And he's doing another mesmerising, Senna-esque push...

[ShiftingGears]

I could actually feel James' saliva spraying out of the television whenever Hamiltons name was mentioned(at least once a minute) with his fawning not at all endearing like Murray Walker's. That and feeling the need to also compare Senna and Hamilton at least half of the time.

Did this get on anyone elses nerves a lot?

[ArrowsFA1]

Did this get on anyone elses nerves a lot?
Nah, because while I was watching ITV's pictures I was listening to 5Live :p :

[Azumanga Davo]

I feel that James had an OK day (a rare thing I know). The Brits are always going to get a big rap from the Brit commentator, like Murray and Nigel, Murray and Damon etc. Nothing wrong with trying to keep the excitement alive...

PS I couldn't give a s*** where Mark Webber is at any point of a 10 Delayed Telecast, but then again, he is the hero of home here...

[markabilly]

not any different than the focus on Danica Pat at Indy. More focus was on her than anyone else.

Loved her stomp down the pit road, as it was pure nonsense, and the announcers went gaggaga, yayayddaa.

It was like Scott Dixon was no where, and who is that other driver who finished behind him......

The difference is that at least Hamilton does win races and drive consistently at the top, so "creating media interest in an attempt to drive up viewer interst" will always be there on someone, it is just than some are more deserving of it than others.....

[Zico]

I really rate Lewis as a driver but it does iritate me,

Ill compare Lewis to Senna when his achievements compare..

[Azumanga Davo]

I'll explain my comments a bit further if I may. I do find James Allen to be, well, full of it for want of a better word. ;) But if his style of commentary was going to fit anywhere, Monaco was always going to be it, where plenty of drama, excitement, heck, even the odd legal pass :p : was happening on track.

[Hawkmoon]

It's not Allen's style that's irritating. It's his unbridled man-love for Hamilton that's gone completely over the top.

As someone posted in another thread he kept asking Mike Gascoyne how he thought Hamilton was doing every time they crossed to the Force India tech boss. WTF? Gascoyne has nothing to do with Hamilton and I'm sure would much rather of commented on his own drivers. Gascoyne at least had the decency to answer the idiot.

The last 15 or 20 laps were the worst though. I lost count of the times he managed to work Senna and Hamilton into the same sentence. Just go down and have the guy's babies Allen and spare us the worship. We fans can do it but commentators can't. The're supposed to leave the bias at home and at least try to be impartial.

Stop comparing a guy who has won 6 races and ZERO titles to a three-time champion who won 41 races and achieved a legendary status. Hamilton is not Senna. Right now he's not even Damon Hill or Jacques Villeneuve. When his career is over or he's got 3 titles under his belt you can make the comparison. Until then, don't. Please!

This is why some people don't like Hamilton. His fans in the media are going completely over-the-top. In Australia we have little choice but to watch and read the British media because we don't have our own specialist F1 media and F1 barely rates a mention in the mainstream press. Having Hamilton-worship rammed down your throat is bloody annoying.

[wedge]

I could actually feel James' saliva spraying out of the television whenever Hamiltons name was mentioned(at least once a minute) with his fawning not at all endearing like Murray Walker's. That and feeling the need to also compare Senna and Hamilton at least half of the time.

Did this get on anyone elses nerves a lot?

Post-Senna, it's been a cliche to call the 'next big thing' as Senna-esque

JYS overhyped Jan Magnusson as the next Senna

Mo Nunn fuelled JPM as the next Senna

Same thing happening in NASCAR post-Dale Earnhardt Snr - Kyle Busch is apparantly hailed as the new Intimidator.

[K-Pu]

The problem is that now you´re the next Senna, and the next day you´re a total failure.

I remember when people tried to kill and bury Michael Schumacher at the beginning of 2003... and he won the WDC

[wedge]

Stop comparing a guy who has won 6 races and ZERO titles to a three-time champion who won 41 races and achieved a legendary status.

Gilles Villenueve won ZERO titles and achieved legendary status.

[Hawkmoon]

Gilles Villenueve won ZERO titles and achieved legendary status.

And that legend arose after his death. Whilst he was racing he was spectacular to watch but hardly legendary.

Some people have been comparing Hamilton to the all-time greats since half way through his first season. Some people were even making that call before he'd won a single bloody race! There's a difference between saying somebody could be an all-time great and saying somebody is and all-time great. Senna is an all-time great. Hamilton is nothing more than unfulfilled potential.

For his fans this kind of worship from the media won't be annoying. For those, like me, who have no reason to like the guy, it's become very irritating

[wedge]

Some people have been comparing Hamilton to the all-time greats since half way through his first season. Some people were even making that call before he'd won a single bloody race! There's a difference between saying somebody could be an all-time great and saying somebody is and all-time great. Senna is an all-time great. Hamilton is nothing more than unfulfilled potential.

Alonso is regarded as a great because he won 2 WDC and so came into last season as the man to beat.

Lewis just about matched Alonso so is the hype not warranted?

[Zico]

Alonso is regarded as a great because he won 2 WDC and so came into last season as the man to beat.

Lewis just about matched Alonso so is the hype not warranted?

uh..oh.. here we go again.. :D

[Ari]

The fact that I much prefer to watch the race on Speed TV with their big southern Nascar accents speaks volumes for ITV.

[Hawkmoon]

Alonso is regarded as a great because he won 2 WDC and so came into last season as the man to beat.

Lewis just about matched Alonso so is the hype not warranted?

He's a talented driver with a load of potential. That potential is still largely unfulfilled.

Surely you're not suggesting that Hamilton is in the same league as Senna? Hamilton has achieved exactly Jack **** compared to Senna. He's never driven a crap car nor has he ever had to come from the back of the grid. There are still many questions about the guy that have to be answered.

That's why people are sick of the sycophantic commentary of James Allen. He's been fawning all over Hamilton since early 2007. Allen carries on like there's never been a better driver. Schumacher won more than any other two or three world champions put together yet many people feel that Senna was better. Allen and others seem to want to put Hamilton alongside Senna after 1 season.

In my view the comparison is absurd and has no place in the commentating of a race.

[CNR]

you need to take into account spygate aswell this has all been said before but is he only as good as the car he is driving.

[gloomyDAY]

I was getting irritated over Allen's "Senna-esque" quips!
My eyes were about to fall out from rolling so much.

Hamilton is a great driver, and my favorite driver, but this is getting out of hand. Every single time I watch ITV there's always someone licking Hamilton's arse. Get over it! Let the men race without the biased bull**** and show the rest of the field for Christ sakes.

What also made me angry was how ITV vilifies Alonso.
Last year happened last year. Enough of the bitterness you tossers.

[curry]

BBC, please do not sign Allen for next year!!!! After the last two races I am already sick of Senna & Hamilton being used in the same sentance - no more please!

[AndyRAC]

I was getting irritated over Allen's "Senna-esque" quips!
My eyes were about to fall out from rolling so much.

Hamilton is a great driver, and my favorite driver, but this is getting out of hand. Every single time I watch ITV there's always someone licking Hamilton's arse. Get over it! Let the men race without the biased bull**** and show the rest of the field for Christ sakes.

What also made me angry was how ITV vilifies Alonso.
Last year happened last year. Enough of the bitterness you tossers.

I feel the same - I actually like Hamilton, but the OTT sycophancy is a joke. They were still going on about being 'robbed' last year at Monaco. The British press/media kicked off the Hamilton/Alonso 'war' last year after Monaco, with silly ill-informed comments. Even on Saturday in an interview with Alonso - last year was brought up. Please, let it go. Unfortunately Hamilton is F1/Motorsport in Britain.

[longisland]

For the time being, the only thing about Lewis that is "Senna-esque" may be his crash helmet.

[Storm]

We heard the same crap with Button now here comes a guy who is actually winning so....the hype is even more!

Makes it real hard to root for Hamilton..with all the love-fest on TV commentry, you are bound to be irritated one day or the other...also the fact that he is a smug fellow who comes across as if he is faking being a nice guy...JMO

[ArrowsFA1]

Unfortunately Hamilton is F1/Motorsport in Britain.
I do agree that the media coverage gets a bit much, but remember we are largely talking about it the British media here, and Hamilton is British after all. Should we expect ITV and the British media to hype up (just as an example) Heikki instead? I don't think so.

Unfortunately the British media do have a habit of building sports starts up and up, before eventually finding reasons to tear them down again. Sadly, that's the way we seem to deal with many successful and talented people.

Still, look on the bright side. It was worse when Mansell was winning :p In those days Senna, Piquet and any other "johnny foreigner" who challenged "our Noige" were the bad guys. Now, Alonso appears to have inherited that dubious honour.

[Azumanga Davo]

Still, look on the bright side. It was worse when Mansell was winning :p In those days Senna, Piquet and any other "johnny foreigner" who challenged "our Noige" were the bad guys. Now, Alonso appears to have inherited that dubious honour.

Don't forget Britain had a Johnny too... ;)

But Nigel had car of the decade right there and then, of course he was going to get talked about more.

[TMorel]

Does anyone really think that switching to Aunty Beeb will make things different?

Sure, they'll get rid of James Allen and Martin Brundle (sob) but I bet whoever gets put in their place will still be given the brief of "HYPE UP HAMILTON"
You've seen the viewing figures of Top Gear, F1 isn't for the "fans" any more, they're appealing to the casual viewers who think Lewis is a sweet kid who banks with Abbey and uses his Vodaphone mobile to call his granny.

Blimey, if you think this is bad, you should have seen my flatmate twitch when we lived in the same town as ma Schumi - there was twice the level of fawning he had to put up with!

[Knock-on]

Allen is cringeworthy in his adoration for Lewis and it really is quite sickening. However, that's no reason to hate the driver is it? Hopefully the BBC team will put a bit of balance back in the commentry.

However, I'm amazed that so many non-British residents are surprised that a British Driver in a British Car is focused on by a British Commentator on a British television station.

May I suggest you get your own countries TV stations to provide commentry and stop bitching about ours :laugh:

[Big Ben]

Alonso is regarded as a great because he won 2 WDC and so came into last season as the man to beat.

Lewis just about matched Alonso so is the hype not warranted?

no

[turves]

The rumours are that the Top Gear boys could get the F1 commentary next year - will Hamilton then be the next STIG...? :laugh:

I just hope Allen goes away full stop!

[wedge]

Even on Saturday in an interview with Alonso - last year was brought up. Please, let it go. Unfortunately Hamilton is F1/Motorsport in Britain.

Nothing wrong with that. It was Alonso's opportunity to set the record straight. Unfortunately there are people out there who thought he was lying scum or speaking the truth; in the same way some people think Lewis is nice lad and some who think he's cocky and arrogant.

[aryan]

However, I'm amazed that so many non-British residents are surprised that a British Driver in a British Car is focused on by a British Commentator on a British television station.



I appreciate that they are British commentators mainly targeting British audience, but to think of them as only YOUR commentators is definitely not correct. The ITV feed is relayed in many other parts of the world, Sky Sports in New Zealand and Network Ten in Australia are among them. I think they underestimate the large international audience that they are speaking to.

Indeed other than the Speed guys in the US and the ITV team, I don't know of many other English TV F1 commentating teams. Star Sport has Steve Slater and Chris Goodwin (mediocre to say the best), but this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_broadcasters) says that Setanta, RTM1 (Malaysia) and DStv (South Africa) also carry F1 in English live. Does anyone know if they have their own commentating team or if they relay one of the above mentioned?

[aryan]

However, I'm amazed that so many non-British residents are surprised that a British Driver in a British Car is focused on by a British Commentator on a British television station.



I appreciate that they are British commentators mainly targeting British audience, but to think of them as only YOUR commentators is definitely not correct. The ITV feed is relayed in many other parts of the world, Sky Sports in New Zealand and Network Ten in Australia are among them. I think they underestimate the large international audience that they are speaking to.

Indeed other than the Speed guys in the US and the ITV team, I don't know of many other English TV F1 commentating teams. Star Sport has Steve Slater and Chris Goodwin (mediocre to say the best), but this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_broadcasters) says that Setanta, RTM1 (Malaysia) and DStv (South Africa) also carry F1 in English live. Does anyone know if they have their own commentating team, or if they relay one of the above mentioned?

[Knock-on]

I appreciate that they are British commentators mainly targeting British audience, but to think of them as only YOUR commentators is definitely not correct. The ITV feed is relayed in many other parts of the world, Sky Sports in New Zealand and Network Ten in Australia are among them. I think they underestimate the large international audience that they are speaking to.

Indeed other than the Speed guys in the US and the ITV team, I don't know of many other English TV F1 commentating teams. Star Sport has Steve Slater and Chris Goodwin (mediocre to say the best), but this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_broadcasters) says that Setanta, RTM1 (Malaysia) and DStv (South Africa) also carry F1 in English live. Does anyone know if they have their own commentating team, or if they relay one of the above mentioned?

I'm not sure if they do their own commentry.

I still don't know why people moan though. You have a choice. Watch Speed or something if you don't like ITV.

When I go to France, I often struggle with the Language but would never expect them to speak English just to suit the odd tourist that pops over. Similarly, a UK team, featured on a UK program, in the UK, with a UK driver, will focus on their target audience. The UK.

[Lemmy-Boy]

This is a typical case of nationalism. The more he wins, the more we'll experience nut-huggerism from the British Press.

I hope Hamilton wins the title this year. But he's still got a lot to prove to be in the same sentence as Senna.

[ioan]

The British press/media kicked off the Hamilton/Alonso 'war' last year after Monaco, with silly ill-informed comments.

Based on info that they got from some Hamilton named guys, father and son! :d

[aryan]

I still don't know why people moan though. You have a choice. Watch Speed or something if you don't like ITV.

I'm not one of the moaners, I love Brundle and wouldn't change ITV's commentary with anything else. Well maybe BBC's Radio 5 Live but I can't listen to that anymore after BBC launched iPlayer last year. Can't complain though as I'm not paying the Beeb tax anymore after moving to the colonies :p



When I go to France, I often struggle with the Language but would never expect them to speak English just to suit the odd tourist that pops over. Similarly, a UK team, featured on a UK program, in the UK, with a UK driver, will focus on their target audience. The UK.

I fail to grasp the analogy. Living or visiting a foreign country with TV commentary in the "English Speaking World" is surely comparing apples and oranges. I've lived in a couple of countries and I've always tried to pick up the local language with various degrees of success. Indeed you can probably tell from my flag that I am not a native English speaker.

Back on topic though, and let me clarify my position. I love ITV's commentary, and I feel to a certain extent their passion for Hamilton is justified (maybe the fact that I'm a Hamilton fan helps that!). But all I'm pointing out, is that ITV's F1 coverage is not only viewed in UK, it is being broadcasted in many parts of the English speaking world. Perhaps not even half of ITV's viewers are British. As such, a little more objectivity would go along way in making everyone happier.

[SGWilko]

I hope Hamilton wins the title this year. But he's still got a lot to prove to be in the same sentence as Senna.

:up: head the nail the hit on.

Re-arrange the above to form a well known saying........

[TMorel]

aryan,
But are the comercials aimed at people abroad?
If the big bosses have said to the ITV presenters "we need to keep the advertisers happy, they're targetting 24-34yr old women who are only watching because of Lewis" then of course they're going to hype him up.
If the other countries who are buying the feeds were to increase the amount they pay for the service if the presenters were to "big up" a particular driver then I'm sure Allens boss would be telling him to forget about the boy wonder.

[Melqui]

Compare Lewis with Senna is a sin :D

[AndyRAC]

Compare Lewis with Senna is a sin :D

Which Senna are we talking about??

[ArrowsFA1]

Based on info that they got from some Hamilton named guys, father and son!
The British media, tabloids in particular, are quite capable of making ill-informed comments all by themselves :p :

[ioan]

The British media, tabloids in particular, are quite capable of making ill-informed comments all by themselves :p :

Sure they are, but we all know that the Hamiltons were the ones who were putting gas on the fire last year in Monaco! Why? Because he "felt" that he was faster! :rolleyes:

[SGWilko]

Sure they are, but we all know that the Hamiltons were the ones who were putting gas on the fire last year in Monaco! Why? Because he "felt" that he was faster! :rolleyes:

Well, that's because he was faster! He was more than a match for Alonso, pretty much from the get go. Very similar to how JV entered F1, having conducted lots of pre season testing. If you do your homework, you get the results. ;)

[ioan]

Well, that's because he was faster!

He should have qualified 1st and win the race in that case. Crying over spilt milk destroyed his team last year.

[ArrowsFA1]

we all know that the Hamiltons were the ones who were putting gas on the fire last year in Monaco!
I assume by "the Hamiltons" you mean LH's comment (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59502) immediately after the race that:
"I am in my first season in Formula One and I have finished second in only my first Monaco Grand Prix so I really can't complain, but to see that I am of a similar pace to Fernando is a positive for me. But it is something I have to live with. I've got number two on my car. I am the number two driver."
The British media (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59243) loved that one :p :

[SGWilko]

He should have qualified 1st and win the race in that case. Crying over spilt milk destroyed his team last year.

He couldn't win, he was prevented from doing so. You label LH as crying over spilt milk, Alonso must have grabbed a yodlers horn and screamed from the Himalayas in comparison then later that season. In fact, he's still crying to the media this year.

Ho hum.

[Bezza]

Senna had a yellow helmet.
Hamilton has a yellow helmet.

The simililariites start and end there!

[donKey jote]

He couldn't win, he was prevented from doing so.
...
Ho hum.

He couldn't win, he was told to settle for position. :)

If he hadn't been "prevented from trying too hard", and if he had caught Alonso without him slowing down (Alonso was also told to settle for position ;) ), and if he could get past Alonso cleanly or if Alonso had made a mistake, then he might have won, yes...
providing he also hadn't binned it trying :p :

He was prevented from too many ifs, but that's all history now.

Ho hum
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_3_166.gif

[SGWilko]

A very good 'Season Strokes' in Autosport Journal this week......

[Knock-on]

Senna had a yellow helmet.
Hamilton has a yellow helmet.

The simililariites start and end there!

Well.....

They are both F1 racing drivers and started in Karts
AS won F3 as did Lewis who also won F Renault and GP2
AS won 6 GP in first 3 years in F1 and LH won 6 in his first season and 1/3
They both had a famous disagreement with another WDC
AS was noted for his wet weather skills and LH just won Monoco by being head and shoulders above the field in wet and changing conditions
They both have a high pole to race percentage and race to win.
Both came 2nd in their first Monoco GP and AS won his first after 4 attempts while Lewis took 2.

You can begin to see why he is compared to Senna and described as "the next Senna". I don't personally like it because Lewis has never demonstrated the sort of Sportsmanship that Senna could demonstrate on occassions but he has demonstrated what a remarkable young driver he is.

And they both wear yellow helmets :D

[ArrowsFA1]

A very good 'Season Strokes' in Autosport Journal this week......
Loved it :up: :s mokin:

[ioan]

Well.....

They are both F1 racing drivers and started in Karts
AS won F3 as did Lewis who also won F Renault and GP2
AS won 6 GP in first 3 years in F1 and LH won 6 in his first season and 1/3
They both had a famous disagreement with another WDC
AS was noted for his wet weather skills and LH just won Monoco by being head and shoulders above the field in wet and changing conditions
They both have a high pole to race percentage and race to win.
Both came 2nd in their first Monoco GP and AS won his first after 4 attempts while Lewis took 2.

You can begin to see why he is compared to Senna and described as "the next Senna". I don't personally like it because Lewis has never demonstrated the sort of Sportsmanship that Senna could demonstrate on occassions but he has demonstrated what a remarkable young driver he is.

And they both wear yellow helmets :D

Senna started in an inferior car in F1, Lewy in one of the best cars.
There go all the so called similarities out through the window, and we're back to the yellow helmet. :p :

[SGWilko]

There go all the ...... similarities out .... the window, . :p :

Wow, so the similarities are no longer similar, because of one difference?

Smoke and mirrors? ;)

[ioan]

Wow, so the similarities are no longer similar, because of one difference?

Smoke and mirrors? ;)

Just a huge difference, so who needs smoke and mirrors? Maybe Lewy's fans! :p :

[Knock-on]

Just a huge difference, so who needs smoke and mirrors? Maybe Lewy's fans! :p :


It's natural that when a potential driver of an era comes along, that he is compared to the greats.

I seem to remember Schumacher being compared to Senna as Lewis is now.

It's always happened in every sport and in 10 years, perhaps we will get people moaning about some hotshot being described as "The new Lewey" :D

[schmenke]

Allen is cringeworthy in his adoration for Lewis and it really is quite sickening. However, that's no reason to hate the driver is it? Hopefully the BBC team will put a bit of balance back in the commentry.

However, I'm amazed that so many non-British residents are surprised that a British Driver in a British Car is focused on by a British Commentator on a British television station.

May I suggest you get your own countries TV stations to provide commentry and stop bitching about ours :laugh:

ITV, more specifically James Allen, must realise that their commentary is generally carried by television channels around the world. Allen's obvious bias comes across as a tad too unprofessional to non-British viewers.

I'm fortunate to have a choice of three television channels on which to watch F1 races, one of which carries the ITV commentary feed. Although I enjoy Martin Brundle I find James Allen's commentary annoying. It's for this reason alone that I usually tune into Speed T.V. with their mix of American and British commentators.

[grantb4]

ITV, more specifically James Allen, must realise that their commentary is generally carried by television channels around the world. Allen's obvious bias comes across as a tad too unprofessional to non-British viewers.


I don't know. Seems to me a natural that an all British broadcasting team would favor the British teams and drivers.

Ever watch the Olympics in the USA? The coverage is downright awful if you hope to hear anything about any other country. Like David Letterman's mom said when everyone was talking about Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, "There's other skaters David."


I'm fortunate to have a choice of three television channels on which to watch F1 races, one of which carries the ITV commentary feed. Although I enjoy Martin Brundle I find James Allen's commentary annoying. It's for this reason alone that I usually tune into Speed T.V. with their mix of American and British commentators.

I only watch two. I like the ITV (TSN+Torrents) coverage simply because they know what's going on. They are at the race. SpeedTV seem like they have as much knowledge as the bloke sitting next to me on the couch. Matchett has some good knowledge, but those guys are where, Indianapolis?
Peter Windsor's comments are great and he's actually at the race (!), but then he's British or Aussie or something... right?

I've heard enough from Mike Gascoyne though. Once a race would probably be enough. And I don't think Blundell brings much to the pre-and post-race shows. They need a rabble rouser like James Hunt was. Brundle is kind of, but not gruff enough.


It's all moot as it's BBC next year.

[Azumanga Davo]

Peter Windsor's comments are great and he's actually at the race (!), but then he's British or Aussie or something... right?

Him? The guy is as big a donkey as Jote is. ;)

[truefan72]

The fact that I much prefer to watch the race on Speed TV with their big southern Nascar accents speaks volumes for ITV.

that's just ignorance

if you watch the speed TV F1 coverage (which apparantley you don't) you will know that 3 of the 4 member of the telecast are british and the other one has a far from southern accent. If you are going to make a statement, try to get the facts right and stay away from thinly veiled attempts of misguided sarcasm.

[truefan72]

Well.....

You can begin to see why he is compared to Senna and described as "the next Senna". I don't personally like it because Lewis has never demonstrated the sort of Sportsmanship that Senna could demonstrate on occassions but he has demonstrated what a remarkable young driver he is.

And they both wear yellow helmets :D

let's not kid ourselves
Senna was simply not know for his sportsmanship, or his friendlyness, or his willingness to work with temamates. He was at times very petulant, and at other times stoic. On the track, he was a mercenary who didn't give an inch to his competitiors and often forced the issue. Hated being overtaken and didn;t shy a way from contact. ...I respect Senna and he has legendary status in my book, impart due to his untimely death and the nature of it.

I'm not sure where the "sportsmanship" issues are with LH.

Has he ran a driver off the track, has he deliberately stalled a driver in the pits, has he driven defensively, has he caused an accident or wrecked another car???

the worst thing he has done to date was to shake his fists at Fisichella at the Bharein GP this year( which I thought was uncalled for).

But this notion of poor sportsmanship is simply not true and belies the facts.
If you don't like the guy fine, but you can't start making up unfounded reasons with no basis in the records.

[truefan72]

Allen is cringeworthy in his adoration for Lewis and it really is quite sickening. However, that's no reason to hate the driver is it? Hopefully the BBC team will put a bit of balance back in the commentry.

However, I'm amazed that so many non-British residents are surprised that a British Driver in a British Car is focused on by a British Commentator on a British television station.

May I suggest you get your own countries TV stations to provide commentry and stop bitching about ours :laugh:


Now that's well said :up:

[Knock-on]

let's not kid ourselves
Senna was simply not know for his sportsmanship, or his friendlyness, or his willingness to work with temamates. He was at times very petulant, and at other times stoic. On the track, he was a mercenary who didn't give an inch to his competitiors and often forced the issue. Hated being overtaken and didn;t shy a way from contact. ...I respect Senna and he has legendary status in my book, impart due to his untimely death and the nature of it.

I'm not sure where the "sportsmanship" issues are with LH.

Has he ran a driver off the track, has he deliberately stalled a driver in the pits, has he driven defensively, has he caused an accident or wrecked another car???

the worst thing he has done to date was to shake his fists at Fisichella at the Bharein GP this year( which I thought was uncalled for).

But this notion of poor sportsmanship is simply not true and belies the facts.
If you don't like the guy fine, but you can't start making up unfounded reasons with no basis in the records.

Ummm, think you may have got your knickers on back to front on this one mate ;)

If it helps, insert the word "bad" before sportsmanship in my original post. I think it's demeaning to Lewis to compare that side him to Senna :D

I have been a great fan of Lewis since seeing and meeting him in his FRenault days and believe he is the best driver I have ever seen. However, others have different opinions which I respect but Lewis is a driver of a generation in my opinion.