got a top drive in F1 it never happened. He did the basics fine, but at no point did he look like he could mount a title challenge, much like Coulthard. Of course, when he ended up at Jordan things worked out better, but there were less expectations. Frentzen was deemed a failure in F1 because people thought he was going to be a true great.

Rubens was similar. In 93, 94, 97 and 99 he put in some sensational drives - Donington in 93, Spa in 94 (where he started from pole, and was on course to win before he retired, with MS being disqualified) and Interlagos in 99 stand out in particular for me. Again, when the chance came along, it was never looked like it was going to happen (though whether MS was cause or effect is another debate).

There's nothing to suggest Hamilton will go the same way - everything points to him consistently winning, but it's not just the media who need to keep their feet on the ground.

Isaint Wrote:
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> And incidently formula one cars are a lot easier
> to drive.
> Here's an example ..... remember when there was
> talk of Rossi relaceing Ms?
> Well he never drove race car in his life but he
> was only a second off Michaels pace the first time
> he let go in anger .......?

true, but the last second is the hardest to close up. most drivers from other series in the world could come and drive an F1 test and come within a couple of seconds of whoever their experienced rival driver is in the same car, it's making up the last little bit that is the hardest.

and yes Lewis has had everything pretty well sorted in his life since hooking up with Ron, but he showed his skill in the years before then by beating boys older than him, which put him in the position to be noticed as something special.

if he was just average in those pre-Ron years, would Ron have plucked him out from the crowd and backed him for 10+ years? i doubt it.

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RIP Jules, never to be forgotten. #KeepFightingMichael

All very well, good points by all the last couple of posts but like I said before, he has a complete package at the moment. Next year when there is no traction control it will be more a drivers arena then we'll know how unique Hamilton is.
As for him driving with his heart like Senna? Well, so does Kimmi, so does Massa.
The thing that set Senna appart as a 'Great' was his inate ability to quickly find the limit of a car and drive it beyond expectation. He always drove on the edge consistantly, in any car and delivered ... same with Schummi.
When Hamilton can bring that to the table, I'll be the first to buy the crown and we can all pay homage.

In conclusion whilst every one may feel that schumacher went about getting his acheivments in the wrong way or that senna always took risks or vilineuve was too arrogant ..... well all I can say is this, I was amateur boxer for years. You don't walk into the ring worrying wether or not your going to hurt the other guy. You use what ever skill or raw power that is availible and you anialate that person. Afterwards you can shake hands but if I'm looking to win, I'll be damned if I'm going to worry about other peoples sence of fair play.
I could always tell when another fighter was giving up .... he always complained to the ref about 'low blows' even when there wasn't any. You don't intentionaly try to win unfairly but as Shummi. once said 'this is a dangerous sport sport' your there to win because that is all that counts. Sure you don't bite peoples ears off and some of the things that Schummi did where just plain stupid, like the free parking in Monaco but man, he came back and done it clean and that's all the history books will show 7 world Champion ships. Any body that says it's not the winning 'it's the takeing part', ... well they never truly took part in anything .... lets hope that Hamilton has that kind of mind-set otherwise he'll end up like the 'Buttons' of this world .... really nice guy but easily forgotten .........



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2007 03:00PM by Isaint.

Lewis has already shown that he is isn't a "nice guy" on the track which is a good thing and having watched his GP2 season showed that he takes no prisoners. He has the right attitude, the race craft and the determination to win that all the best drivers have had.
As for traction control, GP2 doesn't have it and he did well without it.
Senna drove with his head as well as his heart, he learnt from Prost how to be stealthy as well as bullish in his Mclaren years and developed his race craft to the ultimate level. His feedback was legendary and was known by Lotus and Mclaren engineers to literaly "download" data when returning to the pits from a run on track.

Yes, Lewis has skill without any doubt and yes there is no traction control in GP2. But compared to the power of a formula 1 car that is not an argument for comparison. In any event I agree that so far things look good but how good only time or at least one season will dictate ...........

to neil pearson - who is that girl with red hair on your signature? scrummy stuff!

His mother

Sorry, no Elisha Cuthbert I believe.

edit, Actually im not sure if it is her.

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"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2007 10:58PM by chet.

It will be. He'd get killed by his Gods if it were anyone else.

spa 1994 rb was no where near winning the race he spun off if i remember correct and that was after the normal top drivers passed him.

Some of his drives in the Stewart Ford were good remember France 1999 he led most of the race.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2007 02:07PM by marcl.

marcl Wrote:
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> spa 1994 rb was no where near winning the race he
> spun off if i remember correct and that was after
> the normal top drivers passed him.

Yeah, but he was just behind the Williams and didn't have to stop again

Yes but he spun off lol

Mansell doesn't believe the hype:

"Mansell told the Daily Telegraph that he is reminded of how the British media lionised Jenson Button long before he managed his first and only victory.

"What can you say?" Mansell, who is helping his sons Leo and Greg forge their own racing careers, said. "We had to win races and challenge for championships before we got the rewards. Now you seem to get the rewards before you achieve."

Mansell believes that most of the 22-year-old rookie's impressive debut so far in 2007 can be ascribed to McLaren.

He continued: "McLaren have been way overdue for success. Timing is everything. When a driver can arrive with a team and an engine coming right, it makes a difference.

"No disrespect to him."

But Mansell hints that Hamilton's immaculate preparation for F1, since first meeting Ron Dennis at the age of ten, makes comparisons with earlier greats unsuitable.

Mansell believes that Hamilton's preparation and grooming by Ron Dennis, who he met at the age of ten, makes it impossible to compare his achievements to those of the drivers of yesteryear.


"I think it was ordained," he said as he drew parallels between Lewis' full McLaren sponsorship while coming through the ranks, and how he had to sell his house to fund a Formula 3 seat.

Mansell said: "My story was a lot harder.""

I think he's partly right.

On the other hand, Hamilton may have the good car, you have to put it to good use too, and i think he did it maximal. You saw it with Massa last year, he had a top car, but he seemed to need a few race to get used to the car and so ever. Hamilton makes you think he's racing in f1 for years and years, without real spins and errors till now, and that's his achievement i think.

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And some say... he's so offensive he could get you into trouble...
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THE SIG


Felipe Massa, World Champion 15:34:11pm- 15:34:21pm.

Now it's the Professor's turn to give an opinion on Lewis:

"Alain Prost believes the jury is still out on Lewis Hamilton's ability to mount a title challenge in his debut F1 season.

McLaren star Hamilton has finished on the podium at each of his first three races for the British marque since making the step-up from GP2 over the winter.

He has proved more than a match for team-mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso, and jointly heads the Drivers' Championship alongside the Spaniard and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

His performances have led to a chorus of praise from a host of seasoned observers - including three-time Champion Niki Lauda - who insist the 22-year-old can challenge for the title in his rookie season.

But Prost, who won three of his four World Championships with McLaren, is preferring to delay judgment until after the next two rounds of the season, starting this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.
Prost told Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I think we will know more about that (Hamilton's title chances) after Barcelona and Monte Carlo, but it is not impossible."

The 52-year-old Frenchman, who won 51 grands prix in a 13-year career, believes that Hamilton is revelling in a pressure-free environment at McLaren, with the Briton having exceeded all expectations with his performances in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain.

He added: "I see him in a psychologically favourable situation.

"He has driven well and without errors, but so many young drivers come in with a bang and then disappear.

"Lewis, however, has done it at three different circuits so far.""

At least he's not giving out advice.

Lewis has got 4 podiums in 4 races, and leads the 2007 F1 Championship...IN HIS ROOKIE YEAR!!...and the next race is Monaco....

If consistency is the major factor (whether he wins a race in 2007 or not) I would have to say the man has every indication that he can be WC either this year or next year.

I will be looking extremely forward to his performance in Monte Carlo this year...if he can get a front row start, this can be the race that shapes his career.