Well, thanks, Islamatron. I tought nobody has read what I wrote.
First, welcome to the forum.
Second,
out of thread: how exactly is Hamilton fighting corruption and "good ole boys" clubs in F1? Where are the
controversial stances in Hamilton's short career? Who has he accused of cheating, in the most amazing denounciations I've seen in the long history of F1?
Well, I'm not counting the Tripoli GP scandal, but I doubt many people here remember that, and that scandal happened decades before F1 started.
So, to be clear, how many penalties did McLaren get when he declared he did know
nothing about proven corruption? That's what can make a difference in people's minds.
If you think Muhammed Ali was controversial simply because he said he was the greatest, well... I could agree with your point of view.
However, I think Ali was different because
he refused to be managed in the "usual way". He actually made a difference in many people's lives, not because of his ego (and he had a big one), but because he fought every inch of the way against the establishment. He's the guy that went into a self imposed exile, losing even his boxing license, just because he refused to be what managers wanted him to be, that is, a PR persona.
BTW, persona is latin for "mask".
Hamilton is not very good at fighting the establishment. Actually, Hamilton is a "son of the establishment", or at least I see him in that way. Sorry if I'm mistaken, but there you have an opportunity to show me where I'm wrong: please, change my ignorance by providing some facts: I'll be happy to change my point of view when you show me
how he's a rebel.
That's what made Ali different, not the amount of winnings. If you measure boxers by that measure, then I guess Larry Holmes is the greatest...
Anyway, in the end, that's irrelevant for this thread.
Third,
totally on thread:
Here is the translation of the relevant part of the interview, for your illustration:
"Finally, after commenting to him that in Brazil (people) does not trust that Raikkonen is going to help Massa,
altough the fans think he will do it, now that he has a competitive car, he said,
among laughters, 'Yes, without a doubt. If I can help, I will help Massa.'"
This has ended being translated as: "Alonso vows he'll help Massa." and that's
no joke, in my opinion.
Now, the same newspaper (AS) brings you the following quote (my translation):
(At the podium)... the polish (Robert Kubitza) said in italian: "Fernando, now that your car is running well, lend me a hand for the title". The asturian replied: "I'll lend you any hand you wish, but I don't think is going to be of any help, the problem is that is your car the one that is not running.",
and then he laughed.
I imagine that this will give some people (the ones without a sense of humour) some other way to crucify Alonso. I can imagine some translation like "Alonso swears he will help Kubitza if BMW improves"... and comments about Alonso wishing to move to BMW. Yeah, sure.
C'mon, guys, if Alonso is Word Champion of anything is Word Champion of Realism...
Don't screw yourselves over declarations, when you had no idea of the tone with which he said them.