British press wrote this. I couldnt agree more. One Point Separates A Champ From A Cheat Saturday 4th April 2009 One point was all that mattered in Lewis Hamilton's promotion from fourth to third in the Australian GP results, and one point was all that separated the Champ from being branded a 'cheat' in his apology. The Hamilton/Jarno Trulli saga from the Australian GP has made headlines throughout the world as the Brit denied slowing down to let Trulli through and up into third place. And as a result of him 'deliberately misleading' the Melbourne stewards, Hamilton gained a point and Trulli lost six. However, Trulli's loss of six points, which was subsequently overturned, now seems nothing compared to Hamilton's loss of reputation after it emerged that the defending World Champion had 'mislead' the stewards as McLaren's own radio communication proved beyond any doubt that he had slowed down and let Trulli through. But it's the McLaren driver's apology that most irks. "Straight after that we were requested by the stewards, and while waiting for the stewards I was instructed and misled by my team manager to withhold information, and that is what I did," Hamilton said in Malaysia on Friday. "I sincerely apologise to the stewards for wasting their time and for making them look silly. I am very, very sorry for the situation: for my team, for Dave because he has been a good member of the team for many years, and whilst I don't think it was his intention or...he is a good guy." A simple translation of all that: "I'm sorry but Dave made me do it." Talk about throwing Dave on the sword. And talk about not taking responsibility for one's own actions. Responsibility is a hallmark of any great Champion and any great human being. And Hamilton has refused to take it. Did Dave hold a gun to his head? Did Dave threaten to fire him if he didn't "withhold information"? Did Dave speak for him? Hamilton is a big boy. He's 24 years old and I'm sure his parents have taught him right from wrong. Truth from lies. Responsibility from passing the buck. Sadly he showed none of those traits on Friday afternoon. Like a child that breaks a window while playing with a ball in the garden and blames everyone but himself gets an even bigger punishment from his parents, Hamilton deserves the same from the FIA. Motorsport's governing body has acknowledged his apology and even vaguely commended him for it, saying "We recognise Lewis' efforts to set the record straight. It would appear he was put in an impossible position.' But really did he apologise? No, he passed the buck. And that is the one point that separates a Champion from someone who deliberately misleads. And who knows, maybe the handful he cost himself in Australia will be the handful that cost him this year's World title.
I see yet another LH bashing thread comming on. You know for a Ferrari based forum, we might as well change the F1 section to the Mclaren F1 section. With a sub section devoted to LH. Looking down the threads there is very little in the way of Ferrari F1 compared to LH and Mclaren.
Whatever. Dude told the right story and then changed it after meeting with his team. He was instructed by the team to change his story in order to avoid more harsh punishment from the FIA. Sounds logical to me. F1 is full of cheating...they just make strange determinations on who gets punished and who doesn't.
I posted this in response to those who post here and say we are blind in our hate etc of LH. Hardly the case. The man is simply wrong and as stated hasnt done much in taking responsibility for being a man about it. All drivers get criticism when it is due. Kimi and Felipe take the heat here pretty badly id say. LH is no different, and until this year was the biggest challenger to Ferrari's duo. So he gets a bit of attention and more so with blunders like this. Contrast that to Felipe and his handling of the teams' mis-step today - No one person is to blame we are a team and we lose or win all together" Nothing of the sort came out of LH's mouth in response to his incident. As posted he passes the buck. LH is a great driver. I predicted he would have a "growing year" due to the Mclaren being down on pace for now. How right I was, but its sad to see he is making it so painful for himself. No one forces you to read a thread or even reply. It is an open forum.
For some on here he will always be : Damned if he does, Damned if he doesn't. And funnily enough it all comes from the same Massa fans..but I will await the disappearing act, at Brazil again... Trouble is he so damned talented, and he ain't driving a Ferrari.
Q1 - I very much doubt it - Although, Dave was nominally his "boss" - 30 odd years with Mclaren. LH is 24 and had just finished a GP. Wouldn't you be a little "intimidated", given: Q2 - Yes, I suspect Dave spoke first - He spouted the BS, and Charlie asked LH to confirm Dave's account - *Big* mistake (for which he's apologized), but hardly "passing the buck". "Telling the truth" maybe? As always, My 02c, Cheers, Ian
Thanks for the post. I think Hamilton has personally paid his dues for this incident, no need for more. This cloud will be over him for a long time, that is enough.
Has nothing to do with me being a Ferrari fan at all. I see your reply to Andreas about LH simply standing up for himself and not following the absurd advice of his masters and just using a bit of common sense. Nothing more than what was said in the article I posted. For those of you yawning, I hope you sleep well and wake up early for the race
No problem Steve. Fire at will, lets hope for a clean race tomorrow. How about Toyota!!! I need to get up to Schumi's big Kart place outside Cologne soon and have some fun! Good driving weather again and my wife just might let me take out a nice R8 for a spin and test Lets hope she approves!
Not only has LH proven to be a cheat in this particular instance, apparently he's not too bright either. Did he think that the team's radio transmissions would remain sealed for all eternity? If you lack the ethical fortitude that enables a lie in the first place, then at least offset that shortcoming with the intelligence to know when to lie...
I'd say it was quite the opposite, he told the truth, then was told to lie, the team recorded him they knew what was on the tape Makes the team look stupid in my IMO. As I said he deserves better and I have no doubt this will be a problem within Mclaren's team moral, I hope he leaves, everyone will be happy then.
Hamilton lied and McLaren set Dave Ryan to take the heat, its better to have Ryan fall on his sword than shut down a entire team. What did you expect to happen. S&*t rolls down hill.
