Pondering Lewis Hamilton 28/06/2007 Although I live in the States, an English heart beats within me and my view on Lewis Hamilton is inevitably affected as a result. Whether we admit it or not, patriotism plays a part in our assessment of F1; the Germans loved Michael Schumacher and now the Spanish cheer for Alonso. It is entirely natural and not something to be criticized.Lewis Hamilton and Fernando AlonsoThings seem to be so much more complicated for the British, however. Perhaps because of a collective guilt over the supposed wrongs of the Empire, we try desperately hard to be even-handed in our views, not allowing the raging patriotism in our deepest being to show itself too often. But Hamilton makes it so difficult for us.Like other nations, we want one of our lads to succeed and be the best in the sport. When Jenson Button arrived, we put so much hope into him that the long wait for his first win became too much for most of us and we became disillusioned and overly critical of him as a result. Now we have a new star to invest our dreams in, a bright hope that delivers far beyond what anyone expected, a talent so supreme that already we talk of years of Hamilton domination of the sport.If only it were that simple for the British F1 enthusiast. Disgusted by the ignorant and ridiculous over-reaction by the Brit press to Hamilton's success, we find ourselves looking for reasons to drag the rookie back to earth. He's in the best car, we grumble, and 'Nando and Kimi have had to adjust to Bridgestone tires. How will Lewis react when things don't go so well, we ask. Let's see how he handles the wet, we suggest.Things get so complicated that we tie ourselves in knots, trying not to expect too much, too aware of previous disappointments, determined not to be swayed by patriotism in our learned discussions. As a Brit, I understand all these conflicting emotions only too well; they affect me as much as any of my countrymen.Attempting to step back from all that and to make an assessment purely through results and performance to date, I have to state that Lewis Hamilton is the real deal. Already he has done enough to prove that he is in the top flight of F1 drivers and will probably become a new Senna. I watched him brush the barrier at Monaco and continue unscathed, and then he comes within millimeters of touching the wall at Indianapolis. Luck? I don't think so, although he is certainly lucky (a necessary ingredient for any F1 champion). When a driver is able to judge distances to so fine a limit, it has to be admitted that he is something special. There is no doubt in my mind that Lewis will be the driver to beat for years to come.All that is said without regard for the fact that he happens to be British. I know that because, if I allow my Englishness into the equation, I find myself wanting Alonso to be champion this year. Lewis' turn will come, most probably again and again in the next few years, but Alonso somehow deserves this one for his daring move to McLaren against all the odds. He is still one of the best, at least as fast as Hamilton this year, and will likely be the main competition for him in the future, whatever cars they happen to be in. Let him have this year for old time's sake.But after that, forget it, 'Nando. The Hamilton lad can only get better and better...
Clive
Dan M I am impressed, but only slightly...How many other promising rookies are there that will never get to jump into the fastest car on the grid? I question weather Lewis' ability comes from his talent or his environment. With all the simulator work he has done he should be familiar with the car. (I wish they would stop saying hes never seen the track before.) With all the variables involved in F1 the only true way to judge his talent is against his teammate, whom is coming from a different team with little experience in the MP44.Heres something to try, switch spots with Speed and see if their results change. Hamilton is no doubt a better driver but the car determines your position more then the driver (just ask Button). That said, anyone that can keep up with Alonso, whatever car it might be, is a great driver.... but the next Senna?I reserve judgment until TC is gone and he has to actually pass someone to get the lead. He is an amazing qualifier..... which is basically the race in recent seasons. Date Added: 28/06/2007
Clive All true, Dan, but the really telling thing is his performance against Fernando. The Spaniard is probably the best driver in F1 at the moment and has two world championships to prove it. Yes, he has the disadvantage of being in a car that is new to him, but that didn't stop him being instantly quick in a Renault, or even a Minardi.Yet Hamilton arrives and is immediately on the same pace as Alonso. That is seriously unusual; the only other instances I can think of are Prost when he arrived in F1 (he was with McLaren and was quicker than John Watson, his team mate, straight away), Senna (immediately started pushing his way amongst the big boys - and in a Toleman, of all things!) and Schumacher (I hate to admit it but his qualifying the Jordan in fourth in his first GP was astounding).And Hamilton can only get better. Simulators help but it's on the track that quality really shines through. The lad is learning at the moment - it's frightening to think of how good he will be in years to come!It is certainly possible that, if you put Scott Speed in a McLaren, he would suddenly prove to be very quick. The trouble is that I don't think he'll ever get the chance... Date Added: 28/06/2007
patrick I don't think my nationality has ever particularly affected by judgment of drivers. I'm British, but I never cared for Mansell and thought Hill was, while a decent man, not from the top drawer as a driver. I was a big fan of Colin McRae, but was never as convinced by the sadly departed Richard Burns.I can live without the tabloid Hamilton hype we're subjected to over here - but all the same I think his performances against Alonso, a driver I rate very highly, have been truly outstanding. Date Added: 28/06/2007
Clive I agree with your assessment of all those drivers, Patrick - perhaps I am being even more successful in controlling my patriotism than I had suspected!So far I haven't seen anyone come up with a weakness of Hamilton's. Somewhere I saw him accused of arrogance but he certainly doesn't strike me that way. I guess we have to admit that he is looking very, very good... Date Added: 28/06/2007
Alianora La Canta The British are often blasé on one hand and astoundingly optimistic on the other - never better summarised than this time of year, when Tim Henman and his compatriots go to Wimbledon to play tennis. Now, all British tennis fans cheer for Tim, but very few ever seriously expect him to reach the semi-finals, let alone win the tournament. On the rare occasions that he does make a semi-final in a tennis tournament, the press goes crazy, and the fans are very happy (but less so than the press). However, as insulation against the inevitable disappointments, most British tennis fans also support at least one non-British tennis player (my mum, for instance, is keen on Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal).Translate this to motorsport and it explains not only the British fan's tendency not to get overly excited over its home-grown talent, but why the press can't get enough of Lewis Hamilton at the moment and why there's been a fan backlash against the press about it.As for Lewis himself, I think his statistics speak for themselves. They don't need press assistance to emphasise their quality. Date Added: 28/06/2007
Clive Very true Alianora - Lewis' qualities speak for themselves as loudly as his statistics. At times it is hard to remember that he is not to blame for the excess hype in the press, however.Is Tim Henman still playing? Blimey, the guy must be nearly as old as I am by now... ;) Date Added: 29/06/2007
Dan M Sometimes I think I'm looking for a reason for him to be something other than spectacular. I have something against him and I don't know what or why..... I personally don't like McLaren but I find myself rooting for Alonso, so that can be the case.I must say though, regardless of how he made it to where he is, he has been extremely humble through the whole process. If I suddenly became the biggest thing in sports, my ego would inflate more then the US dollar. Outside of Speed I don't root for someone purely by where they grew up (I like Speed because he is the underdog). I normally base my opinions of drivers based on their attitude to the media and the fans, something Hammy has been very good with. I do have a problem with the whole "I'm not going to talk about my teammate unless he is here..... starting after this conversation". That obviously wasn't cleared with Alonso first. But hey he's 22 years old! So am I and I make mistakes all the time. Date Added: 29/06/2007
Clive D'you know what I think, Dan? It's just occurred to me that the reason everyone harbors doubts about Hamilton is that he makes it all look too easy. For years we have convinced ourselves that we're watching guys at the very pinnacle of human endeavor, doing stuff that only a very few gifted individuals can manage, and then along comes this young guy from nowhere and he makes it look so easy! He doesn't even break a sweat.And, to rub it in, he then sits in the press conference, smiles sweetly, and says nothing that could indicate a ferociously competitive heart, a driving need to crush the other guy. He's just so darned nice!It's no wonder we want to see him in an adverse situation. Secretly, we're hoping he'll fall flat on his face! ;) Date Added: 29/06/2007
Alianora La Canta Tim Henman is still playing tennis - he got through to the second round before being beaten in five sets by someone I've never heard of before. Typical... Date Added: 30/06/2007
Clive I remember his great days when there was just a chance, an outside chance, that he could win at Wimbledon. It's amazing that he keeps going back - the guy must be nearly my age by now! Date Added: 30/06/2007
Alianora La Canta Apparently, Tim intends to return to Wimbledon next year. I like that sort of tenacity. Date Added: 02/07/2007
Clive I agree, Alianora. It's great to see someone refusing to give up. Sorta like David Coulthard - "What me, retire?" Date Added: 02/07/2007
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