Mick Schumacher

Whaaat? Are you suggesting Mr.Hamilton came partly into F1 because of his ethnic background and the fact that he will access a new followership???
After all these years where we have learned that he only came to the sport because of his immense talent that shone and that he did it although being black and not beause of if??? I think you dismiss the achievements of Lewis

 

Race and potential fan bases has everything to do with a great many things not just in racing but in business in general. I been known to watch boxing on occasion, and Floyd 'money' Mayweather could box a chimpanzee and still get 4 million pay-per-view buys, same goes for Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. They have such massive fan-followings due to their backgrounds, looks, story in general, that from this they bring capital that changes the shape of the sport and any event in which they participate. For Canelo, he hasn't won his last 2 fights by the numbers, but he was given a draw and a win. Why? The other guy doesn't bring nearly the same mindless mob of people and PPV buys. It really doesn't matter who is better when huge amounts of capital are involved, the question becomes, "who is better for the sport", "who do we need to win to keep this going". The 'best of the best' and 'who is the best on merit and by the numbers' argument is only used when huge money isn't involved.

The most obvious example for F1 is Schumacher in that he brought the German market to F1 when there basically was no German F1 market. Max brings the Dutch in huge numbers as well. That said, Schu was the greatest driver of all-time, and I'm sure Max will be great as well once he goes through some anger management to control his on-track rage. Stroll is bringing a large number of Canadians, and we can't even start on Senna as he is practically a national hero. Now someone tell me, how is F1 viewership doing in Brazil these days hmm???

 

Err, no.

It's about role models. It would be great if we could get a really good Japanese F1 driver for example. And judging by the behaviour of Japanese supporters at the World Cup*, more Japanese supporters is a very good thing.

* Apparently they helped pickup litter in the stadiums at the end of their games.

 

I guess even without the same behaviour liberty would very well welcome a Chinese driver...

 

I assume you are not calling me racist? Perhaps you should make that clear?

Anyway, I don't have favourite racers or a favourite team, I just enjoy the sport for the sport.

Role models are important because if kids see someone they can identify with succeeding at something, they are much more likely to think that they could do it too. And the more that try, the better will be the cream that rise to the top.

 

A black kid would be a role model for other black kids. A female would be a role model for other females. A Schumacher is a role model for ...?

How hard is that to grasp?

 

I sense rising exasperations with one another. I recommend taking a step back and remembering to keep it civil. Nobody wants any reply restrictions or bans.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

...millions of Ferraristi all over the world!

 

Fair comment.

Here we go again. You complain that virtually every thread is about Hamilton, but you take every opportunity to turn threads into Hamilton discussions, lambaste him, and taunt his fans who - of course - are going to respond, much to your annoyance. Yes, I know someone mentioned different ethnicities as role models earlier, but you didn't have to take the bait.

Can you not see that you're your own worst enemy standing in the way of a less Hamilton-centric F1 forum on FChat?

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Sorry, but when the guys on top were talking about a black kid being a role model for the black kids, who do you think they were talking about... Last time I checked there was no other black kid in the field.... So the thread was already on Lewis even when the name was not mentioned....

 

As I said, you don't have to take the bait. I've noticed a pattern where a small reference or tangent, as you might expect to happen for a reigning world champion, gets latched onto by the same small group who run with it, derail the thread, and then lament that every conversation is about Hamilton. If you don't want to talk about Hamilton, then resist the temptation.

See if you can guide the discussion back to Mick Schumacher instead of another senseless round of Michael vs. Lewis as the greater role model or champion. Try...

Hopefully,
Andrew.

 

Mick was with his dad when the accident occured, has seen the decline, and had the weight of his dad's name as far as expectations and everything else which comes with that.

For someone facing so much pressure as well as being a teen when the tradegy occured, and getting on with their life, I personally think that Mick is a great role model for people who face adversity and still get on with their lives to achieve their goals.

Surely there is a positive lesson in that.

Best,
Sammy

 

Sorry, that ship has already sailed mate - there are millions of adults and kids that admire Lewis for his on track successes and genuinely dig his persona.

Incidentally I love Lewis (obviously!) but will rooting for Mick to do really well...
I hope his mid-season surge was something really clicking within him and he can carry that forward into F2/F1...

 

I really don't think you quite get what a role model is.

 

Because they don't like seeing greatest (or just people they like) being degraded ...it is exactly the same impulse that causes you to write a response when someone you respect (say Michael for instance) is being attacked.

 

It says that you don't read what other people write because I have never said I am against him.