Sir Jackie : Lewis Hamilton "complacent" - Page 2

**Aysedasi** · 19 Mar 2008, 16:50 (Ref:2156599)

Surely 'bonehead overtaking moves' have been part of Grand Prix racing since the year dot - if you stop those we'll be back to the sanitised nonsense we've suffered for years......

**Born Racer** · 19 Mar 2008, 17:55 (Ref:2156630)

Four race drivers are not part of the GPDA.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65893

duke_toaster · 19 Mar 2008, 18:23 (Ref:2156640)

I do think it would be sensible for the other guys to join, especially given the advent of the first floodlit race and events in Fuji last year ...

Alan Raine · 19 Mar 2008, 18:32 (Ref:2156645)

If I remember correctly Jacques Villenueve didn't join. Just wasn't interested.

**bella** · 19 Mar 2008, 18:33 (Ref:2156647)

being members of any clubs is a risky business. you are instantly branded with all the club's opinions and ideas regardless of whether you believe them or not. on the basis of some of the dubious nonsense that the gpda has come out with in the past, i can completely understand if some drivers don't feel able to sign themselves up for a set of beliefs they might not support.

Chiefy · 19 Mar 2008, 18:58 (Ref:2156660)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Then, it was too late to reserve things...

Maybe we need another weekend too late to reverse things again...

I have to say I disagree. The suggestion that we need another weekend like any during which a driver is killed is not a very good one. I appreciate your comment might have been tongue-in-cheek, but what's the innuendo here? That Lewis Hamilton could be held responsible if someone is killed at the next GP, because he didn't sign on the dotted line and start campaigning for a safer F1?

Lewis Hamilton is happy where he is, I'm quite sure. Like Raikkonen, he just wants to race. Remember that quote "...if they don't like it, they can always go and do something else" from Kimi? I would say Lewis is inexperienced, and yet he's enjoying great car performance and a great life - for why should he wish to be standing alongside DC as he laments the best safety standards motorsport has ever seen?

I think a lot of British fans want to see Davidson in a half-decent car, Button winning more races and Coulthard shutting his mouth - but because DC does drone on so much, we cannot escape talk of making F1 yet safer. I'm sure Hamilton's contribution wouldn't make much more of a difference, and I also think that to campaign for "a safer F1" as we perceive it might go against his will to just get out there and race.

Let him be, I say.

zac510 · 19 Mar 2008, 19:11 (Ref:2156672)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Surely 'bonehead overtaking moves' have been part of Grand Prix racing since the year dot - if you stop those we'll be back to the sanitised nonsense we've suffered for years......

Quite true

Charlies · 19 Mar 2008, 19:16 (Ref:2156676)

No one disputes that F1 has the best safety standards of any series in the world, the average club racer is at greater risk, but as has already been mentioned this season sees two new street tracks, one to be run at night, and a united front from the drivers might be necessary if there are problems.

To say Hamilton's presence wouldn't make much of a difference is wrong. In discussions with the FIA, I'd have thought the solidarity of the highest profile driver and the reigning world champion would help.

Ralf's Girl · 19 Mar 2008, 19:20 (Ref:2156682)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

being members of any clubs is a risky business. you are instantly branded with all the club's opinions and ideas regardless of whether you believe them or not. on the basis of some of the dubious nonsense that the gpda has come out with in the past, i can completely understand if some drivers don't feel able to sign themselves up for a set of beliefs they might not support.

I think you're right - the drivers who aren't members might not want to align themselves with the GPDA, and I don't see it being a problem as long as they contribute when necessary. For example, if what de la Rosa says about Hamilton always being helpful with any safety issues that arise is true, perhaps there's no need right now for him to be "officially" involved. It should be his decision to make - the implication that a driver who doesn't join the GPDA doesn't care about safety is very wide of the mark, IMO.

Chiefy · 19 Mar 2008, 19:40 (Ref:2156694)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

I think you're right - the drivers who aren't members might not want to align themselves with the GPDA, and I don't see it being a problem as long as they contribute when necessary. For example, if what de la Rosa says about Hamilton always being helpful with any safety issues that arise is true, perhaps there's no need right now for him to be "officially" involved. It should be his decision to make - the implication that a driver who doesn't join the GPDA doesn't care about safety is very wide of the mark, IMO.

Seconded.

JamesRamone · 19 Mar 2008, 20:20 (Ref:2156722)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Four race drivers are not part of the GPDA.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65893

Can anyone explain why these 4 choose not to be part of the GPDA ?

I'm not having a go at them, i'm just interested in what they gain from not being in it, as opposed to the other 18.

Cheers

thejester · 19 Mar 2008, 21:15 (Ref:2156750)

Well, if I'm being cynical...

The GPDA has a similar function to a union or a guild, uniting drivers to present an opinion that may be partially or even wholly contrary to the wishes of the FiA or the teams. Perhaps McLaren has let it be known to Hamilton that they think it would be in his interest to concentrate on team duties, rather than getting involved in politics.

I know, I know, I'm being provocative. This wouldn't account for Kimi. But on some level...??

duke_toaster · 19 Mar 2008, 21:17 (Ref:2156753)

Er, Pedro DLR is president so it's unlikely McLaren don't approve of the GPDA.

foedude · 19 Mar 2008, 21:21 (Ref:2156759)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Yes, give him a break, but not for being an idol and valuable for the sponsors, they should have all the time they need. Maybe a couple of deaths later, he will have experience enough to deal with that sort of thing.
It's not a time issue or a experience issue. There's a huge difference in terms of what he's representing now in F1, even only in his second season due to what he has achieved in the track and with the audience, and any other driver that has been there for almost 15 years. He has the choice to not get involved in the politics or in the administration of the GPDA, but he should become a member and have a say in everything that is done, because he's a public person and right now certainly the one with most exposure to the media, and this is not because he has beautiful eyes, but because he is a talented driver, admired for that, and this has a weight to all who will listen to him, nobody can deny this.
It doesn't take his time but definitely demands character.

You can't suggest that because Hamilton has decided not to be part of it at the moment people will die can you ?? look it's the promoters & FIA'S job to make the racing as safe as possible (instead of trying to pressure Aussi into a night race) and sure why not let the drivers have a say and put foward their idea's if they want, DC is the perfect advocate for them his experience and knowledge undeniable and he has everybody's respect, Hamiltons profile will only grow as he gains more wins when he gets to the level DC is at in terms of his contibution to F1 then demand this of him for now leave him alone to get on with his JOB the one Mclaren are paying him for.

**Bononi** · 19 Mar 2008, 21:35 (Ref:2156764)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

I have to say I disagree. The suggestion that we need another weekend like any during which a driver is killed is not a very good one.

No, it was not a suggestion ? Does it sound like one ? If so, I'm sorry for not being clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

I appreciate your comment might have been tongue-in-cheek, but what's the innuendo here? That Lewis Hamilton could be held responsible if someone is killed at the next GP, because he didn't sign on the dotted line and start campaigning for a safer F1?

No, again. Not even for an inch. I can't believe you could you read it between the lines. Think of a bigger picture, instead of focusing in the kid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

Lewis Hamilton is happy where he is, I'm quite sure. Like Raikkonen, he just wants to race. Remember that quote "...if they don't like it, they can always go and do something else" from Kimi? I would say Lewis is inexperienced, and yet he's enjoying great car performance and a great life - for why should he wish to be standing alongside DC as he laments the best safety standards motorsport has ever seen?

I think a lot of British fans want to see Davidson in a half-decent car, Button winning more races and Coulthard shutting his mouth - but because DC does drone on so much, we cannot escape talk of making F1 yet safer. I'm sure Hamilton's contribution wouldn't make much more of a difference, and I also think that to campaign for "a safer F1" as we perceive it might go against his will to just get out there and race.

Yes, now I see. Or better I have been seeing this as I did with others before.
I say, let him be, let Raikkonen and all others be the same way if they wish.
It doesn't matter really. Sir Jack is just an old man with old ideas, what good he could bring if he had lived in a different world then ?
You said everything in this last paragraph and this is what counts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

Let him be, I say.

I agree as I said before, I'm not against racing in the old way and I've been waiting for that for years and I'm excited with the perspective of more of what happened in Melbourne.
What could go wrong ?
It's time for a new champion.

**Bononi** · 19 Mar 2008, 21:39 (Ref:2156767)

Quote:

Originally Posted by foedude

You can't suggest that because Hamilton has decided not to be part of it at the moment people will die can you ?? look it's the promoters & FIA'S job to make the racing as safe as possible (instead of trying to pressure Aussi into a night race) and sure why not let the drivers have a say and put foward their idea's if they want, DC is the perfect advocate for them his experience and knowledge undeniable and he has everybody's respect, Hamiltons profile will only grow as he gains more wins when he gets to the level DC is at in terms of his contibution to F1 then demand this of him for now leave him alone to get on with his JOB the one Mclaren are paying him for.

No, I didn't suggest that ! What makes you think so ? I'm sorry for not being clear enough. I'm sorry for mentioning his name. Let the kid race.

**Bononi** · 19 Mar 2008, 21:44 (Ref:2156772)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

I think you're right - the drivers who aren't members might not want to align themselves with the GPDA, and I don't see it being a problem as long as they contribute when necessary. For example, if what de la Rosa says about Hamilton always being helpful with any safety issues that arise is true, perhaps there's no need right now for him to be "officially" involved. It should be his decision to make - the implication that a driver who doesn't join the GPDA doesn't care about safety is very wide of the mark, IMO.

Yeah, I don't think he should get involved. If he doesn't want to become a member, it's his choice and right. I support that totally. If he must concentrate in racing and that can disctract him, I don't want this to happen. I want him to win and become champion as soon as possible, certainly this year. There's no problem with that. He could say something about supporting GPDA actions, but hey, what for ? Not really really needed. He just a kid, with no experience at all, let the others do that. I'm pretty sure DeLa Rosa and DC can handle that, no probs.

I have changed my mind. It happens ! Let the kid race.

thejester · 19 Mar 2008, 22:16 (Ref:2156791)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Er, Pedro DLR is president so it's unlikely McLaren don't approve of the GPDA.

Yeah, but what PDLR does is of considerably less importance to McLaren than what LH does.

Chiefy · 19 Mar 2008, 22:55 (Ref:2156804)

I don't know about that. Considerably less important? Hmmm...

thejester · 20 Mar 2008, 00:18 (Ref:2156835)

Not a race driver. Much smaller media profile. Not the Great Black Hope.

I'd say considerably less important. But, hey, it's semantics.

foedude · 20 Mar 2008, 00:39 (Ref:2156842)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

No, I didn't suggest that ! What makes you think so ? I'm sorry for not being clear enough. I'm sorry for mentioning his name. Let the kid race.

I guess the statement "maybe a couple of death's later" might have given me that idea sorry if I interpreted that the wrong way.

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