Will Lewis Hamilton Be the Next Big Thing or a Disappointment?

Ron, I suppose it's a word I made up...for tree huggers or folk that would want a less polluting sport...

 

Florian, I dont think anyone with a brain cell is saying he is on there level as yet, F1 will and always changes, now the days of MS may never come to light again, not because LH couldn't be as good but the sport will not let that happen again all IMO.

And to be honest I don't mind that.

 

Well, look at what Kovalainen is doing in the McLaren after years of F1 practice or what Massa was doing in his first year at Ferrari after years of practice in F1.

Sorry pal, but Hamilton is a phenomenon.

Regarding the old champs: Schumacher in the top car would have been phenomenal as well. Heck he was astounding in the Jordan on his first drive. As would Senna have been. His class shone through in Monaco's rain. So yes, those guys would have been just as great in a top car in their first year. But that doesn't make Hamilton any lesser of a driver.

 

Of course, what I meant was "on the level Schumi, Senna etc were when they were F1 rookies". Maybe he's way better than they were at their rookie time, maybe he's way worse, we just don't know it, so all "best rookie ever" talk is pointless because of his special situation.

Point taken. I think no one would deny that he has more talent than Kovalinen will ever have, and that Massa is better than him at the moment is surely due to Massas experience. Nevertheless I think it's far too early to judge Hamilton.

 

Florian, this special situation is bollox and is wearing thin, the guy was quick from the off he cut his teeth well in other racing, RD could have loaned him out, but had a gut feeling or whatever to bang him straight in at the deep end, and it paid off, you may find thats the way from now on with rookies....IF and thats a big IF there as good.

This thing with Massa, suddenly he strings together a few good races and he is better than Lewis, well I don't buy it sorry.
He really has got his act together of late, but for me lets wait till the last race to make a realistic call on them both.

 

Massa isn't better than Hamilton. He will never be because he lacks the talent.

Hamilton was sick in Valencia and the hotter temps favored the Ferraris. The remaining six races will likely have cooler temperatures and possibly some rain. Lewis will win the title.

Hamilton had some serious brain freezes this season (Bahrain, Montreal), as did everybody else (Kimi, Alonso, Massa, Kubica).

Overall I rate the drivers of this season as follows:

1) Alonso
2) Hamilton
3) Kimi by talent, not by motivation
4) Massa

So you see I upgraded Massa from mediocre midfielder. But he ain't no Hami.

 

Well Andreas a bold post there..not a Ted sort of bet.. but... I will go along with that.

Thats why I want a Brit in a Ferrari well really I MEAN Lewis to be honest, you see FA in red I really would start getting torn, but I have to say it would make for some exciting racing, if you get a driver you like in the team you love, well you aint gotta problem.

If I want the best for Ferrari FA is the realistic man for the job.

 

Alonso would be the next Schumacher, if he were to go to Ferrari. He would immediately veto any teammate he saw as a threat, and would receive number 1 status. With his abilities and a superior Ferrari, he would dominate, if you consider all this, you'll see the Schumacher parallel. That's really the only downside for me, I actually like seeing Ferrari have two drivers competing against each other until one desperately needs the support for the title.

 

I have to wait till the end of the season...If again he doesnt take it a big question mark can be put behind his name.

He has got the most reliable car out of everyone out there (especially compared to the ferrari's), arguably the quickest and at the moment, the better team (strategist etc). Ferrari have thrown away a lot of points this season already due to unreliability and driver errors, yet Lewis only had two no point scoring finishes...and he's still only 6 points ahead! I reckon his new girlfriend has some influence

 

Massa is in the superior car, not to take anything from him. I don't think experience is the separator between he and Hamilton.

If the Scuderia would stop bungling things (which they didn't this weekend), Massa would have a comfortable lead right now.

 

I hate to say it, but a Alonso/Massa pairing would probably be better than Alonso/Kimi. First, you probably would have less problems (but there would definitely be one) with Alonso as a #1 but also I feel Kimi's lost his fire after getting his elusive championship. He's reminding me of Mika at the end right now.

It would be great if Lewis could drive for Ferrari, but I don't see that happening either. It would make for an exciting championship though (although I'd REALLY have a hard time rooting for Alonso...I'd hope Felipe would somehow develop the "I'm supposed to win" mentality and take the fight to him). Alonso/Massa vs Hamilton in top equipment would definitely intensify the drama.

 

He is very popular in Britain.

He won't be very popular elsewhere unless he drives for SF IMVHO.

 

Could you elaborate on that...

 

Hasn't Lewis stated on multiple occasions that he doesn't have a desire to drive for SF and that he wants to spend his whole career in a McLaren?

 

I don't know if he's ever said he doesn't want to drive for Ferrari but he has said he'd like to spend his career at McLaren. Given the background that's hardly surprising.

There's a bit of a standing joke in Scotland about the football player who, on joining his sixth club, says "this is the only team I've ever wanted to play for", having said exactly the same thing on joining his previous five clubs! Circumstances change and it would be fairly unusual for a driver to spend his entire career with one team. I suspect we'll see LH in another car at some stage, hopefully a Ferrari.

 

Wayne Rooney also springs to mind, if the price is right, Ian