Lewis Hamilton driving standards

[Paul]

"Obviously, I think if you look at the pictures it was clear I had the inside," Vettel said. "I went on the inside, I was ahead and just going down to focus on the braking point and honestly, you can see we touched and he touched my right rear wheel and I went off." (May 30th 2010)

[PlatinumZealot]

Vettel has had his bad races. He seems to take it on the chin and accepts the blame. I don't recall him ever trying to transfer the blame when he was at fault.

That's because he not the same kind of Animal as Hamilton. Vettel's all nice and bubbly, not exactly BOSS material.

[piast9]

I can't see the Massa's guilt in this crash. He took certain entry into this corner maybe because of the Hamilton but maybe because of the car in front of him? And isn't it that in Lowes hairpin you enter the corner and then you travel all the way on the full steering lock to make this corner? If it is so there's no way to change the line along the corner. And Hamilton's racing line in that corner was to try overtaking by going all four wheels over the kerbs. That's my opinion.

But for the second incident... As far as I remember, the late Ayrton Senna was famous of doing stuff like Hamilton did there. As Brundle said, he used to put himself in such place that it was for the driver in front to decide whether to have the incident or not. Now Senna is called the best driver ever while Hamilton is bashed for that action.

[Holm86]

Vettel has had his bad races. He seems to take it on the chin and accepts the blame. I don't recall him ever trying to transfer the blame when he was at fault.

Just like last year in Turkey right??

[CHT]

I have no idea where you are from,but in the U.S. racism is a serious topic and Lewis's remarks would be considered quite tasteless.

This might be difficult to understand, but the US is not the world. Nor is it that large a percentage of the F1 viewers figures. Lots of mpeople find things funny that septics don't. Having watched US "humour" on TV I'm not sure the US is in any position to give lessons on humour to anyone.

USians don't like Lewis's humour? Tough, go invade a poorly defended, oil-rich nation while you get over it...

On the same note, F1technical forum doesnt represent the world's view either.

[jamsbong]

To me, the "Villain of the Day" would be Hamilton in Monaco race. He not only took out Massa (indirectly) and Maldonado (directly). He later blame them for not giving way so he can pass, doesn't he realise those guys are not backmarkers?

Jokes to the stewards was simply childish and completely rude. He must have holes in his brains. Personally, I would have given him a more severe penalty regardless of his skin colour. The fact that he can think that skin colour is related to his penalty only shows that he is a racist minded person.

Hamilton getting worse every year. His 1st two years was remarkable but nowadays, he is too overrated and absolulely deserved every penalty given to him thus far.

[jamsbong]

Vettel has had his bad races. He seems to take it on the chin and accepts the blame. I don't recall him ever trying to transfer the blame when he was at fault.

Just like last year in Turkey right??

In regards to Turkey 2010. The fall-out mainly comes from the team announcement and Webber continuing to make a fuss of it. Vettel actually kept his head down and moved on very quickly. So yes, considering the magnitude of the situation, Vettel handled it way better than any Hamilton's cases.

[jamsbong]

But for the second incident... As far as I remember, the late Ayrton Senna was famous of doing stuff like Hamilton did there. As Brundle said, he used to put himself in such place that it was for the driver in front to decide whether to have the incident or not. Now Senna is called the best driver ever while Hamilton is bashed for that action.

Senna explained his actions believing 100% that he was truly correct in his point of view. People didn't agree with him of course. On the other hand, Hamilton points fingers at the drivers he crashed into, the stewards who gave him the penalties and anyone he could find reasons to blame. So bashing Hamilton? Of course!!

[archiebald]

To me, the "Villain of the Day" would be Hamilton in Monaco race. He not only took out Massa (indirectly) and Maldonado (directly). He later blame them for not giving way so he can pass, doesn't he realise those guys are not backmarkers?

How exactly did he take out Massa?

Massa's accident was in no way related to the touch at the hairpin.

[Pierce89]

I have no idea where you are from,but in the U.S. racism is a serious topic and Lewis's remarks would be considered quite tasteless.

This might be difficult to understand, but the US is not the world. Nor is it that large a percentage of the F1 viewers figures. Lots of mpeople find things funny that septics don't. Having watched US "humour" on TV I'm not sure the US is in any position to give lessons on humour to anyone.

USians don't like Lewis's humour? Tough, go invade a poorly defended, oil-rich nation while you get over it...

Give up the effin lie. Lewis wasn't joking until he realized he slipped, then he made a poor joke trying to cover it up. Do you really have that much of a problem with all Americans. I'm no Republican, yet you bring up oil and wars in an f1 forum. Quite pathetic.

[Tamburello]

Hamilton is THE BOSS.
he opened up a can of woop ass on shumacher into turn 1. Overtake of the year.

Don't hate the player hate the game.

It was another reckless move. He was lucky to get away with it because Schumi took a wide entry and didn't bother to cover the inside line like a normal defender in that corner.

Two drive through penalties and being directly responsible for ruining a good chance for his teammate to win the race, says it all.

We want clean overtaking moves, not torpedoing into other cars. Kobayashi and even Webber showed how it should be done around Monte Carlo.

[archiebald]

Pierce,
don't be so touchy.

I'm a Brit but I've lived overseas for the last 20 years. I have traveled to dozens of countries and always enjoyed hearing the light hearted racial joking that helps break the ice in many countries. Even when I have visited South Africa I have been amongst blacks and whites making racist jokes in mixed groups.

There is nothing quite so touchy as an American when they start getting politically correct. What you have to understand is that the rest of the world doesn't have 200 years of slavery and segregation on their collective concience like many Americans do.

It is not a big issue so why make it one?

[jaslfc]

My 2 cents
Hamilton tried a audacious overtaking move on both massa and maldonado. However its a racing incident. let it be. I think the stewards made a mistake by penalising de resta for his overtaking manoeuvre and put in place a precedent.But to the defence of the stewards there is a fine line between a racing incident and a reckless overtaking manoeuvre. Therefore, all penalties should be given out after that race. Let the stewards review the footage and make a informed decision and not one rash decision during a race where they have to make a decision on the spot.

What was unacceptable was his media interview. FIA and Mclaren should punish him heavily for his accusation. It is immature in his part to "BLAME THE WORLD" for his frustrations.

[HampusA]

That said, Alonso is the best driver in F1 by far. He is so complete it's almost scary.
Hamilton and Vettel are still rookies, give them a few years to enter their prime which Alonso is in now.

Without getting trying to get into the whole Hamilton/Alonso in equal cars thing, I think Hamilton showed that he had more raw pace than Alonso in 2007 (let's not forget Hamilton has almost certainly got faster since then). Whilst I'm not an Alonso fan, I do have a lot of respect for him. Perhaps a more complete driver, but IMHO that doesn't make Alonso the better driver in all situations.

The incident that Hamilton had with Massa today, and his interview after the race, show that he has a lot to learn. Alonso would have been better in those situations i believe.

Agreed, Vettel and Hamilton will shine here and there at the moment having som fantastic races but out of all situations that arise, Alonso is the one who handles them the best most of the time.
That´s why at least for me i have to put him at nr1, as the most complete or "best" driver at the moment.

Raw speed or the "fastest" driver is Hamilton no doubt, and by quite a margin.

[HampusA]

Vettel has had his bad races. He seems to take it on the chin and accepts the blame. I don't recall him ever trying to transfer the blame when he was at fault.

Just wait until the RBR isn´t superior anymore. It´s very easy to stay neutral when you have a car that is above everything else on 4 wheels at the moment.