Hamilton and Nigel Mansell.

Well we all know, GP2 isn't F1 so we'll leave that out. In F1 if you are referring to the German GP you are right, he came from behind brilliantly but many of the guys if not all had been slower than him all weekend. He's also had races in which he ended up behind and floundered as well. In comparison to Mansell, which is what the thread is about, I'd pick Mansell over Hamilton or anyone really when it comes to an overtaking move. The guy was simply fearless. Not to say Hamilton hasn't shown flashes of this skill as well but nowhere near the extent that Mansell did.

 

Are you forgetting that nowadays it's extremely difficult to pass, even if you're quicker? Thanks to the aerodynamics of today's cars, even if you're getting a run on someone, you actually lose speed when getting close to someone. It wasn't that bad in Mansell's day, so let's keep that important variable in mind.

 

It doesn't really matter in my view. The aerodynamics this year aren't too different (relatively of course) to what they were in 05 and Kimi managed to pass 16 cars to win in Suzuka. Alonso passed 13 cars. It all depends on the track, the driver, and the specific conditions on that day that were nessecary to get the job done. No one had a better gauge of that than Mansell. And if you remember correctly, even back then, drivers were complaining that it was extremely hard to pass even if you were quicker. This isn't a new phenomenon in Formula One.

 

you guys forgot how MS fought from behind at the 2006 Brazilian GP?

 

This is just silly. How do you compare a driver that has not yet won a WDC, to drivers that have won multiple WDC´s??? I don´t see anyone being convinced. When Hamilton has won his third WDC, then you can start the comparisons, until then, you are talkiing from a dark smelly cavity.

 

One week from now we will know whether Hami is on the path to greatness.

 

I originally was trying to compare Hamilton and Nigel because I thought their emotional control, or lack of control, seemed very similar. Mansell threw away a lot of races because of his emotions and need to pull of moves. He also won a lot of races that people that he wouldn't because of his heart and determination.
Hamilton also loses his cool under pressure, but he has not shown that he has the same heart as Nigel. Nigel seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. I couldn't see a reason for Hamilton to have a chip, he has had everything handed to him.

So, my Original comparison was more about the way their emotions could control them, not saying he is as great as him. I just see his personality fitting Nigel more than Schumi or Senna.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDjRdi5zv-w

Sith Lord enters near the end of the clip.

 

Now that is just silly! You are simply looking at numbers and ignoring skill and ability. The number of WDCs won is not the absolute measure of how good a driver is - relatively ordinary drivers have been WDC and some much better ones have not. To answer your question, we compare them by considering their driving skill, not the number of WDCs they have won. Hamilton has already demonstrated that he has great talent, if he wins the WDC next weekend he is not going to be a better driver than he is today. If/when he wins his third WDC his skill and ability are not going to be significantly different from what they are now, the only thing that will be different is that he'll have three titles under his belt.

 

Excellent point, Even if he loses the WDC this year!!. Which in my book he has already won it!! discounting absurd FIA penalty's.

 

But one cant leave out GP2, it can have more overtaking and excitement in one race compared to a season of F1. And racing is racing, no matter if your racing carts to saloons. Its the spirit and daring of the driver that counts not the class of the racing series.

 

GP2 is a feeder series. How many people have done well there and stunk in F1? Pantano for one. That's like being great in the minor leagues. To me, it doesn't count especially when measuring against another driver.

 

Actually Mansell only won one title in 92.

 

+1

Absolutely correct.