I repeat the opinions of females around me. My daughters think Nico is gorgeous! Beside, he always appears well mannered, which pleases many women too.
Jeans, earrings, etc were just an example of how ridiculous it gets here. It's not just outside the track as you say. I just gave you the perfect example with multi 21. Lewis would be crucified if we found out that he threatened to sue his own team. Nobody even brought it up here. Valentino Rossi wears earrings and sprays grid girls under their skirts. Lewis is gay because he wears earrings. When he sprayed the grid girl's face everyone went bananas and said he has no respect for women. When they make a bad call Lewis is the arrogant idiot. If it happens to another driver it's called bad luck. The list just goes on and on. Schumacher/Vettel dominated for 4-5 years it was fine. 2014 wasn't even over, Lewis fighting with a quick teammate (11 poles) and reliability but somehow that was boring and it was time to shut off the TV. Say what you want but this is not a typical case of I don't like the guy's character.
I just don't see it the way you do...and that's okay. Difference are what make us human. I don't think anybody suggested that 2014 was boring because a black guy was winning...but somehow, I feel as if that's your implication. AND...I actually liked 2014 better than the "Vettel years" because there were some interesting technical rules (IMO). Comparing MotoGP to F1 is apples and oranges...the only thing they have in common is some fans. Not ALL fans mind you...just some. Rossi's shenanigans have nothing to do with the product that Bernie is selling... Lewis tends to get the "arrogant" label when he blames everyone and everything but himself for a situation. Admittedly, he is getting better at this from a VERBAL perspective, but his non-verbal communication still makes me question his maturity. Your "Multi-21" example is again apples and oranges...you are making assumptions on how "we" would react to a he-said-she-said story from a book. Vettel is a racer...Lewis is a racer. I expect that either could and would feel that team orders with an obvious detrimental effect (to them personally/professionally) are "unreasonable." And...either one with a clause in their contract might just use that to prevent the issue from ever being brought up again. Actually sheer brilliance on Vettel's part from an arrogant, win at any cost, race car driver's perspective...a chapter straight out of Shumi's book. AND...it took Webber's book to bring it to light. My gut tells me that if Hamilton were in a similar situation, it would go down differently (but I'm just guessing).
I wasn't comparing F1 to MotoGP. I brought up the actions of two world champions on a worldwide stage. One was perfect for spraying up their skirts and the other is the idiot that doesn't respect women by spraying their face. I guess you still don't see the double standard in not having a single word on a F1 forum about multi 21 and 100 posts about earrings and jeans...LOL. Besides I don't ever remember when this earring thing was such a big deal. Nobody ever brought it up with 100s of famous people before. Now all of a sudden earrings and necklaces are a big deal. Did you know that people complain when Lewis wears sunglasses?
Rossi is pure class, the guy is a natural entertainer...Lewis is a natural arrogant *******.....and of course Rossi as 10 times Lewis talent, he will be one of the greatest motorcycle riders the world ever knew.....Lewis not even close in f.1...
I'm a big fan of Rossi. I just brought it up because of the double standards but it seems like people are blind even when the evidence is right in front of them. Rossi wears big earrings and tight leather. Is he also gay?
Rossi is already a legend in motorcycle racing; right up there with Hailwood, Agostini, Doohan, Roberts and all the great riders.
Thanks. He was such an arrogant dick. What he got away with back then reminds me of what Lewis gets away with at Mercedes. It leaves me scratching my head, but maybe he threatens to sue too.
Talking about double standards: Vettel is criticised for years overtaking a team mate against the call of his team in a single race (there is even a word existing for: Multi21) but Hamilton constantly ignoring team orders (as Rosberg did as well) is celebrated to be a true racer that wants to win...Vettel was called average because he was winning in a dominant car in front of a team mate that was not considered even (Webber) but Hamilton is celebrated as genius winning in a complete dominant car against a team mate that also is not considered even as well (Rosberg).... So tell me a little bit more about double standards....
I think you have to be arrogant at this level. Nice F1 champions are rare. Look at the top drivers Alo, Ham, Vet all three are arrogant pricks. Hamilton didn't send lawyers after his team or teammate yet. He is better than Vettel in that regard.
Show me one. I'm not talking about multi 21 in 2013. I'm talking about the latest news that has been flooding the internet a week ago. I didn't see any mention of it here on Fchat....maybe I just didn't see one. Aircon had no idea what I was talking about.
I don't know if you have to be arrogant, but you certainly have to be single-minded and not distracted by any other consideration. Once a talented driver has realised his worth and see that the goal is within his grasp, he should concentrate on reaching it, at the exclusion of any deviation. Great sportman aren't all remembered by their social grace or attitude, but their achievement remains. Some drivers I remember as being nice individuals, others as being absolute winners; they are not always the same.
Context: the information comes from Mark Webber's new "tell all" book. When Webber asked why Seb wasn't reprimanded for the incident, Horner told him that Seb's lawyers had sent a two page letter claiming it violated the "unreasonable request" clause of his contract. More of a cease and desist letter than a threat of lawsuit.
Mark never struck me as a liar type. To me he seems like one of the nicer F1 guys. After the race Vettel was very apologetic. Then he changed his tune and got the lawyers involved.
I sure didn't suggest that Mark is lying. I do and always have liked Mark as a driver and the way he handled himself on and off the track. He always seem to come in second, but he has managed to stay closer to the top for longer than most. My point is only that it is pretty dramatic to say that Seb was going to sue the team. I was rooting for Mark and did not care for Seb...I thought it was a dastardly move...I do believe that he was a little red-faced at first. BUT...I (especially in hindsight) understand why he thought about it some and decided that it was bull$hit that he couldn't pass whenever and whoever he needed to to win another championship. He did what it took to ensure that it wouldn't happen again...again, according to Mark, Seb's lawyers sent a letter saying that Multi-21 violated his contract. He either had a point or he didn't...Red Bull's actions say that they feel that he had a point. That's how I see the story. I'm still a way bigger Webber fan than a Vettel fan. I'm finally past the point of hoping Vettel's car breaks down, though.
I agree that there tends to be some sensitivity around Hamilton criticism, but let's also admit that there was palpable disapproval of him due to his skin color. Unfortunately, events like what happened at Spain has imbued all criticism of Lewis (in the minds of many fans). I don't take it too seriously, personally. I do recall Alonso being thoroughly lambasted on here prior to coming to Ferrari (since I was one of the ring-leaders, I can say that without hesitation that such was the case). I also recall Vettel's talent being questioned aggressively while he drove for Red Bull I think the Multi-21 case has fallen on deaf ears because his car is now Rosso Scuderia. Hamilton is a very public figure for an F1 driver (though I tend to chalk it up to trying to get over his ex-gf vs simply seeking relevance). The guy is stylish and very popular among the Millenial generation, which makes Bernie happy I'm sure. We old farts Gen-Xer's, Boomers, etc will not connect with him so he'll take some shrapnel periodically, but as far as I can tell he's pretty well liked/supported by the F1 community.
