Hamilton deserves more respect

Sorry, but you got it all wrong...the art of "Sprezzatura" is, as far as clothing is considered, the art of making extremely audacious AND supremely elegant choices without affectation, that is: the art of being extremely audacious, supremely elegant but looking absolutely natural. But let's put it in a smaller and less complicated word: it is called "class".
And when you make audacious choices that are only audacious, but neither elegant nor natural, you look gross or rude, out of your element, that's all.

Again, and I must have written this a dozen times: I kinda like Lewis and I don't doubt his talent at the wheel, but why, oh why doesn't he stay inside the bubble of racing?

A guy named Anthony Joseph Foyt ("A.J Foyt") said it much better than me once, and in seven words: "my best P.R is my right foot".
Wise words indeed.

Rgds

 

Interesting quote but we complain about drivers being too Corporate or not so engaging. When you add personality to what attracts fans to a driver the issue is far more complex than speed on the track. The hero worship begins etc. Fans are 'fickle' demanding more and less of things at same time. One group hates another loves. Others with no real feelings on either side.

Max and LH represent very vocal drivers who polarize a large group into sides of one or the other. No PR is bad eh??

 

Nothing wrong with you seeing different. I personally hope Lewis does'nt stay inside the bubble of racing. I hope more drivers have ambitions outside of racing. One should have a life once retired from racing.

 

Well, my dear "compatriot from over the pond"...I honestly think this has to be nuanced.
Frankly, I have never bought the story of the "humble beginnings from the bottom of the ladder", the handicap from the color of the skin, etcetera...
As far as I know, and as far as I remember: Hamilton was groomed from an early age by Ron Dennis, and even if he had a "quite modest" upbringing, it certainly was no Cinderella story either. Some of my British friends told me that the place he was living in at an early age was certainly not luxury, but it was not very poor either.
When you end up at 25 with enough money to buy a yacht, sorry, but you won't get me crying over that: I know quite a number of more cruel story than this one.
I think he can stop working now, and living from the interests of the interests of the capital he has accrued, which, according to my dear Grand'Mother, was the definition of being actually RICH.
I also seem to recall that Kimi Räikkönen upbringings occured in a far more difficult environment, and you never, ever hear anyone mention it, certainly not Kimi himself.
As far as racism is considered, obviously I'm not living with Lewis so I can't really say how much he had encountered; I remember only ONE shameful incident in Spain, again if my memory, etc...
So no, sorry, from my point of view: certainly not a Cinderella story.

THAT being said...the tendency of some families today to groom kids at a very young age to become champions at all or any cost and at the expense of many human asides is a dangerous thing that has collateral damage; being rich and famous is one thing; is it sufficient to make one a nice, complete, rounded human being: that's another matter? (Look at Max Verstappen...)

Rgds

 

Yep...Louie’s all about fashion. Too bad so many confuse fashion with style.

 

The great Umberto Eco said it once much better than I can: "social networks is the invasion of the imbeciles".
My point of view is that most of the drivers, perhaps all of them, have nothing to gain in making their lives public.
Again: I kinda like and admire Lewis-the-driver (and I'm sure he would be very good company over a beer, or two, or three) it is everything about "Lewis-out-of-the-cockpit" that I find frankly annoying, and actually counter-productive.
But agreed: at 61, I'm not exactly a "spring lamb", as we say in French...

Rgds

 

Without intending to be too harsh, while I respect it, it’s a little difficult to be overly sympathetic to LH’s life story. Many, many people overcome much worse adversities in life to become fine human beings, even if not nearly as professionally and financially successful as he has been. Everyone has his personal challenges, some are more public and overt than others.

His persona actually seems to be pleasant enough and even a bit shy, which is why the flamboyance seems so out of character. His manner of dress and grooming don’t seem to match his personality. Some might call it “trying too hard” to be something he isn’t.....and really doesn’t need to be.

 

Alonso has an F1 museum and a top-flight karting school outside of F1.

Kimi has a beautiful wife and 2 kids whom kart and do motocross outside of F1.

Seb has 2 kids and is also married outside of F1. He's changed his "carbon & plastic footprint" at his home.

Max is dating Piquet's daughter inside and outside of F1....

Leclerc is dating Charlotte and plays the piano on his spare time and is sponsored by Giorgio Armani whom is one of the most stylish and iconic brands since the 80's till current in mens clothing and cologne....outside of F1

Ricciardo is enjoying the single life and hangs out with a group of friends....outside of F1.

So there are current F1 drivers enjoying there life outside of F1.

 

Having Nelson Piquet as father in law is a good thing?

Probably at the family barbecues Nelson doesn´t stop saying: "I have three championships, how many did you say you have?"

 

Some people have some kind of emotional need that others don't understand or don't need themselves. This is probably the case with Hammy. He wants attention so he does things that give him a little extra spotlight like wearing unusual clothing.

On the other hand, Kimi Raikkonen doesn't dress outlandishly and says very little. In fact the he says the absolute minimum required by an F1 pilot, yet he is perhaps the most admired and popular person on the grid.

 

Fashion never meant style. Crop tops ? Ripped jeans? Back to front baseball caps ? Track suit bottoms ? Etc ....

 

Well, now we know way he says very little. He's busy doing other things . . .

 

That’s my point. Many don’t realize there’s a difference. A big difference.

 

Another British saying: "please don't bypass the profanity filter".

Many thanks,
Andrew.

 

Bien sûr que c’est typiquement français de connaître l’élégance et la classe voyons !

 

Fully agree.
Everything looks superficial to me,
But maybe I am too old already (48) ..

 

That first line....wow! There is wisdom in Umberto Eco's words

I was just telling my business partner that, although social media has successfully shrunk the distance between friends and associates, it's also given voice to people who should never be heard from.

 

Note that I said my daughters enjoy his style. What they enjoy as "style" makes absolutely no sense to me. That said, I have no issues with his clothes at all. I wouldn't wear them, but I'm quite alright not being part of pop culture.