Hamilton's Driving

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

Or countless other drivers. I doubt those being over-critical (I say that because I do feel Hamilton has gone a bit over the top on occasion) would have been able to cope with the Villeneuve/Arnoux scrap at Dijon in 1979, or would have felt that the battle between Surtees and Brabham into the Parabolica on the last lap at Monza in 1967 was almost suicidal.

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What was wonderful about Villeneuve and Arnoux was that they knew when they were beaten, and they came back half a lap later.

The problem is not Hamilton, really; He pushes the bounds of what's allowable, as any top sportsperson should do (I say that even though I don't like him, but I'm happy he's there, we all need a baddie in the drama). The problem is that the stewards are being very unclear as to where the line is, the line that should not be crossed.

It is equally better to do nothing as something always.

I have seen Lewis before. He is the driver with immense ability, but he is also the driver that cannot do nothing.

He showed that in 2009 at Monte Carlo - he understood that his car was not good enough for pole position, yet he went at qualifying that overreached and he crashed.

Another moment was Monza 2009 where instead of settling for points and building, he crashed on the last lap due to an irrational belief that he would have caught and passed Jenson.

Now while there are those who might consider this an overly critical look at the Brit by a Jenson supporter, it is rather an illustration of a driver with deep flaw.

Villeneuve was killed due to having this same flaw. He could never read a situation but just WENT!

Of course this will "wow" the crowds, and celebrate him.

It is also a trait that the man he is compared with, Senna, never had.

Everything Senna did was never governed by that "red mist" - it was pre-meditated. His ability was also superior to that of Hamilton in acute situations.

While his teammate Jenson reminds me more of drivers such as Jody Scheckter and Emerson Fittipaldi than anyone else, it is Gilles Villeneuve that Hamilton is developing into. If ever a driver required the firm guidance of "Uncle Ken", it is he.

And those past top drivers of the sport and commentators who celebrate and refrain from constructive Hamilton criticism, are not doing the driver any good.

Lewis is now driving so fair and fast that BE has to defend him. Whats next?

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Originally Posted by henners88

On the flip side you could say that this is the same driver who kept his cool and won the 2008 Monaco GP, and also won the 2008 WDC in the dying moments of the 2008 Brazilian GP. Pointing out the 2 mistakes you mention quite frequently to justify this red mist and character trait is quite a weak arguement IMO. I'm not saying Lewis is flawless but he has had 56 races in F1 now and these 2 occasions are hardly a representation of his overall driving style.

How many times did Schumi lose it when pushing beyond the limit? Not very often but it did happen... :)

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Now dont start invoking Schumcher here - in his first 50 races he was outqualified by his teammate only once.

Its not the mistakes I am referring to. It is his approach on track. There is not the calculating mind of Senna or Schumacher. Hamilton is like Villeneuve, there is only one track regardless of conclusion.

The Button - Hamilton partnership is less like Senna - Prost, but more like Villeneuve - Scheckter.

Of course racing is far safer today and that is good.

I'm not sure comparisons with other drivers are all that relevant, on reflection. Each is his own man. A driver may remind one of another, but that's pretty much as far as it goes.

Perhaps Lewis needs a car with longer wheelbase (like MS), then it will be easier to take the sharp turns in the pit entry.

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

Perhaps Lewis needs a car with longer wheelbase (like MS), then it will be easier to take the sharp turns in the pit entry.

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A shorter wheelbase will help with the pit entry, as it makes the car more nimble. One of the reasons why 'longer' cars are generally shyte at Monaco.

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

A shorter wheelbase will help with the pit entry, as it makes the car more nimble. One of the reasons why 'longer' cars are generally shyte at Monaco.

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Sorry, you are right. Perhaps Red Bull has a longer wheelbase than the MacLaren then.

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Originally Posted by henners88

I'm not sure it does actually. I remember seeing side profile comparisons during testing and the Red Bull was similar in length to the Mclaren. The Ferrari was shorter if I remember right which is the first time in recent years that its fallen behind Mclaren in length. That was the reason why the Mclaren had better speed at Monaco compared with its crimson rivals.. :)

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Interesting. Then we will see at Monaco then.

Perhaps MacLaren will develop a new chassi for that race and Hungary.

I´m still curious.