Quote Originally Posted by jens View Post
You raise an interesting point. Regardless of how much greater the expectations on Hamilton are compared to his team-mates, I never expect him to dominate his team-mates. Be it Button or Rosberg. Whatever it is, it is always close in points and will most probably remain to be so. A Schumacher v Barrichello/Irvine or Alonso v Massa/Räikkönen situation never seems likely, so that already after half a year it is clear, who comes out on top.

Guess that's what Hamilton is. "Looks" supremely fast, "seems" unlucky, but that's the way he is as a driver - regardless of reasons close combats with team-mates.

I think this shows that there is more to being a "complete driver" than we can see based on just looking things. Hamilton looks fast, but look at Schumacher, who built an entire team and even era around himself. Again some people say that's lucky, but IMO there is more to it. It is an additional skill/talent/workaholism (some even say politics) off the track, that in addition to speed you build the other factors in favour of yourself as well - so that you truly dominate.

That's why some of the great drivers get bashed - people say that they were just favoured, lucky, teams revolving around them. But to me this is an additional effort, skills, traits in character in addition to on-track racing. Attention to detail that you make sure everything works in favour of you.

I believe Alesi was a bit of Hamilton - fast, entertaining, but never got the results his talent "deserved". It is very hard work to maximize the potential of your talent. Just being fast and an entertaining driver with lots of overtakes isn't enough. So Alesi-Berger was a bit like Hamilton-Button/Rosberg. Pretty close throughout the years.

To truly dominate you need everything to go in favour of you. And it doesn't come automatically, it needs huge effort. That's why Vettel's 4 WDCs are still in high regard for me, despite people now downplaying him. Whatever it was, he made sure everything worked for him.
I can't say I agree with much of that. The examples you give of Schumacher etc are totally different situations and eras. Michael didn't build a team around himself, he had a team that gelled well for a number of reasons. He was also a cheat who all too often played the political game regardless of the damage to his legacy. He was the best driver of his generation and I felt he could have done things so much cleaner.

I always expect Hamilton to dominate his team mates and has usually done this, especially in F1. The only season where he was beaten on points was 2011 and the following season he demonstrated his talent when on form. Comparing Lewis with serial underachievers like Alesi and Berger is rather insulting, especially when they are compared to a world champion!

For a guy who has had such bad luck, a number of DNF's, and some dodgy decisions go away from his favour, he's second in the championship and only 11 points behind his team mate. For me he's put the doubters to bed this season even if they can't admit it.