When is a rookie not a rookie?
Discussion
Before I start, I feel I need to make it clear that the following is not meant to be another thread that allows the two camps (Lewis v Alonso) to start invading another thread with their childish 'you said this' and 'I said that' which is now very boring to read.
I like Lewis's performances on the track this season, however the media seem to always mention that he's a rookie.
Correct me if wrong (never one to think I'm perfect!) but I would have said that a rookie is someone who's worked their way up the career ladder, been spotted performing well in the lower ranks and maybe even won the odd title to boot. A couple of years in F2 and bobs-your-uncle they bag a drive with an F1 team. Some might go straight to racing, others might do a years testing and be a standby, with the chance they could make the grade if their No.1 or No.2 drivers is out due to injury. The rookie takes a season to settle in, get to know the team and how it works, might get fazed by all the press and pr work etc etc but eventually adapts to his/her new environment.
From where I'm sitting, Lewis is not a rookie. Yes until this year he had not raced in F1, but he's been signed up to McLaren long before his balls dropped (and from some of the driving this year - boy they are big
). He's known his team for many many years, done a lot of PR work and always had a high profile. I bet he's done countless hours in McLaren's state of the art simulator (not using ferrari data of course 
) and was well and truly plugged into the workings of McLaren before the season started.
My point is, this is not about his driving, it's about how the press continue to throw the 'rookie' badge on him, when clearly he is more than above that already...
I like Lewis's performances on the track this season, however the media seem to always mention that he's a rookie.
Correct me if wrong (never one to think I'm perfect!) but I would have said that a rookie is someone who's worked their way up the career ladder, been spotted performing well in the lower ranks and maybe even won the odd title to boot. A couple of years in F2 and bobs-your-uncle they bag a drive with an F1 team. Some might go straight to racing, others might do a years testing and be a standby, with the chance they could make the grade if their No.1 or No.2 drivers is out due to injury. The rookie takes a season to settle in, get to know the team and how it works, might get fazed by all the press and pr work etc etc but eventually adapts to his/her new environment.
From where I'm sitting, Lewis is not a rookie. Yes until this year he had not raced in F1, but he's been signed up to McLaren long before his balls dropped (and from some of the driving this year - boy they are big
). He's known his team for many many years, done a lot of PR work and always had a high profile. I bet he's done countless hours in McLaren's state of the art simulator (not using ferrari data of course ) and was well and truly plugged into the workings of McLaren before the season started.My point is, this is not about his driving, it's about how the press continue to throw the 'rookie' badge on him, when clearly he is more than above that already...
Edited by motormania on Friday 12th October 13:52
The accepted definition of a Rookie is someone in their fist year in any particular category so far as I am concerned.
Take Our Nige ™ in Indycar in 1993. He was won the title and damn near won the Indy 500 but was still regarded as a Rookie, indeed he had to pass the Rookie trials at Indy before he was even allowed to take part in qualifying.
J-PM in NASCAR is in his Rookie season there, likewise JV next year.
LH may well have been one of the best prepared Rookies of all time (don’t forget JV was testing the Williams form the September /October before his first season in F1) but he is still a Rookie.
Take Our Nige ™ in Indycar in 1993. He was won the title and damn near won the Indy 500 but was still regarded as a Rookie, indeed he had to pass the Rookie trials at Indy before he was even allowed to take part in qualifying.
J-PM in NASCAR is in his Rookie season there, likewise JV next year.
LH may well have been one of the best prepared Rookies of all time (don’t forget JV was testing the Williams form the September /October before his first season in F1) but he is still a Rookie.
Rookie = First year racing in a category at a higher level than their previous experience.
Lewis IS a true F1 rookie, however you look at it. His career path is not particularly unusual for a top F1 driver i.e Karting, Formula Renault, F3, GP2, F1. Well funded by McLaren of course, but nothing more. There are lots of other equally well funded drivers out there.
Lewis IS a true F1 rookie, however you look at it. His career path is not particularly unusual for a top F1 driver i.e Karting, Formula Renault, F3, GP2, F1. Well funded by McLaren of course, but nothing more. There are lots of other equally well funded drivers out there.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff