Lewis - focus on your driving and not your hype...
Discussion
First and foremost, this is not another thread to s
g off Lewis. I rate him as a bloody good driver, the only problem I have is the ass licking media, especially the ITV team who have stuck him on a pedistal that it seems even he is having trouble staying on.
Is it just me, or does he seem to have gone off the boil recently. Several silly mistakes are causing him to loose grasp of the championship this year. Without a shadow of doubt, he's bloody good, but I think the team around him are not managing his skills correctly. Some of the comments he comes out with are just wrong from someone who's only in his 2nd year. Even the likes of Senna or MS were not as 'mouthy' as some of the comments he's come out with.
Could it be to do with the people he mingles with outside of F1. To become a champion requires 100% commitment, and I just worry that some of the external factors - money/fame/girls - is taking it's tole on such a great talent.
Button went off the rails and I fear Lewis could do the same.
g off Lewis. I rate him as a bloody good driver, the only problem I have is the ass licking media, especially the ITV team who have stuck him on a pedistal that it seems even he is having trouble staying on.Is it just me, or does he seem to have gone off the boil recently. Several silly mistakes are causing him to loose grasp of the championship this year. Without a shadow of doubt, he's bloody good, but I think the team around him are not managing his skills correctly. Some of the comments he comes out with are just wrong from someone who's only in his 2nd year. Even the likes of Senna or MS were not as 'mouthy' as some of the comments he's come out with.
Could it be to do with the people he mingles with outside of F1. To become a champion requires 100% commitment, and I just worry that some of the external factors - money/fame/girls - is taking it's tole on such a great talent.
Button went off the rails and I fear Lewis could do the same.
I think he has become a bit petulant of late, which is a bit of a shame. He seems to set himself up for a fall with some of his comments e.g. coming from the back is the stuff of legends.
Perhaps the tension at McLaren last year was not all Alonso's fault after all.
I was musing over Hamilton's move to Switzerland the other day, and realised that Alonso resides in Oxford - so presumably will be paying UK taxes.
Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
Perhaps the tension at McLaren last year was not all Alonso's fault after all.
I was musing over Hamilton's move to Switzerland the other day, and realised that Alonso resides in Oxford - so presumably will be paying UK taxes.
Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
- Runs for cover* ; )
I am a total Lewis fan but I agree he is losing it at the moment.
Whilst I could have made a case against the penalty he got yesterday, the FACT is that the stewards decided he was guilty and he should just say "so be it, I have to get on with the rest of the season". Privately, someone should be telling to learn from these naive mistakes that have cost him, control himself better and he will become the champion in due course.
Instead he presents as sulky and petulant and seems to see conspiracies where none exist.
In another sport, the great Bjorn Borg won virtually nothing in his teens because he was always losing his rag with officials. His brilliant coach made him see that he would propser if he learned self-control - the rest is history. Lewis should so something similar.
Whilst I could have made a case against the penalty he got yesterday, the FACT is that the stewards decided he was guilty and he should just say "so be it, I have to get on with the rest of the season". Privately, someone should be telling to learn from these naive mistakes that have cost him, control himself better and he will become the champion in due course.
Instead he presents as sulky and petulant and seems to see conspiracies where none exist.
In another sport, the great Bjorn Borg won virtually nothing in his teens because he was always losing his rag with officials. His brilliant coach made him see that he would propser if he learned self-control - the rest is history. Lewis should so something similar.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
I think he has become a bit petulant of late, which is a bit of a shame. He seems to set himself up for a fall with some of his comments e.g. coming from the back is the stuff of legends.
Perhaps the tension at McLaren last year was not all Alonso's fault after all.
I was musing over Hamilton's move to Switzerland the other day, and realised that Alonso resides in Oxford - so presumably will be paying UK taxes.
Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
100% Spot ON. Did anyone say Brat at the back.Perhaps the tension at McLaren last year was not all Alonso's fault after all.
I was musing over Hamilton's move to Switzerland the other day, and realised that Alonso resides in Oxford - so presumably will be paying UK taxes.
Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
- Runs for cover* ; )
Ecurie Ecosse said:
He seems to set himself up for a fall with some of his comments e.g. coming from the back is the stuff of legends.
I'd agree. I'm sure he's said that because he remembers the races that he watched as a child that inspired him during his formative days, and as a bit of a throwaway comment to help his motivation. However, it was another comment that didn't play well in front of the camera. He doesn't look as polished on the track so far this year. I do, however, think he can pull it round. He has the support and the ability - as you say, he probably needs to focus on the driving: the countless s
tty ITV interviews and PR bks can only be a distraction.Ecurie Ecosse said:
Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were actually quite alike, which is probably why they fell out so badly. I'd agree that he needs careful, and strong, management at this stage of his career, and it's arguable that he's not currently getting it.
I chuckled at his comment in the pre-race interview where he said his tactic for the race start would be to take it easy.... I'm not sure he really knows how yet!
Still, better to start with a quick racer with some rough edges than, er, Ralph Schumacher...
I chuckled at his comment in the pre-race interview where he said his tactic for the race start would be to take it easy.... I'm not sure he really knows how yet!
Still, better to start with a quick racer with some rough edges than, er, Ralph Schumacher...
Jumping straight into McLaren in his first year/sudden rise in fame probably wasn't a good idea on hindsight.
The amount of PR crap he has to put up with is immense. You can see why Kimi is losing faith in F1 these days.
The amount of PR crap he has to put up with is immense. You can see why Kimi is losing faith in F1 these days.
superkartracer said:
Lewis is no Senna, did you ever hear Senna waffle on?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j6dGOGftY4Derek Smith said:
The heading of this thread is advice to LH to concentrate on his driving and not the press hype. Perhaps that what we should be doing. I can't see why the image he presents to the press is a bother to some. It's his driving that's important.
Whether we like it or not, the image he presents to the press is a lasting one that millions of young fans will pick up on. If people recognise petulance and and arrogance as a key trait of success then that would be unfortunate. In his position ( a very lucky one indeed ) he should be aware that his actions and comments can and will affect others, and as for his driving, well I am a fan but I just think he will continue to struggle under immense pressure. Well if he's to be the best ever, he has some work to do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_d...
Michael Schumacher
Looking at some of his stats, it's quite mind blowing really.
22 perfect races!
pole/win/fastest lap
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_d...
Michael Schumacher
Looking at some of his stats, it's quite mind blowing really.
22 perfect races!
pole/win/fastest lap
Ecurie Ecosse said:
I was musing over Hamilton's move to Switzerland the other day, and realised that Alonso resides in Oxford - so presumably will be paying UK taxes.
Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
I think you will find that Alonso bought a home in Switzerland in '06.Maybe Alonso is no such a bad lad after all.
He may still have access to a property in Oxfordshire, but he resides in CH.
Lewis does seem to be having a bit of brain fart at the moment.
Like I said in an earlier thread though, a year and a half ago no one* knew who he was and now everyone wants to be his friend and the national papers are filled with stories about him - that's got to mess with your head a bit, no one could be prepared for that, even if they knew it was coming.
How weird would it be if, all of a sudden, you couldn't go to your local supermarket to go get some bog roll for fear of a picture of you appearing in the next day's Sun with the caption, "Woah! Superkartracer needs a big poo!"?!
Sorry SKR, your username was the first that popped into my head.
In a way I think Alonso was right when he said, "[Hamilton's performance] this year is more normal" - since I'm not entirely convinced he meant, "this is what Hamilton's driving is really like", but was simply pointing out that everyone struggles a bit in F1, it's just that Lewis' 'rookie errors' appear to have been delayed by a year.
He does need to calm down a bit (on the track), but I can't see too much evidence that life off the track is taking away his edge. See below for an example of evidence of off track 'activities' blunting incredible on track potential.
Look at those man boobs.
Anyway, whatever happens, it's not like Lewis will be leaving the grid any time soon and, as for this season, lets see if he manages to pick himself up at the British GP. No pressure, mate.
Next season should be the year we see just how good all the driver really are.
No one = the general public.*
Like I said in an earlier thread though, a year and a half ago no one* knew who he was and now everyone wants to be his friend and the national papers are filled with stories about him - that's got to mess with your head a bit, no one could be prepared for that, even if they knew it was coming.
How weird would it be if, all of a sudden, you couldn't go to your local supermarket to go get some bog roll for fear of a picture of you appearing in the next day's Sun with the caption, "Woah! Superkartracer needs a big poo!"?!
Sorry SKR, your username was the first that popped into my head.
In a way I think Alonso was right when he said, "[Hamilton's performance] this year is more normal" - since I'm not entirely convinced he meant, "this is what Hamilton's driving is really like", but was simply pointing out that everyone struggles a bit in F1, it's just that Lewis' 'rookie errors' appear to have been delayed by a year.
He does need to calm down a bit (on the track), but I can't see too much evidence that life off the track is taking away his edge. See below for an example of evidence of off track 'activities' blunting incredible on track potential.
Look at those man boobs.
Anyway, whatever happens, it's not like Lewis will be leaving the grid any time soon and, as for this season, lets see if he manages to pick himself up at the British GP. No pressure, mate.
Next season should be the year we see just how good all the driver really are.
No one = the general public.*
Edited by MrKipling43 on Monday 23 June 16:13
superkartracer said:
Well if he's to be the best ever, he has some work to do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_d...
Michael Schumacher
Looking at some of his stats, it's quite mind blowing really.
22 perfect races!
pole/win/fastest lap
22 perfect races out of how many an dagainst what opposition? Not really a valid comparison.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_d...
Michael Schumacher
Looking at some of his stats, it's quite mind blowing really.
22 perfect races!
pole/win/fastest lap
Having said that, I think Lewis was trying too hard yesterday in the early stages. His confidence doesn't worry me at all though, and that is how I see it rather than arrogance.
andyps said:
superkartracer said:
Well if he's to be the best ever, he has some work to do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_d...
Michael Schumacher
Looking at some of his stats, it's quite mind blowing really.
22 perfect races!
pole/win/fastest lap
22 perfect races out of how many an dagainst what opposition? Not really a valid comparison.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_d...
Michael Schumacher
Looking at some of his stats, it's quite mind blowing really.
22 perfect races!
pole/win/fastest lap
Edited for typo.
Edited by E30M3SE on Monday 23 June 17:26
I can see the point of the OP. Lewis has had a wobbly start to the campaign but he is still only 10 points off the leadership.
If he gets his act together (which, lets face it, he surely can't make those silly errors again) he can be crowned world champion at the end of this season.
A bit more concentration during the races would be a good point to start.
If he gets his act together (which, lets face it, he surely can't make those silly errors again) he can be crowned world champion at the end of this season.
A bit more concentration during the races would be a good point to start.
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