Lewis Hamilton F1 Champion 2019

Andyk · Nov 4, 2019

zagatoes30 said:
It might not be the type of car he is familiar with but I would lay money after a few laps, the odd spin here and there he would have got the hang of it and be on the pace. The basic inputs are the same and the feel doesn't change, once they get the feel for waht the car is doing then they can exploit the potential. They all do it, even the also rans in the current races, and they are all very good it's just the likes of Hamilton & Senna in his day just do it a bit better than the others

And you could throw this on its head and say a Senna era driver would struggle with today's cars. Both are very different.

Vampyrebat · Nov 4, 2019

I think what Sparts is trying to say is that the cars back in that era were a lot more engaging and a lot more work was evolved in getting the car around the track. I remember Mansel getting out of the car after a race and looking totally fcuked!! And when interviewed he would still be out of breath....... Mind you he always drove the b0llocks out of all the cars!

Lozzer · Nov 4, 2019

Spartacus said:
With all the drivers aids these days I don't think he is anywhere near the greatest driver ever . Plus he comes across as such a nob . Put him in a F1 car from Sennas era with a manual H box and see if he could get anywhere near his lap times round Monaco . He'd probably break a nail the poor luv.

Hamilton even drove Sennas 1994 1200hp manual car with next to no downforce and said that he could n't even imagin trying to drive on or anywhere near the limit . There is your answer .

Apply that to another discipline and you're saying a Typhoon FGR4 pilot is no where near as talented as say a Tornado pilot? C'mon man.......
I'm not a big fan of the guy btw, brilliant driver but his off track lifestyle choices rub me up a bit, he has "that chip" on his shoulder.

FIFTY · Nov 4, 2019

This old vs new debate can go on forever

Sadly time does not stand still and the formula has moved on. The cars are now faster than ever which requires an elite level athlete with the aptitude of a fighter pilot to drive them in anger...

Different era has contrasting demands on the body and mind

Congratulations to Mercedes-Benz AMG F1 team (I think there is a "Petronas" in there somewhere) and Lewis Hamilton. Truly inspirational level of dominance on the sport for the past 6 years

rockits · Nov 4, 2019

I'm not a fan of Hamilton as a person I don't think but have not met him and don't know him so not well placed to judge.

I can't argue with his achievements or ability though. Top draw and that has to be respected.

I don't think he is at the level that Senna was especially in the era of those older lower tech cars. Mansell and Senna gain a little more respect from me as they were totally fearless in much more dangerous times.

I'm sure we have all seen this but highlights this a little:

Devonboy · Nov 4, 2019

Sort of agree and disagree...6 titles and for me, he has been the complete package this season....I am salivating at the prospect of closer racing next year...if he makes it 7 in 2020 - for me , he will be better than Senna or Schumacher....

rockits · Nov 4, 2019

I'm not sure podiums, wins or titles always tell the whole story. Of course you can't argue with 6 titles. I don't think the best driver can win 6 titles in a naff car though. However a driver that wasn't the best would have a much greater chance of winning titles in the best car.

The whole and complete picture of course includes the team/resource around him assisting and also the decisions made at the right times. To be at the right team in the right car at the right time has been critical to his success.

Some of the decisions against Senna were laughable back then. No bias at all! The man was a flawed genius but also amazing to watch.

Hamilton is indeed the complete package of course...maybe too much so. I tend to find myself watching Max with a little more interest though.

zagatoes30 · Nov 4, 2019

Vampyrebat said:
I think what Sparts is trying to say is that the cars back in that era were a lot more engaging and a lot more work was evolved in getting the car around the track. I remember Mansel getting out of the car after a race and looking totally fcuked!! And when interviewed he would still be out of breath....... Mind you he always drove the b0locks out of all the cars!

Back in the day I use to work, maybe volunteer is a better word, for an British F3 team. Mansell was one of the drivers, the man had absolutely no mechanical sympathy, once at Donnington he smashed the car in first practise, the mechs rebuilt it and got him out for second where he got pole and then smashed the car again. In the race he completed one lap in yet another rebuilt car before smashing that as well. At Oulton we had a difficult gearbox, we brought the car back after the race with a bent gear lever, considering this was a 3" titanium lever that took some force, if he is what you are calling great I would have to disagree.

alfatwo · Nov 4, 2019

What ever, he deserved his 6th title, classy driver, just comes across as a bit of a mup!
Being of Italian descent we were always Michael fans!

Dave

Dave

allandwf · Nov 5, 2019

zagatoes30 said:
Back in the day I use to work, maybe volunteer is a better word, for an British F3 team. Mansell was one of the drivers, the man had absolutely no mechanical sympathy, once at Donnington he smashed the car in first practise, the mechs rebuilt it and got him out for second where he got pole and then smashed the car again. In the race he completed one lap in yet another rebuilt car before smashing that as well. At Oulton we had a difficult gearbox, we brought the car back after the race with a bent gear lever, considering this was a 3" titanium lever that took some force, if he is what you are calling great I would have to disagree.

Perhaps that's a good thing, concentrate on lines, braking etc. instead of wondering what every unusual noise may be.

conaero · Nov 5, 2019

zagatoes30 said:
Back in the day I use to work, maybe volunteer is a better word, for an British F3 team. Mansell was one of the drivers, the man had absolutely no mechanical sympathy, once at Donnington he smashed the car in first practise, the mechs rebuilt it and got him out for second where he got pole and then smashed the car again. In the race he completed one lap in yet another rebuilt car before smashing that as well. At Oulton we had a difficult gearbox, we brought the car back after the race with a bent gear lever, considering this was a 3" titanium lever that took some force, if he is what you are calling great I would have to disagree.

You see, I respect that. Driving on the edge, ok sometimes past it but the man was giving it 100%.

Vampyrebat · Nov 5, 2019

zagatoes30 said:
Back in the day I use to work, maybe volunteer is a better word, for an British F3 team. Mansell was one of the drivers, the man had absolutely no mechanical sympathy, once at Donnington he smashed the car in first practise, the mechs rebuilt it and got him out for second where he got pole and then smashed the car again. In the race he completed one lap in yet another rebuilt car before smashing that as well. At Oulton we had a difficult gearbox, we brought the car back after the race with a bent gear lever, considering this was a 3" titanium lever that took some force, if he is what you are calling great I would have to disagree.

I understand what you are saying Andy. But yes, I do think he was a great driver. I think Mansell and Senna gave us some of the most exiting races to watch!...........The cars were built with one thing in mind, to win races and championships at what ever cost and if that meant bending a car then so be it (IMO).

lifes2short · Nov 5, 2019

haven't watched F1 for quite a few years now, loved it in the 80's and 90's and all the scraps, find it boring now and too many prima donna drivers full of themselves, I see Hamilton is "battling demons now" since latest world title , what a load of poppycock

zagatoes30 · Nov 5, 2019

Not disagreeing with any of the comments about better racing back in the day, that was partly down to there being more flex in the rules and the fact that cars were generally more fragile and hence broke. These days in most motorsports the assumption is that the car will finish the race unless it crashes, even the 24hr Le Mans cars pit for less than 30 mins in the race and that includes refuel and tyres.

However for driver skill Hamilton is up there with the Prost, Sennas and all

elan · Nov 5, 2019

Always been a Senna then Button fan. I like the fact the Lewis came from a humble background and is in F1 on merit. A lot of the current drivers are in F1 due to famous or wealthy family!

philw696 · Nov 6, 2019

I'm a Rally Boy.

GeoffCapes · Nov 6, 2019

zagatoes30 said:
It might not be the type of car he is familiar with but I would lay money after a few laps, the odd spin here and there he would have got the hang of it and be on the pace. The basic inputs are the same and the feel doesn't change, once they get the feel for waht the car is doing then they can exploit the potential. They all do it, even the also rans in the current races, and they are all very good it's just the likes of Hamilton & Senna in his day just do it a bit better than the others

I think the difference between now and then is bravery.

Hamilton knows that his car is the best, the safest and in that knowledge he puts it where it needs to go on the track.

The likes of Senna/Prost and every driver before them, didn't have that luxury. They didn't know how the car would react at 160mph with a cross wind in the rain, they learnt that through 'feel' and balls the size of watermelons.

Saying that Hamilton would get the hang of Senna's car eventually is a decent point, but I bet Senna would get the hang of Hamilton's car and drive it far quicker round Monaco in the rain than Hamilton would even dare to think possible.

Would Hamilton be able to beat Senna in the rain (or dry) around Monaco in a 1200bhp 'death trap'? I very much doubt it.

Swedish Paul · Nov 6, 2019

So the drivers dying over the last few years in different formats were what? Just because the cars are safer doesn’t mean there is a huge risk. Driving in any formula you need balls of steel and this has never changed.

I really don’t understand that just because someone doesn’t fit in a pigeon hole, they are disliked. I haven’t seen Hamilton cheat like Senna, Prost or Schumacher. Deliberately hitting cars to win, and also endangering lives by doing so is really poor.

But we Brits are experts at supporting the underdog and then turning to dislike the more success people have.

FIFTY · Nov 6, 2019

lifes2short said:
haven't watched F1 for quite a few years now, loved it in the 80's and 90's and all the scraps, find it boring now and too many prima donna drivers full of themselves, I see Hamilton is "battling demons now" since latest world title , what a load of poppycock

Heavens forbid someone talks openly about mental health... a man at that... quickly lets ostracise him from society!

Money and success do not buy happiness or mental well-being

ChrisQP09 · Nov 6, 2019

It does take skill to drive an F1 no doubt, however the car and rules are some of the problems with the current state of F1. Reduce driving aids, re-introduce spectator thrills like in-pit refuelling and watch viewing numbers soar!

When a sport becomes predictable for 5-6 years running, it's time to switch it up!

Lewis Hamilton F1 Champion 2019

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