The next Lewis Hamilton
Discussion
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/315184...
Crikey, they pull no punches these days. This time last year on a different forum (can't remember which) there were a half dozen or so agents wanting to know about karting!
Crikey, they pull no punches these days. This time last year on a different forum (can't remember which) there were a half dozen or so agents wanting to know about karting!
4 yrs old!Well the father is obviously loaded enough to support his career choice,IT company director.Nick Walker said:
Nick Walker of sponsor Chase-Evans sports management, said: "We think Leonardo will go a long way. He's our future. We're delighted to have discovered this talent."
Just how much management does a 4 year old need?IMHO management and contracts are ruining most forms of sport. Parasites getting rich off other people's talents and hard work.
Nick Walker said:
"He's our future"
Presumably the OUR relating to HIS company.i reckon you can train anyone from 4 years old (if they want to do it) and have the money to go a long way in motorsport.
Unfortunately what you can't teach is talent. So the investment may be huge for a limited career. At best you will end up with a Massa rather than a Hamilton. Still, lots of money to be made though!
I guess you can reassess each year, if the kid is winning, you keep going........
Unfortunately what you can't teach is talent. So the investment may be huge for a limited career. At best you will end up with a Massa rather than a Hamilton. Still, lots of money to be made though!
I guess you can reassess each year, if the kid is winning, you keep going........
Are pushy parents a form of child abusers? Are they REALLY doing it just for the kid? As much as, say, religious indoctrination, as a random example? 
Fortunately on BBC news interview this am the kid seems to really enjoy it "I like going fast", it's just a matter of if he keeps his interest and that will be about winning early on.
Fortunately on BBC news interview this am the kid seems to really enjoy it "I like going fast", it's just a matter of if he keeps his interest and that will be about winning early on.
Edited by mattikake on Thursday 9th October 10:02
Found a little video about it earlier, was going to start a thread but il post the link here. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7662442.stm
Shows another young racer as well, on the same track were Lewis was apparently first spotted.
Shows another young racer as well, on the same track were Lewis was apparently first spotted.
I wonder how a four year old would fare in a 50mph crash...
In a car, a four year old would still need a child seat/booster cushion to make sure the seatbelt works properly for their height. In a kart, they have no seatbelts - so steering wheel into chest, broken limbs, no head support. Worst case scenario I know, but an adult would be a bit winded, recover OK from the broken bones and have a stiff neck - not so sure a four year old would fare so well.
Potentially irresponsible parenting IMO.
In a car, a four year old would still need a child seat/booster cushion to make sure the seatbelt works properly for their height. In a kart, they have no seatbelts - so steering wheel into chest, broken limbs, no head support. Worst case scenario I know, but an adult would be a bit winded, recover OK from the broken bones and have a stiff neck - not so sure a four year old would fare so well.
Potentially irresponsible parenting IMO.
groomi said:
I wonder how a four year old would fare in a 50mph crash...
In a car, a four year old would still need a child seat/booster cushion to make sure the seatbelt works properly for their height. In a kart, they have no seatbelts - so steering wheel into chest, broken limbs, no head support. Worst case scenario I know, but an adult would be a bit winded, recover OK from the broken bones and have a stiff neck - not so sure a four year old would fare so well.
Potentially irresponsible parenting IMO.
True, if you imagine the relative size of the head & neck of a 4 year old and consider that has to support the weight of a helmet with the G-forces of cornering...In a car, a four year old would still need a child seat/booster cushion to make sure the seatbelt works properly for their height. In a kart, they have no seatbelts - so steering wheel into chest, broken limbs, no head support. Worst case scenario I know, but an adult would be a bit winded, recover OK from the broken bones and have a stiff neck - not so sure a four year old would fare so well.
Potentially irresponsible parenting IMO.
I agree with the sentiments shown here but i'm not so sure I agree with the broken bone recovery and all that.
Kids have a fantastic ability to repair themselves quickly although granted a muscle injury wouldnt help them much in later life.
Seat belts? You wouldnt wanty one in a kart, there is no crumple zone - the impact would go directly through the driver causing them all sorts of damage, believe it or not you actually want to be thrown from a kart on impact, we (the child) hold much less inertia on our own than a 70kg kart plus (in this instance) a 25kg child, they tend to bounce around and get back up again - us bigger folk don't because we hit things harder and with more momentum.
I'm not saying its a good thing karting at 4 but i dont think that particular argument stands up.
Kids have a fantastic ability to repair themselves quickly although granted a muscle injury wouldnt help them much in later life.
Seat belts? You wouldnt wanty one in a kart, there is no crumple zone - the impact would go directly through the driver causing them all sorts of damage, believe it or not you actually want to be thrown from a kart on impact, we (the child) hold much less inertia on our own than a 70kg kart plus (in this instance) a 25kg child, they tend to bounce around and get back up again - us bigger folk don't because we hit things harder and with more momentum.
I'm not saying its a good thing karting at 4 but i dont think that particular argument stands up.
Edited by Regional on Friday 10th October 09:18
Regional said:
I agree with the sentiments shown here but i'm not so sure I agree with the broken bone recovery and all that.
Kids have a fantastic ability to repair themselves quickly although granted a muscle injury wouldnt help them much in later life.
Seat belts? You wouldnt wanty one in a kart, there is no crumple zone - the impact would go directly through the driver causing them all sorts of damage, believe it or not you actually want to be thrown from a kart on impact, we (the child) hold much less inertia on our own than a 70kg kart plus (in this instance) a 25kg child, they tend to bounce around and get back up again - us bigger folk don't because we hit things harder and with more momentum.
I'm not saying its a good thing karting at 4 but i dont think that particular argument stands up.
Errr, I never said anything about seatbelts in a kart - ofcourse it would be downright dangerous. My comments are regarding a childs ability to withstand the forces of a 50mph crash without all the safety aids required in a modern car.Kids have a fantastic ability to repair themselves quickly although granted a muscle injury wouldnt help them much in later life.
Seat belts? You wouldnt wanty one in a kart, there is no crumple zone - the impact would go directly through the driver causing them all sorts of damage, believe it or not you actually want to be thrown from a kart on impact, we (the child) hold much less inertia on our own than a 70kg kart plus (in this instance) a 25kg child, they tend to bounce around and get back up again - us bigger folk don't because we hit things harder and with more momentum.
I'm not saying its a good thing karting at 4 but i dont think that particular argument stands up.
Edited by Regional on Friday 10th October 09:18
Have you ever seen a karting crash? People rarely get thrown clear from a kart - they get rammed into the steering wheel, or whipped sideways in the seat. The neck and chest can take a very hard pumelling in this situation.
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