Ahhh Lewis, why why why?

Frank Bullitt

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/lewis-hamilton-claims-to-be-sebastian-vettels-only-challenger-2288421.html

He needs to stop this chatter, it always comes back to bite him.

cadaliac

Maybe so but he isn't too far away from the truth. Realistically, no one else stands a chance the way things are going. Webber just isn't fast enough, although its a long way to go yet.

Frank Bullitt

OSI wrote: »

I take it you don't follow much sport no?

Smack talk is an integral part of any sport and just makes it even more entertaining.

And tbh, he's not exactly wrong. The only car that comes close to the Red Bull is the McLaren, and Button just isn't consistent enough lately.

Smack talk? this is F1, not WWE or boxing.

The article has that ring of the comment he made a couple of weeks ago saying Alonso was his Prost, making him Senna.

vectra

Lewis is not far wrong in his comments to be fair..
he is the Hunter and Vettel is the Hunted at the moment. I really don't see it any other way.. Do you?

Robbo

Classic Hubris Hamilton.

smooch71

OSI wrote: »

I take it you don't follow much sport no?

Smack talk is an integral part of any sport and just makes it even more entertaining.

And tbh, he's not exactly wrong. The only car that comes close to the Red Bull is the McLaren, and Button just isn't consistent enough lately.

Nothing to do with smack talk, the guy is just an arrogant unlikeable pr*ck

andyman

Once again, unnecessary defamatory comments on the F1 board.

What's wrong with what Lewis said? He's 100% right. There's one thing being arrogant but if you can back it up (like Lewis can) then I fail to see the issue...

Grim.

smooch71 wrote: »

Nothing to do with smack talk, the guy is just an arrogant unlikeable pr*ck

+1

Frank Bullitt

vectra wrote: »

Lewis is not far wrong in his comments to be fair..
he is the Hunter and Vettel is the Hunted at the moment. I really don't see it any other way.. Do you?

I see it as every driver chasing him, not just Lewis.

amacachi

Hamilton's Prost is a bit behind alright. :pac:

vectra

Gintonious wrote: »

I see it as every driver chasing him, not just Lewis.

LOL
As if most (IF NOT ALL ) Have any hope of catching him at the moment.
if you took the time to think about my post you would have read into that.

Lewis is best positioned to beat him.. he is snapping at Vettel's heels..Who else has done that this season?

amacachi

vectra wrote: »

LOL
As if most (IF NOT ALL ) Have any hope of catching him at the moment.
if you took the time to think about my post you would have read into that.

Lewis is best positioned to beat him.. he is snapping at Vettel's heels..Who else has done that this season?

I don't expect Hamilton to be as clear in 2nd place after this weekend as he is now. You can point to results or points and Hamilton doesn't look so far ahead of the rest where it matters.

EvilMonkey

vectra wrote: »

Lewis is best positioned to beat finish behind him.. he is snapping at Vettel's heels..Who else has done that this season?

FYP

He was only second last week because Ferrari got ahead of themselves and thought they were racing Red Bull and Alonso held Webber up. Vettel would have finished miles ahead and Webber would have been second if Alonso didn't have the amazing start. Last week he said he would be first by turn one and went backwards at the start! So we will see if he can back this weeks statement up on the track!

vectra

amacachi wrote: »

I don't expect Hamilton to be as clear in 2nd place after this weekend as he is now. You can point to results or points and Hamilton doesn't look so far ahead of the rest where it matters.

EvilMonkey wrote: »

FYP

He was only second last week because Ferrari got ahead of themselves and thought they were racing Red Bull and Alonso held Webber up. Vettel would have finished miles ahead and Webber would have been second if Alonso didn't have the amazing start. Last week he said he would be first by turn one and went backwards at the start! So we will see if he can back this weeks statement up on the track!

Guys
I dont know where you are looking but from where I am sitting looking at the races Hamilton is the only one (currently) able to challenge.

Like him or hate him.
I personally don't really like him but he is the hunter right now.

Lets see how this week and Canada turns out.

amacachi

I'm looking at the fact that he's only 10 ahead of Webber and 16 ahead of Button and is due a rush of blood in the next race or two.

EvilMonkey

Well from where i am sitting no one is able to challenge him, and Webber is the only one with a car to do it in right now. McLaren have a bit to go to give Hamilton a platform and Ferrari need to get their act together.

vectra

amacachi wrote: »

I'm looking at the fact that he's only 10 ahead of Webber and 16 ahead of Button and is due a rush of blood in the next race or two.

Titles have been won and lost with a 1 point difference.
That make 10 points look like Light years

But hey,
I am not defending Hamilton.
I am only saying what I am seeing.
The only challenger out there right now

amacachi

vectra wrote: »

Titles have been won and lost with a 1 point difference.
That make 10 points look like Light years

But hey,
I am not defending Hamilton.
I am only saying what I am seeing.
The only challenger out there right now

I am aware of how the points work, and that people have overturned such margins in the final race. My point is that it's more than possible that after this weekend Hamilton may not be the best of the monkeys at the back any more. Would he still be the only one who could chase Vettel then or would it be whoever happened to be second in the standings then.

EvilMonkey

vectra wrote: »

Titles have been won and lost with a 1 point difference.
That make 10 points look like Light years

IF 10 is light years what's 40+?

vectra

amacachi wrote: »

I am aware of how the points work, and that people have overturned such margins in the final race. My point is that it's more than possible that after this weekend Hamilton may not be the best of the monkeys at the back any more. Would he still be the only one who could chase Vettel then or would it be whoever happened to be second in the standings then.

While it is also possible that Vettel may lose out through a strategy error and Hamilton could win.
Where does that leave your theory?
Vettel is not invincible you know.
Nor is his car bulletproof.

EvilMonkey wrote: »

IF 10 is light years what's 40+?

Old ??

amacachi

vectra wrote: »

While it is also possible that Vettel may lose out through a strategy error and Hamilton could win.
Where does that leave your theory?
Vettel is not invincible you know.
Nor is his car bulletproof.

Pretty much intact since that's my point, that he isn't the only one in with a chance of challenging. Well, IF he can challenge then there's 2-3 others who can as well because it's still close behind Vettel.

vectra

amacachi wrote: »

Pretty much intact since that's my point, that he isn't the only one in with a chance of challenging. Well, IF he can challenge then there's 2-3 others who can as well because it's still close behind Vettel.

But as I said.
Hamilton is the only one putting up a challenge at the moment.
Webber has the same equipment as Vettel.. Why is he not running 1st or 2nd?

LIGHTNING wrote: »

People talk about Hamilton's ability to overtake but sure didn't he DNF two weekends in a row last season? If he bins it then his 2nd position wont look too strong!

Very true
As did Vettel take out Webber last season which was a DNF through his own error.


So, Anything can and possibly will happen.
But as I have already said..Hamilton is being the hunter at present. I know they are all chasing but none as close as Hamilton..

EvilMonkey

Wasn't able to handle the pressure of a single lap run

Ghost Train

EvilMonkey wrote: »

Wasn't able to handle the pressure of a single lap run

His interview after explained it though...

Apparently he said the team let him down

amacachi

I am sure that Sebastian (Vettel) will walk away with it - it’s as simple as that

Another reason to hope Button wins tomorrow :pac:

James Hunt

I've always considered Lewis to be bizarrely immature; but a brilliant steering wheel attendant at the same time.

He'll never keep up with his mouth, but it's great watching him try, genuinely.

Top racer, but not the only challenger to Vettel.

Joeyjoejoe83

Ficus wrote: »

Absolute classic lewis here, dont blame me trick.
The team, infact any F1 team spend millions on the best personal, would regularly do 18 hour days traveling all over the globe and being away from their family for near half the year. And to blame everything on them, well i guess that smacks or arrogance and i dont think it will be too long until they tire of his antics, i know i have.

Yeah but let's not complicate things here, the car isn't as fast as the red bulls, the drivers have little input now due to testing restrictions,in fact their input in pre season testing probably helped turn what was looking like a complete dog into a front runner...you have to say the car not matching the red bull is the teams fault,but in fairness, red bull are in another league in quali,I see that gone with the new exhaust heating restrictions and the mclaren fightback will begin!

Joeyjoejoe83

smooch71 wrote: »

Nothing to do with smack talk, the guy is just an arrogant unlikeable pr*ck

All the greats are, Hamilton,Vettel,schumi,alonso.

The almost greats-webber,jenson,barrichello,dc.

To succeed in f1, you have to be selfish, arrogant and a c*ck.

amacachi

Joeyjoejoe83 wrote: »

Yeah but let's not complicate things here, the car isn't as fast as the red bulls, the drivers have little input now due to testing restrictions,in fact their input in pre season testing probably helped turn what was looking like a complete dog into a front runner...you have to say the car not matching the red bull is the teams fault,but in fairness, red bull are in another league in quali,I see that gone with the new exhaust heating restrictions and the mclaren fightback will begin!

I may be completely wrong here but I don't get the impression with Vettel nor Hamilton that they're great developers. I used to think Alfonso was but he's taking his time with Ferrari. :pac:

Joeyjoejoe83 wrote: »

All the greats are, Hamilton,Vettel,schumi,alonso.

The almost greats-webber,jenson,barrichello,dc.

To succeed in f1, you have to be selfish, arrogant and a c*ck.

I know I sound like a broken record here but I would have Button pretty close to Hamilton over the last couple of years especially and I certainly wouldn't put Button in the same group as Barrichello. Rubens spent years as a whipping boy for Schumacher, got very well beaten by Button and this year a rookie is keeping up with him no problem.
Also while I'll admit (and insist) that whoever wins the drivers' championship deserves it each year, last year there was so little between the top 5 that I don't see how someone could say any of them are at a different level to each other. While Button finished 5th, he and Hamilton were more evenly matched than the standings suggested. If in Belgium for example had Vettel not had a brain fart the top 4 stayed as they were there would have been just 3 points seperating them. It's a lot of "if"'s I admit, but I honestly don't see why Button isn't thought of in that top bracket of drivers at the moment.


Anyway, even though it would go against a lot of what I've said over the last while, I wouldn't mind seeing Hamilton do well today. Firstly it's important for keeping the championship close and secondly I'm looking forward to seeing how the strategy pans out today.

vectra

amacachi wrote: »

Anyway, even though it would go against a lot of what I've said over the last while, I wouldn't mind seeing Hamilton do well today. Firstly it's important for keeping the championship close and secondly I'm looking forward to seeing how the strategy pans out today.

I'm with you there :cool:

Pauleta

He is Vettel's only rival this year. What do people prefer? false modesty or honesty

Tea 1000

Pauleta wrote: »

He is Vettel's only rival this year. What do people prefer? false modesty or honesty

Don't mind honesty, but everything is someone's fault with him. "Massa steered into me on purpose" "why did ye (the team) ruin my qualifying/race?" "who made that dreadful call?" *waves fist at driver who won't stop and wave him by*.
Shut your face and get on with it, that's my message to him.
All this BS in every interview "I'm the only one who pushes the team, I'm always pushing them... saying when is this ready or I need that for this race"... If I worked for McLaren I'd tell the gobsh!te to f**k off, it'll be ready when it's ready, I work for Whitmarsh, not you.

Grim.

lol at this interveiw on bbc proves how big a knob he is

robinph

Hamilton is pissed off: "Maybe it's coz I is black?"

Tea 1000

Yep, this interview rams home my point! Everyone else's fault but his.

amacachi

Pauleta wrote: »

He is Vettel's only rival this year. What do people prefer? false modesty or honesty

I'd prefer if he'd shut up and do what he seems to think he can do.

mickdw

Joeyjoejoe83 wrote: »

To succeed in f1, you have to be selfish, arrogant and a c*ck.

I agree to a point but the way hamilton pins all the mistakes publically on the team is sickening to be honest. Who made that call etc as if he is personally going to have them sacked. Thats no way for a millionaire driver to be behaving towards hard working team members.

Schmacher at his most arrogant Im sure was prettyforceful behind closed doors but I think he had the sense to know that everyone is trying their best and when something turns out to be a wrong call, you have to live with it.

Why doesnt hamilton make the call if he can see that they are making a clearly stupid call?

Frank Bullitt

The only joke i could see today was his driving, might as well have been throwing his toys out of the pram.

mickdw

robinph wrote: »

Hamilton is pissed off: "Maybe it's coz I is black?"

Ive no red button today. I thought you were joking with the black comment.

Ficus wrote: »

All you ever wanted to know about lewis is in this interview in my opinion.

What a f*cking prize dick. Personally, I think he should be ****ed out of the team. Nobody else could use that black comment and I think for him to say that is disgusting. He should be ashamed of himself this evening. Good interview, she kept drawing him, knowing he was talking himself deeper into ****. Then making his own team out to be amatuers when Im sure there is mre to it that he says.

amacachi

mickdw wrote: »

Ive no red button today. I thought you were joking with the black comment.

It was meant as a sarcastic comment but I don't think there's any place for that kind of stuff. He'll probably get another reprimand along with the one he already has and possibly another.

Sheeps

Jesus, he was joking. Some people just love to hate Lewis.

G-Money

I liked the interview. It's great to see the drivers speak their mind.

There are those who dislike Lewis and will take whatever he says and use it as ammunition against him, good or bad.

robinph

Sheeps wrote: »

Jesus, he was joking. Some people just love to hate Lewis.

Yep, he was definitely joking. That is not how that line will now be re-spun though.

He was a bit "fighty" today as Brundle would put it. But was it really much different to what DiResta was doing, or Schumaker, or Massa was about to do on Webber when Hamilton did the same to Massa?

rua1972

I ROFL watching his interview with Lee. His overtaking moves were a bit optimistic to say the least, so why blame the other driver?
I can stand him a lot better since his WC. But if it's not going your way you have to accept it a get on to the next race. Not put the blame on everyone else.

ger.taxi

hi
being following f1 for many years now, i remember f1 cars in the park, so i see it from another point off veiw, lewis made a mistake today, going into the hairpin? sometimes one has to take stock? and wait his turn, it was plain to all he tried to bully massa?

as far as his comments go, well it is not doing his image any good, he is a super driver but at the monent his quest to get the title is fading, he needs to relax and focus , and not to be in such a rush, pulling the racist card will not do his image anygood?

he needs to relise the sport is bigger than him??

cheers
gerry

Ghost Train

Hamilton has gone and "made peace" with the stewards after what he said in the earlier interview

Lewis Hamilton has "made peace" with the Monaco stewards after launching a blistering attack against them in the wake of a penalty-hit race.

Hamilton received two drive-through penalties relating to separate incidents with Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado in his Williams.

Immediately after the race, after a visit to the stewards regarding the crash with Maldonado, Hamilton vented his emotions as he said: "It's an absolute frickin' joke.

"I've been to see the stewards five times out of six this season."

Asked as to why he felt the stewards, with British sportscar driver Allan McNish on the four-man panel, were picking on him, Hamilton retorted: "Maybe it's because I'm black."

Hamilton then added, as if to make light of his previous remark: "That's what Ali G says", referring to the fictional television character portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen.

However, in an attempt to ensure the racial reference was not blown out of proportion, and as McLaren attempted damage limitation, the 26-year-old opted to revisit the stewards to clear the air.

Hamilton said: "I've been to the stewards to make peace.

"What I said was a bit of a joke, which wasn't funny at the time.

"I made them aware that when emotions are high, and it's very intense at the end of those kind of races, you don't always say the right thing, and the joke didn't come at the most appropriate time.

"So I went there, made that clear to them, we've made our peace.

"They accepted my explanation, they understood. They said: 'We've all competed before and we understand the passion, where you are coming from'.

"They said that the sports they've been in, they've been angry at referees or said things they didn't mean, so they understood it.

"We all shook hands afterwards. They said it was a tough weekend, let's move on, and they all wished me well for the season."

By way of further explanation, Hamilton added: "I'm passionate. I drove my heart out.

"The weekend was tough. It started out perfectly, and I finished the race, but only just.

"I feel like I've had everything thrown at me, and I've managed to catch it and deal with it the best I could."

Motor sport's world governing body, the FIA, could have opted to have hit Hamilton with a charge of bringing the sport into disrepute.

That will not now be the case as Hamilton added: "They said at the end that they would make sure other people in the FIA understand.

"They said that for anybody who has heard it and misunderstood, that they'll clarify it with them and it won't go any further than the meeting room."

Asked whether he wished he had never made the racial accusation, Hamilton added: "Should I have said it, should I not?

"Like I said I was trying to be funny, but it wasn't funny. You're not always right when you're trying to be funny.

"Sometimes you really put your foot in it and you offend people, and I did not really set out to offend anyone. It was said at the wrong time."

Hamilton's first penalty, for causing a collision with Massa as he made an attempt to pass on the inside at Loews Hairpin, saw the McLaren ace relegated two places from seventh to ninth at the time.

The second, which came as Maldonado manoeuvred around the outside at the first corner Ste Devote and resulted in the Venezuelan rookie crashing into a barrier, was served retrospectively after the race.

Twenty seconds were added to Hamilton's elapsed time, although it made no difference to his finishing position of sixth.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/6958735/Hamilton-clears-the-air-with-stewards

blackdog2

I don't particularly care about the humour aspect of his comments, but his team comments yesterday, then the stewards/other drivers comments today, make me think that he should make a move to booking a track for himself to have fun on(Though he would probably blame the barrier for jumping out in front of him :P)

On a more serious note, he is running out of people to blame. The team must be getting tired of this, will he make a move to join Alonso in a Ferrari?

Ghost Train

Trouble is last week he has great race, still the only driver other than Vettel to win a race this year, just had a bad weekend and needs to be a bit smarter about how he deals with bad results. With strategy playing a bigger roll this year very easy for team to get caught out with tyre management

blackdog2

LIGHTNING wrote: »

And be Alonso`s teammate again? No chance!

Actually, lets hope not. Would love for Schumi to beat him to the championship in equal machinery before being put out to stud

one can only dream....

ratedR

The more I've watched this and read about it, and I kinda hate myself for this, I kinda respect Hamilton..

Vettel running away with the championship is CLEARLY pi$$ing him off, like its pi$$ing the rest of us off. Himself, and probably Alonso if the Ferrari is working well are the only drivers (in my opinion) that can catch Vettel. He's getting annoyed that 6 races in, the championship is all but wrapped up.

Hamilton is an agressive driver. To pharaphrase Senna, he's goes for the gap. Yeah his moves on Moldonado and Massa were questionable. But it's nice to see him fighting, and then wearing his heart on his sleeve afterwards. I'm sure on reflection he regretted saying most of it to the World. But to be fair, racing drivers always have an excuse, and very rarely take the blame unless it was 100% obvious that it was their fault. He does need to stop blaming everyone though.

The "because I is black" comment made me chuckle. Lets be honest, he's about as black as Sacha Barron Cohen. He's a wannabe gangster. Read his tweets in comparison to how he speaks when he's on Vodafone McLaren Mercedes time to see what I mean. It was a silly joke though. Humour obviously isnt his strong point. He really wasnt playing the race card.

I do admire his passion. He wants to win so badly. Of course when he starts to win again I'll start hating him. But thats the norm in F1, right ?

amacachi

For a big man he's got a great touch... for a big man. :pac: