Hamilton's dalliance with 'pop culture'. Good or bad?
Discussion
I feel like Lewis seems to cop a lot of flak on here (and elsewhere) for his decision to spend his free time with "gangster rappers" (quoting verbatim), and the fact that he has a very different fashion sense to others on the grid.
Of all the things to criticise a sportsperson for, this always feels very odd to me, but it surfaces pretty frequently in the many pro-/anti-Hamilton threads.
What is it that annoys people so much about it? I don't drink bottles of Crystal or wear lots of gold jewellery, but I struggle to get wound up by what drivers do away from the track.
Would you prefer that he wore tweed, drove a Bristol and spent his weekends shooting grouse in the English countryside?
There's a huge gulf of personality on the current F1 grid. It all feels very sterile at times, with one or two exceptions. Would you prefer it if he just kept his head down and blended in?
Ultimately the guy is a young sports superstar, with plenty of cash. Why wouldn't he want to try and be a bit 'individual'? Objectively, I think he's far less 'flash' than many other sportsmen with similar profiles (look at footballers and many American sports stars).
Beyond this, he's almost an ethnic minority idol, representing someone who has broken into a sport traditionally dominated by middle-/upper-class, white guys. Perhaps this is why his personality stands out so much in F1, in a way that it might otherwise go unnoticed in other sports.
Personally, I feel F1 is a lot richer for a bit of diversity (not just the ethnic kind), and could never begrudge a young guy who appears to genuinely enjoy his life.
Of all the things to criticise a sportsperson for, this always feels very odd to me, but it surfaces pretty frequently in the many pro-/anti-Hamilton threads.
What is it that annoys people so much about it? I don't drink bottles of Crystal or wear lots of gold jewellery, but I struggle to get wound up by what drivers do away from the track.
Would you prefer that he wore tweed, drove a Bristol and spent his weekends shooting grouse in the English countryside?
There's a huge gulf of personality on the current F1 grid. It all feels very sterile at times, with one or two exceptions. Would you prefer it if he just kept his head down and blended in?
Ultimately the guy is a young sports superstar, with plenty of cash. Why wouldn't he want to try and be a bit 'individual'? Objectively, I think he's far less 'flash' than many other sportsmen with similar profiles (look at footballers and many American sports stars).
Beyond this, he's almost an ethnic minority idol, representing someone who has broken into a sport traditionally dominated by middle-/upper-class, white guys. Perhaps this is why his personality stands out so much in F1, in a way that it might otherwise go unnoticed in other sports.
Personally, I feel F1 is a lot richer for a bit of diversity (not just the ethnic kind), and could never begrudge a young guy who appears to genuinely enjoy his life.
I definitely couldn't give a crap what he does off track...if I had his money at his age I'd have been a total dick and made many mistakes and probably blown it all. 
I always think considering the media scrutiny etc he's under he does not too badly as he seems quite a humble chap and well liked by the team he's working with... but I've no idea if that's true as I don't work closely with him or the team. Just my perception.
Plus he probably can't hear any fashion/lifestyle critics over the sound of his massive bank balance and doesn't really care.
I always think considering the media scrutiny etc he's under he does not too badly as he seems quite a humble chap and well liked by the team he's working with... but I've no idea if that's true as I don't work closely with him or the team. Just my perception.
Plus he probably can't hear any fashion/lifestyle critics over the sound of his massive bank balance and doesn't really care.
What does Mark Webber do outside the car?
Damned if I know because he doesn't invite us in to that bit of his life. Therefore I don't go and find out, and don't judge his choices.
What does Lewis Hamilton do outside the car?
Well I can't avoid that, he's a prestitute and doing a great job of it. As such I'll judge him on what he pushes in front of the press/me when he's out of the car.
Judgement: When he's out of the car, the guy is a muppet/mong/arse and someone I would probably avoid at a social gathering. The culture (gangsta/kardasian/rapper init), he aspires too and promotes is all part of what's worst in the western world.
He is however a cracking F1 driver when he's in the car.
Damned if I know because he doesn't invite us in to that bit of his life. Therefore I don't go and find out, and don't judge his choices.
What does Lewis Hamilton do outside the car?
Well I can't avoid that, he's a prestitute and doing a great job of it. As such I'll judge him on what he pushes in front of the press/me when he's out of the car.
Judgement: When he's out of the car, the guy is a muppet/mong/arse and someone I would probably avoid at a social gathering. The culture (gangsta/kardasian/rapper init), he aspires too and promotes is all part of what's worst in the western world.
He is however a cracking F1 driver when he's in the car.
Hamilton is young I guess, so I don't really expect to get his actions off track. I also understand the need for his self belief, in order to drive the way he does, although I don't like the arrogant side of him. The recent comment about being much happier at world champ, in order to snipe at Rosberg, being a case in point. His need to mimic Pharrell Williams in the way he dresses, the yellow bleached hair and that awful gold chain are all things he'll probably squirm about in later life. I know this, as I was his age in the era of leg warmers, hanging belts and wedge cuts!
KarlMac said:
e21Mark said:
Hamilton is young I guess,
He's 30.Didn't we see this at Mclaren? Hits own personal target (winning the WDC) then got destracted and went off the boil?
e21Mark said:
KarlMac said:
e21Mark said:
Hamilton is young I guess,
He's 30.Didn't we see this at Mclaren? Hits own personal target (winning the WDC) then got destracted and went off the boil?
I have nothing against his lifestyle. However I do think recently his head is more concerned with the superstar "lifestyle" (his music, parties, being seen in selfies with other celebs etc) and not in the game of being the best F1 driver out there. Whereas I think Roserg is on a quest to get a WDC and that is all he is focused on - if I was a betting man I'd put money on that Hamilton has won his last WDC.
I don't really care either way - if I had his money I dread to think what sort of insufferable t
t I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.
What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
t I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Munter said:
What does Lewis Hamilton do outside the car?
Well I can't avoid that, he's a prestitute and doing a great job of it. As such I'll judge him on what he pushes in front of the press/me when he's out of the car.
This is a bit odd, for me. How do you find it "unavoidable"? Surely if you avoid the gutter press and don't follow him on social media, it would be easy to avoid the majority.Well I can't avoid that, he's a prestitute and doing a great job of it. As such I'll judge him on what he pushes in front of the press/me when he's out of the car.
I rather like my sportsmen to have a personality, and the current F1 grid is a dearth of such characters. Shouldn't we applaud someone for breaking the mould a little?
oyster said:
I do find it odd how the likes of Hunt are revered for their partying yet Hamilton is pilloried. And I dare say Lewis is almost entirely sober when he's out partying.
I can't help but think the issue isn't with the partying, but with the 'ethnic' element of the partying.
I suspect there's an element of truth to this, sadly. Eddie Irvine was a well-renowned party animal, and never had anything like the talent/success of Hamilton, yet he doesn't attract anything like the spite that Lewis does.I can't help but think the issue isn't with the partying, but with the 'ethnic' element of the partying.
GreigM said:
I have nothing against his lifestyle. However I do think recently his head is more concerned with the superstar "lifestyle" (his music, parties, being seen in selfies with other celebs etc) and not in the game of being the best F1 driver out there. Whereas I think Roserg is on a quest to get a WDC and that is all he is focused on
This is the oddest piece of analysis in the entire thread, for me. Hamilton is more successful than 99.9% of F1 drivers ever, and has never been beaten by Rosberg in the WDC. If he's still achieving this, in spite of his "lifestyle", surely that should be something to celebrate?Years before the arrival of Hamilton in F1, I think it was Ron Dennis who spoke about the difficulty of managing sports stars who are enjoying 'delayed adolescence'. As teenagers they have the discipline of professional athletes, focused on reaching the top of their sport. By their mid-20s they've achieved everything they ever wanted, but haven't done all the stupid things that are part of growing up. So the world watches as they behave like immature kids with lots of money, which is what they are.
Vettel might not share Hamilton's fashion sense, but he went through a period when he thought it was amusing to swear during the live podium interviews. When Alonso was winning world championships, he accused his team of trying to sabotage him, like a kid who's parents have given him everything they reasonably can, then shouting 'it's not fair' when things don't go his way.
Is his profile good or bad for the sport? I don't know. I care nothing for social media, and don't hear much about what he gets upto between races (they don't really cover celeb lifestyles on Radio4). However I think those with a commercial interest in the sport (Bernie) would much rather a high profile 'Marmite' character, rather than a World Champion who disappears into his private life between races.
Vettel might not share Hamilton's fashion sense, but he went through a period when he thought it was amusing to swear during the live podium interviews. When Alonso was winning world championships, he accused his team of trying to sabotage him, like a kid who's parents have given him everything they reasonably can, then shouting 'it's not fair' when things don't go his way.
Is his profile good or bad for the sport? I don't know. I care nothing for social media, and don't hear much about what he gets upto between races (they don't really cover celeb lifestyles on Radio4). However I think those with a commercial interest in the sport (Bernie) would much rather a high profile 'Marmite' character, rather than a World Champion who disappears into his private life between races.
James19181 said:
I don't really care either way - if I had his money I dread to think what sort of insufferable tt I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.
What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Agree; to me it comes across as false as if he is doing what he does and dresses like he does because "this is what you do as a famous young black man to be cool and current", whenever I see photos of him dressed as he dresses, at the places where he hangs out and with the people that he hangs out with, he just look plain awkward.t I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
HTP99 said:
James19181 said:
I don't really care either way - if I had his money I dread to think what sort of insufferable tt I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.
What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Agree; to me it comes across as false as if he is doing what he does and dresses like he does because "this is what you do as a famous young black man to be cool and current", whenever I see photos of him dressed as he dresses, at the places where he hangs out and with the people that he hangs out with, he just look plain awkward.t I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Or, just maybe, they might actually enjoy it...
C70R said:
HTP99 said:
James19181 said:
I don't really care either way - if I had his money I dread to think what sort of insufferable tt I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.
What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Agree; to me it comes across as false as if he is doing what he does and dresses like he does because "this is what you do as a famous young black man to be cool and current", whenever I see photos of him dressed as he dresses, at the places where he hangs out and with the people that he hangs out with, he just look plain awkward.t I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Or, just maybe, they might actually enjoy it...
HTP99 said:
C70R said:
HTP99 said:
James19181 said:
I don't really care either way - if I had his money I dread to think what sort of insufferable tt I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.
What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Agree; to me it comes across as false as if he is doing what he does and dresses like he does because "this is what you do as a famous young black man to be cool and current", whenever I see photos of him dressed as he dresses, at the places where he hangs out and with the people that he hangs out with, he just look plain awkward.t I'd be. I'm bad enough anyway.What I think people don't really like, myself included, and where he differs from the likes of Hunt, is that it all seems incredibly forced. It doesn't seem to come naturally to him, and seems like he's putting on an act. Hunt's attitude meant you saw more of person behind the driver, it seems the opposite with Hamilton, and that everything he does that is in the public attention has a thick veneer of PR on it, trying to convey an image on him that I'm not sure really is him. It also means it's hard to know what he's actually like as a person, so while I don't 'dislike' him, it's very difficult to like him.
Or, just maybe, they might actually enjoy it...
C70R said:
What is it that annoys people so much about it?
Bad taste. It's like having to look at graffiti as you drive through a beautiful place. Talented drivers have thus far been above such crap and not tainted by the mental narcissistic malady of submission to the demands of fashion.
It's time the lad stopped fannying around like a tart and came to his senses.
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