You would think his contract with Mercedes would forbid something so risky -- https://www.planetf1.com/news/hamilton-crashes-in-private-superbike-test/
I applaud him for this. Most pilots who are successful in either 4 or 2 wheels wouldn’t even have a desire to try the other. If one can master both 4 and 2 wheels it’s a rare ability that most don’t possess.
I thought the other way round... I always thought 2 and 4 wheels are too different but since Schumacher tried 2 wheels and Rossi a Ferrari I get the impression that those guys simply have a sense for speed and body control... not that they reach the same level at the other sport but still they show some sort of competitiveness.... the days of Surtees winning both titles at the highest level or gone nevertheless, too specific are the requirements and commitment on both 2 and 4 wheels to simply switch. Gesendet von meinem SM-G930F mit Tapatalk
Motorcycles anable the rider to feel things one cannot feel in an automobile--even an F1 automobile. That feeling is the intimate connection to the tarmac right in front of the front tire. IT's fun. I'm pretty sure LH's contract does not stipulate he is not allowed to have fun.
It sounds like this event was organized by Monster, who sponsors both Mercedes F1 and the Yamaha team. At any rate, I’d rather have him riding in full leathers on a track than in jeans and a t shirt on the street.
Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you should send him a set of skis.... Seriously, I think it is great to see him challenging himself, taking risks and generally having an exciting time in Motorsports. It harkens back to the days when F1 drivers excelled in other forms of sport, be it bikes, bobsleds or other forms of racing. F1 cars and tracks have become much safer even as the speeds have come up and lap times down, as has motorcycle racing apparel. Better than seeing him at the club, acting the fool or going off to “get serious” about an awful music “career” (anyone have the whole Jacques Villeneuve cd collection.....?).
"His day was hampered by a small crash, and was able to continue riding afterwards." Yea, not sure what funny about it...sounds like he a small scrape and a great time. Alonso has ridden a MotoGP bike on a couple of occasions - what bike fan wouldn't want to try out a MotoGP/WSBK bike if given the opportunity? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I didn’t read the story, I only read the headline posted by the OP, I don’t care enough about Elton to read anything about him, I just had an image of my head of him upside down under a super bike hehehehehe
Bet the stewards helped him up, while holding the other riders back and cancelling their times so as to reinstate Elton to the front of the pack, then let him get a half circuit down the road before they could go again Hehehehe. Normal service resumed!!! Forza Ferrari..... the only racing team and car marque that matters. Italia forever It’s easier to apologise than it is to ask permission
It is much more difficult to ride a bike quickly than it is to drive a car quickly, as I am sure Lewis knows full well, or at least he does now! Regardless, with the level of protective gear that exists today, it is very rare there is ever a serious crash where someone gets hurt in MotoGP. As mentioned in a previous post, much better it happened on a track versus on the street. I'm glad he's okay.
Ok, before I reply, all of you Elton fan bois get a grip. I swear I say nothing bad about the guy and you all jump all over me I would think it would. Most sports teams don't want their players/drivers etc. jumping on bikes (especially super bikes?) during the contract period. Last thing they want is to loose their star driver but maybe he has stuff like this written into his contract.
This has far less to do with the protective gear but the trained pro-bikers who exactly know how to fall and who are mentally trained to get off a bike in the best possible way following mechanism...I doubt that any F1 (or other car driver) knows that the same way be it Lewis or anybody else!
Good on him. I don't think (more) experienced riders would be tailing him like this if they were not confident in his abilities. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thats exactly right ! former M/C racer here ! we used to go spectate at the races in Laguna Seca CA every July ? we would hang out the whole weekend and then attend the Keith code Superbike school on Monday after the race at the track ! i got to sit on world GP champ Kenny Roberts bike there! Here I am on the track ! 1985 ? regards, Neil PS all us guys from Arizona smoked the Ca men w/ faster lap times ! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has headed straight from the final round of the 2018 season in Abu Dhabi to Jerez in Spain, to spin some laps with his latest toys, a pair of Yamaha R1 superbikes prepared by World Superbike team Pata Yamaha. Lapping with the team’s WSB riders Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark over two days at the circuit used earlier this week for MotoGP and WSB testing, with MCN’s sources reporting that the five-time world champion was lucky to get away with a crash at the track’s fast turn seven. It isn’t the first time that Hamilton has taken to track, with the F1 driver a keen bike fan and reportedly fast to boot. An MV Agusta ambassador who has produced a number of limited-edition machines in cooperation with the Italian manufacturer, he also spent two days last year lapping with Cal Crutchlow in California. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Speaking as a ex M/c racer .... the protective gear is extensive now even including a Michelin designed/made air bag that deploys if you go off the bike ! ( it's part of the leather suit ! ) there is lots of run off room , gravel traps to slow you down and usually nothing hard to hit ! it is really not that dangerous compared to riding on the street ! He was apparently riding two personal street bikes set up for him by a race team and has years of experience in M/C road race style riding! I doubt if he was running anywhere near competitive Superbike lap times ! he was having a holiday riding in a very safe place ...A track !
So, is this supposed to be some sort of proof that Hamilton is an inferior driver in some subtle way now? Guaranteed, every one of the riders in MotoGP, Superbikes, etc. have dumped their rides one time or another multiple, multiple times. Be thankful it didn't end up the way it did for poor Jason Watt. Cool it already. BHW