Lewis Hamilton
Discussion
Great Dane said:
says he is unmoved by Le Mans... says it all really about him. I have voted with my feet and wallet.... as has hundreds of thousands of others.... 263.000 was at Le Mans
So what...not everyone has to enjoy every form of racing. He's gone from karting to single seaters and isn't bothered with endurance racing...I sure he's also not bothered about rallying either.They'll still be 140,000 at silverstone in a few weeks cheering him on.
London424 said:
So what...not everyone has to enjoy every form of racing. He's gone from karting to single seaters and isn't bothered with endurance racing...I sure he's also not bothered about rallying either.
They'll still be 140,000 at silverstone in a few weeks cheering him on.
I was there many years - more fool themThey'll still be 140,000 at silverstone in a few weeks cheering him on.
He is obviously lacking in this department ;-)
Edited by Great Dane on Thursday 18th June 23:35
williamp said:
Moss wasnt a fan, neither was Stewart. Senna and Prost werent either
Moss never won, but he did race at Le Mans throughout the 50's and into the 60's. Jackie Stewart had every reason to be wary after his brother's '54 accident. But I believe he did race there in his early career. Senna tried a Pescarolo Porsche in '84, but apparently found it too slow.I'm slightly surprised by Hamilton's quotes as reported by Autosport -
Hamilton said:
"I didn't watch it," Hamilton said. "I don't honestly think I've ever seen Le Mans.
"It's not something I've ever particularly been interested in.
"Naturally I love cars but it's not been something I've ever wanted to do, and don't plan to."
Given that he was such a fan of Senna, who was in turn a fan of Clark, you might think that he and his hero would be keen to compete in anything they could get their hands on. However any crossover between Sportscars and F1 has been effectively severed since the 70's. Despite McLaren winning in '95, F1 and single seaters will have been his entire focus as a Karting prodigy, and whilst the lead competition at Le Mans has been exciting in recent years, it arguably wasn't during Hamilton's teenage years."It's not something I've ever particularly been interested in.
"Naturally I love cars but it's not been something I've ever wanted to do, and don't plan to."
Probably being as honest as he can be, taking into account the cocoon that most F1 drivers live in.
The likes of Clark, Hill, Fangio, Moss etc. raced because they loved the challenge and the difference between classes. With odd exceptions (Räikkönen?) the F1 drivers of today can only seem to pedal one thing at a time, which is their loss, of course, but they are insular and blinkered.
For me, F1 is very much on the down slope (numerous reasons why.....) with endurance racing very much on the up & long may that continue!
The likes of Clark, Hill, Fangio, Moss etc. raced because they loved the challenge and the difference between classes. With odd exceptions (Räikkönen?) the F1 drivers of today can only seem to pedal one thing at a time, which is their loss, of course, but they are insular and blinkered.
For me, F1 is very much on the down slope (numerous reasons why.....) with endurance racing very much on the up & long may that continue!
I've watched most forms of Motorsport at some point. Some I enjoyed, others I didn't watch again. But even stuff I'm not an avid follower of I still have a general interest.
Anyone with any petrol running through their veins must surely have even a little interest in Le Mans regardless of whether they are endurance fans, just purely from the history of the place and it's standing as one of, if not the biggest race in the world.
To just dismiss it and even sound surprised it exists having never seen any of it just sounds odd from a motor racing driver.
I personally feel Le Mans makes other formulas look a bit weak now. 1.5hrs into the race and the F1 crowd have packed up their race. The driving and mechanical skills required are so impressive. I think the cars look better also.
I've watch every single F1 race since 1993 and probably discovered Le Mans in 95-96 and been going every year since 2003. I'd have to make a choice annually between either attending an F1 race or going to Le Mans. Le Mans wins hands down.
I don't care if he doesn't want to race there, but the surprise it even exists just smacks of arrogance. Not an unusual trait from him. But then I do find him incredibly unlikable.
Anyone with any petrol running through their veins must surely have even a little interest in Le Mans regardless of whether they are endurance fans, just purely from the history of the place and it's standing as one of, if not the biggest race in the world.
To just dismiss it and even sound surprised it exists having never seen any of it just sounds odd from a motor racing driver.
I personally feel Le Mans makes other formulas look a bit weak now. 1.5hrs into the race and the F1 crowd have packed up their race. The driving and mechanical skills required are so impressive. I think the cars look better also.
I've watch every single F1 race since 1993 and probably discovered Le Mans in 95-96 and been going every year since 2003. I'd have to make a choice annually between either attending an F1 race or going to Le Mans. Le Mans wins hands down.
I don't care if he doesn't want to race there, but the surprise it even exists just smacks of arrogance. Not an unusual trait from him. But then I do find him incredibly unlikable.
I wonder if the top racers feel they have little to prove, and Le Mans isn't going to change that?
I also do recall Jean Alesi stating he wouldn't want to do Le Mans because he didn't like the speed differences between the classes - and that was a while back when he said that, the speed differences are bigger now, what with the hybrids having that extra power coming off the corners.
The LMP1s are f
king impressive bits of kit though, so I would have thought anyone with petrol in their veins would want to have a go in one. I'd have thought the format would suit a Button...
I also do recall Jean Alesi stating he wouldn't want to do Le Mans because he didn't like the speed differences between the classes - and that was a while back when he said that, the speed differences are bigger now, what with the hybrids having that extra power coming off the corners.
The LMP1s are f
king impressive bits of kit though, so I would have thought anyone with petrol in their veins would want to have a go in one. I'd have thought the format would suit a Button...Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff