Links: Hamilton on Senna

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Lewis Q&A Post-Japan
– Hamilton on Senna: “I never said that [I am a better driver than Senna] – and I definitely wouldn’t say it about Ayrton because he’s my favourite driver. I think he’s the best driver there ever was and, to this day, I still don’t believe anyone would beat him. If I could achieve just a small part of what he’s achieved, it would be a dream for me.”

JYS: Lewis cant afford more mistakes – “There’s an old adage, ‘You can’t win the race in the first corner, but you can lose it.’ And that’s exactly what occurred.”

ING F1 Racing Magazine Global Fan Survey 2008 – Similar to the defunct FIA fan surveys of 2005 and 2006. They’ve done a pretty thorough job with it, looking forward to seeing the results.

McCabism: New Labour and Formula 1’s Chief Steward – “Donnelly won a libel action against Business F1 magazine a few years ago. The case was presided over by Mr Justice Eady, who, coincidentally, presided over Max Mosley’s recent successful libel action against The News of the World.”

Speaker to probe Blair F1 claim – “Commons speaker Michael Martin said he would look into two Tory MPs’ claims of wrongdoing.”

Italian media wants Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, NOW! – “Was it really sensible to renew Raikkonen’s contract?. Kimi seems like a mechanic who has lost the operating instructions to his car. He now has two more races to help Massa and show that he still has the desire. If this run continues, Ferrari must make the call to Alonso.” There were similar reports about Raikkonen in the Italian press after last year’s Monza race, but of course he then went on to win the title.

Sebastien Bourdais given thumbs down by Formula One stewards not fit to judge – “In the 20 years I’ve been involved in F1 as a driver and spectator I don’t think I’ve seen so many penalties in one season. It’s political correctness gone mad. An important point is being missed: these guys are racing tooth and nail. Things happen when racing at 200mph. The drivers are gladiators in cars. It’s what they get paid for, what they enjoy.” Blundell is dead right about the F1 stewards. And it’s good to see he remembered he’s writing for the Daily Telegraph and therefore has to get the phrase ‘political correctness gone mad’ in somewhere.

What were the stewards up to in the Japanese Grand Prix? – “I had been planning to write this blog on how history is repeating itself and once again, after building up a solid title lead, Hamilton is faltering and his title hopes are starting to slither away. Then I thought about how a world championship contender can hit two cars in one race and still be helped along to a couple of points, while the best overtaker on the grid gets a penalty for simply racing. Well, it just makes me want the McLaren man to sock it to ’em.”

Reckless Hamilton should now take a history lesson in respect – “Manoeuvres that could be politely described as over-aggressive by Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, rivals for this year’s drivers’ title, shaped the outcome of the race and provoked the subsequent accusations and recriminations. Both were penalised by the race stewards. Deeper down, however, the real blame lies with those who allowed their predecessors to adapt motor racing’s etiquette in order to incorporate the kind of tactics that drivers of earlier eras would have seen as tantamount to attempted murder.”

Does Lewis Hamilton have any friends on F1 grid? – “Webber, Glock and Kubica have been very vocal in their criticism of Hamilton’s aggressive driving.”

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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8 comments on “Links: Hamilton on Senna”

  1. This to me has been leaked by some journalist wanting to stir up emotions amongst Brazilian fans before the Interlagos race in ten days time. Obviously, they will be rooting for their hometown boy, Felipe Massa, but any suggestion that Hamilton claimed he is better than Aryton Senna will clearly cause widespread offence.
    Senna’s death is still sharply felt in that part of the world, and if Massa does win the championship, he will be the first Brazilian since Aryton to do so. The stakes could not be higher.
    This is just your prefinal buildup by the media, the same as in football. You always read these kind of stories before a World Cup or Champions League final, why should F1 be any different?
    The joke is though, that Hamilton obviously has great affection towards Senna, and clearly sees him as a role model. The yellow helmet, the McLaren, the unflappable self belief in what he is about, the fearlessness. Sound like somebody we knew? But to say he was better?
    You are having a laugh guys, aren’t you?

  2. Completely agree with the limit. Even though Lewis has denied saying that he’s better than Senna, the damage has been done. Well, he has gained one supporter at least,me. Couldnt find anyone after Senna and Schumi but I think Lewis has the same desire they had ( and I’m not saying he is as good as they were). Good luck to him for the next two races.

  3. Hmmm, is this Hammy being agressive or the others realising they aren’t being agressive enough? Both Glock and Kubica have been pretty tough in dealing with opponents recently. And we keep saying how Webber never appears to do enough (though at least he does more than DC).
    I’m not saying the races should become 200mph Demolition Derbies, but come on, these are supposed to be the ‘top’ racing drivers in the world. They have presumably got there after being agressive enough to beat all the other drivers into the seats of F1 cars. Last year both Hammy and Alonso were cheered for driving the McLarens like karts, yet this year when Hammy tries it, he gets moaned at by the other drivers? I think Alonso wants to drive the Renault like a kart, but it doesn’t let him.
    If we aren’t careful we are going to get sucked into Max’s Nannystate F1 rules, where you can only overtake at prescribed places on the racetrack (presumably agreed by FIA, FOM and FOTA beforehand) at the allowed speed and in the correct colour car. With the arrival of KERS and the ‘push to overtake’ button very imminent, it will be possible for Max sitting in Geneva to see instantly which drivers are trying too hard.
    Please lets be sensible about this agressive driving – its only agressive if you aren’t doing it. And there is plenty of agressive driving to be seen in Touring and Sports car racing, once its banned in F1……

  4. There is not doubt in my mind that there exists a lot of resentment towards Hamilton by other drivers on the grid. They are often quick to criticize his actions and agree with any penalty he gets be it fair or not. And I believe some of this in born out of frustration.
    Many drivers on the grid do not enjoy the level of attention Hamilton is presently receiving and its creating a lot of envy. As such they are less willing to offer support to his side of an argument on any controversy that creeps up.

  5. Oliver: don’t forget how much drivers hate to be overtaken and Lewis has been the one doing the most overtaking. He is the new kid on the block. Schumacher on the other hand had a good 5 years to create his Ferrari powerbase and almost commanding the respect (and sometimes fear) of his fellow drivers. Right now as you say the other drivers are much more frustrated than respectful towards Ham.

  6. Lewis would never say this about his role model why would he? As the limit has said it will probablly be a Brazillian Journalist just saying this to stir things up for the San Marino Grand Prix.

    If lewis actually finishes on the podium next race and Felipe Massa is out of them then he will have won it. Hopefully this year he wont stay out on the same tyres for so long and keep it out of the gravel. If he doesn’t it will be a fight to the very last race. So that will be the only reason that the Journalist will be saying this at this point of the season.

    Good Luck to Lewis or Felipe :)

  7. It was not Brazilian journalist.
    It was german journalist who did interview with Lewis before last race. And there was few british journalist as well but they did not write anything about tat interview. I did read it in german and in english as well.

  8. Does Lewis Hamilton have any friends on F1 grid?

    I doubt it but that could be the way he likes it.

    Many successful sports men/teams purposely set out to be unpopular with their peers, the sense of me/us against the world can be a very important motivational & bonding tool.

    Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United manager for those who don’t follow football) is famous for bringing a sense of adversity into the dressing room, building up tension between the players & the press/opposition to motivate them.

    With all that’s happened at McLaren over the last two seasons they must have a hell of a lot of team spirit.

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