Read JPM's (former McLaren driver) interview (from another post),...
Read JPM's (former McLaren driver) interview (from another post), http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=5f089403-2a41-40f2-bf8b-9aa62154d8a0&k=1769&p=2. ...it confirmed what FA has been saying.. "they (McLaren) have the fastest car and he's (Hamilton) clearly the No. 1 on the team. But there's always a No. 1 at McLaren. I mean, Fernando Alonso said it himself. Didn't he?...But he has an advantage that . . . they are always going to say that it's equal stuff. But there really always is a favourite driver on the team." Who will get the fastest set of tires, the least fuel in qualifying, etc., etc., etc. There is no doubt about it. Put the Hamilton PR machine BS aside...he is being put up on the podium by Ron Dennis. I am not saying he lacks talent, just that the road to the podium is paved with many little advantages of being the chosen driver on the team.
In addition, to having McLaren (RD) spend US $10 Million funding your way to F1 from the lower formulas.
He's probably right. The difference between McLaren and Ferrari a few years ago is that they are allowed to race. None of this move over crap.
It could well be Hamilton's compliant personality that has landed him in the #1 seat. After all, don't most 'owners' want a compliant driver? The kind who is easy to handle and goes to all the sponsor gigs with a smile on his face?
Wasn't LH complaining they would let him race FA in Monaco. I don't think LH was a default #1 but he's now faster/more consistent than is teammate...
LH has proven he has the talent to handle the role...no doubt about that. I just wonder what they told FA going in...its not like he 'lost the job' with poor performance, but certainly his lack of PR skills might play a part in the decision, not to mention being a Spaniard. There are a heck of a lot more Mac fans in England, and it is rising to a fevered pitch in the media. I think if it was a case of say Valentino Rossi on Ferrari with FA, the Italians would want Rossi to be the #1 driver and get all the breaks they could give him. I personally think a little nationalism is good for F1. Just my 2c.
