Lewis Hamilton driving standards

[i70q7m7ghw]

The thread should be locked for the mere suggestion Lewis Hamilton was playing a 'race card'. Absolutely appalling accusation.

[Formula None]

The thread should be locked for the mere suggestion Lewis Hamilton was playing a 'race card'. Absolutely appalling accusation.

Yes, it is appalling accuse people of being racist when they are not. He was obviously angry during the interview, and not in a joking mood. He added the "like ali g says" bit at the end to cover what he soon realized was a freudian slip. He came across as a small, frustrated boy today. His career doesn't need this. He's got a hell of a mountain to climb now, or else its all downhill from here...

[Steven]

I have just watched replays of Hamilton vs Schumacher and Hamilton vs Maldonado, both at Ste Devote.

There are a few important differences there:
- Against Schumacher, Hamilton was approx 50% aside, and bumped in the right sidepod of the Mercedes GP.
- Against Maldonado, Hamilton was further behind, and his the right rear wheel of the Williams with his left front.

Certainly in the latter case Hamilton had to right to claim the inside of the turn, even though it must be said that Maldonado was on course to cut the corner very sharp, even on the apex he was very much on the kerb. We should have an image of Maldonado at Ste Devote from a few other laps there, see if he took that line every time.

As for Massa, I doubt he turned in to push Hamilton away. If you look at Webber you can see that he even took a more extreme outside line and late braking point into Loews.

Anyway, while I like aggressive driving to make an overtake work, I believe that when you are wrong you should be man enough to admit it. I was stunned to see he was even waiving his hand at Schumacher, even when the latter decided to play nice in the corner. Since when are people not allowed anymore to defend their position because supposedly Hamilton's McLaren is faster?

[Jimi_Hendrix_1967]

Do you actually know who Ali G is?[...]

Yeah I do know who Ali G is, and its very funny indeed. However, for a sportsman to 'jokingly' use the same phrase in regards to the sports authority is pretty tasteless. I somehow dont think he showed the stewards clips from Ali to explain the comment, but instead thoroughly apologised.

[i70q7m7ghw]

So what have we concluded here? We need to wrap the stewards in bubble wrap because they can't take a joke. Oh, and Lewis Hamilton should be excluded from this years championship so Vettel can win it even quicker.

[Jimi_Hendrix_1967]

I have just watched replays of Hamilton vs Schumacher and Hamilton vs Maldonado, both at Ste Devote.

There are a few important differences there:
- Against Schumacher, Hamilton was approx 50% aside, and bumped in the right sidepod of the Mercedes GP.
- Against Maldonado, Hamilton was further behind, and his the right rear wheel of the Williams with his left front.

Certainly in the latter case Hamilton had to right to claim the inside of the turn, even though it must be said that Maldonado was on course to cut the corner very sharp, even on the apex he was very much on the kerb. We should have an image of Maldonado at Ste Devote from a few other laps there, see if he took that line every time.

As for Massa, I doubt he turned in to push Hamilton away. If you look at Webber you can see that he even took a more extreme outside line and late braking point into Loews.

Anyway, while I like aggressive driving to make an overtake work, I believe that when you are wrong you should be man enough to admit it. I was stunned to see he was even waiving his hand at Schumacher, even when the latter decided to play nice in the corner. Since when are people not allowed anymore to defend their position because supposedly Hamilton's McLaren is faster?

Maybe Mclaren would do wise to show Hamilton how Di Resta handled it. Di Resta plainly admited his mistake, everybody accepts it and moves on. Hamilton somehow doesnt understand that even if he wasnt all faulty, this gains respect with the audience and his fellow drivers.

[i70q7m7ghw]

So you would rather have drivers produce a web of lies in interviews? No thanks, I don't want a fake sport with fake drivers.

[andrew]

Since when are people not allowed anymore to defend their position because supposedly Hamilton's McLaren is faster?

Arrognace and ego has a lot to do with this.

[Jimi_Hendrix_1967]

So what have we concluded here? We need to wrap the stewards in bubble wrap because they can't take a joke. Oh, and Lewis Hamilton should be excluded from this years championship so Vettel can win it even quicker.

It wasnt just a joke. It was a extensive dressing down of race stewarding, with explicit remarks to them not being impartial, with as sugar on top the Ali G comment.

And factually it was also not right. The FIA have been very kind to him in many other occasions, with meaningless reprimands and warnings.

[i70q7m7ghw]

You accused Lewis Hamilton of playing the 'race card', this was not the case since you and everyone else only seem quote the "maybe it's because i'm black" but, carefully omitting the "that's what Ali G says" bit.

I think you seriously need to reconsider this accusation.

[fausto cedros]

Well, i will have my say, for what it's worth.

I am a huge McLaren and Hamilton fan but today the attitude of the man resembled the one i saw from him in monza last year.
He was utterly frustrated then and angry with his engineer for the setup choice in qualifying.As a result he ended into massa on race day after 200 metres.
Yesterday he was frustrated with the engineer, and today he ended it sleeping in lap one and making a big mess in the rest. Every interview he repeats " Seb has it too easy, Seb is walking away with it". At first i thought it was an attempt to diminish the credits to his rival, but i am starting to think he's obsessed. And obsession is never an easy thing to deal with.
Besides, today race engineering at McL screwed up Button's race as well in my opinion. Maybe they should improve a bit on that side.

[Formula None]

So you would rather have drivers produce a web of lies in interviews? No thanks, I don't want a fake sport with fake drivers.

Yes, let's not sully the fine tradition of push to pass buttons we've had to enjoy the past few years... F1 has been jumping the shark of late you have to admit, Lewis not really helping things with reality-tv-level commentary. Get's viewers and twitter followers though. That's not what makes the sport great, though, despite what Bernie dreams of. Lewis should focus more on racing, not high drama PR opportunities.

[Shrieker]

[...]

[Steven]

It is quite obvious that racism has nothing to do with driving standards, and it doesn't matter either even in reference to Mr. Hamilton's interview.

We'll leave it open it you're able and willing to discuss the driving standards (as the title suggests that would be all that is on-topic here). It will get locked otherwise.

[andrew]

It wasnt just a joke. It was a extensive dressing down of race stewarding, with explicit remarks to them not being impartial, with as sugar on top the Ali G comment.

And factually it was also not right. The FIA have been very kind to him in many other occasions, with meaningless reprimands and warnings.

And yet again he has another meaningless penalty. 20 second penalty and he is still 6th.

Given his multiple shunts in the race he should have been black flagged, if it were up to me. It wasn’t as if there was one isolated incident but there were several.

His comments after the race (joking or otherwise) were pathetic and inappropriate, especially for someone who is supposed to be one of the leading drivers. Yet again when Hamilton does not get his way he resorts to acting like a petulant child.

As for this being a bashing thread, I totally disagree. After a shambolic performance and Hamilton’s post-race outburst it is correct that his actions are closely looked at to form some sort of critique.

Of course, if you are a Hamilton fan you will think this is bashing as no one like to hear the truth when it goes against their own beliefs.

EDIT: I wrote this before I saw the comment by Tomba. Apologies if this is off topic.