Official: Hamilton gets second seat - Page 4

**Bononi** · 27 Nov 2006, 10:51 (Ref:1775789)

Quote:

Originally Posted by outflat

Ron Dennis has said his colour is an irrelevance, and rightly so.

That would be scaring if it was any different. But what scares me, is to think that still there are people who think so...

MrTTraces · 27 Nov 2006, 11:05 (Ref:1775797)

I'm not being racist, i'm just questioning how much of this was 'marketing' driven (as most businesses are). I would horrified if it had been.

I like hamilton and think he'll do a great job in F1, I just think it would better to give him a years testing to get used to the car then give him the race seat in 2008.

neilap · 27 Nov 2006, 13:43 (Ref:1775896)

...I know because Kimmi needed a year of testing...

Ofcourse race is an issue! Maybe it did not determine him getting into the seat but I am sure the risks vs. rewards of having a mixed race person in the car was considered. This is the world we live in. There are people who will hate the fact that he is there and may even try to make his life difficult. However, I am confident its his professionalism and speed that got him the seat, nothing else.
One thing for sure, if he flops there will be much more questions about Mac's reasons for racing him.

davyboy · 27 Nov 2006, 14:22 (Ref:1775928)

I don't think Ron's making 'politically correct' statements, I genuinely do not think Lewis' race came into the equation at all. He really is the strongest rookie outside F1 at the moment and has been a protoge of McLaren since he was in karts. If you were Ron Dennis, who would you have chosen over him ? Its fairly easy for us involved in motorsport to understand that because we've seen Lewis excel through the ranks, but I do appreciate that some people who only read the newspaper headlines on F1 may look at it more cynically. Expect a lot to be made of this aspect of the story. That's just the world we live in. However I don't see it as a problem at all... because when Lewis does bed in... everyone will see quickly enough what he can do behind the wheel.

He's always been a very exciting driver to watch, ever since his kart days, and I can't wait to see him behind the wheel of a McLaren. Roll on 2007 !

**Bononi** · 27 Nov 2006, 15:18 (Ref:1775950)

That's the world we live, yeah, and we can do nothing about it, no, we can.

If there will be people willing to make his life harder just because of the color (see, scientists confirmed there's only one kind of race in the human being.) of his skin, which by the way looks pretty white too me (but I'm certainly some people won't see that way), they certainly will be dissapointed by figuring out he can do very well.

Alan Raine · 27 Nov 2006, 16:08 (Ref:1775975)

I don't think colour comes in to it. IMHO Hamilton is very, very good. If he wins in a McLaren, Ron Dennis won't give a stuff what colour he is.

Good luck to the lad

chillibowl · 27 Nov 2006, 16:57 (Ref:1775988)

even if he loses in a Mac, Ron wont care what colour he is.

Alan Raine · 27 Nov 2006, 17:15 (Ref:1775996)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillibowl

even if he loses in a Mac, Ron wont care what colour he is.

True. I should have written my last post a little bit better than I did!

Leighton Irwin · 27 Nov 2006, 19:42 (Ref:1776069)

Let us see! Prince Bira was "of colour". Alex Yoong was "of colour". Umpteen Japanese drivers were and are "of colour". Ever look closely at Juan Montoya? That sure isn't pure Spanish descent. Who gives a #%%$#@? As far as McLaren and I am and most others are concerned is how good he is!!!!

Frank_White · 27 Nov 2006, 22:08 (Ref:1776178)

Well Ladbrokes seem to believe its nigh a certainty that he'll win a grandprix in 2007. The odds in their special are extremely stingy. If Lewis wins in 2007 for every 4 you put up you get 5 back.

In bookie terms that means they consider a first year victory extremely likely.

Kieran20 · 27 Nov 2006, 22:17 (Ref:1776185)

this is good news for british motorsport and hamilton. i hope he steps up to the challenge and wipes that smile of alonsos face.

gd luck hamilton!

Rich R · 27 Nov 2006, 22:31 (Ref:1776201)

I don't think there is a better time for Mclaren to blood Hamilton than now, with so many other teams having young drivers in there cars as well, and attention not just on TGF(ret). One thing for certain is there will be a few reputations made and broken next season.

formula1fan · 29 Nov 2006, 22:02 (Ref:1778121)

Who cares if he is black? It isn't colour that matters, it's raw talent, and Lewis has got raw talent.

Narain Karthikeyan is black (sort of!), and nobody said anything when he signed for Jordan in 2005.

Good luck in 2007, Lewis!

**Bononi** · 29 Nov 2006, 23:41 (Ref:1778184)

Quote:

Originally Posted by formula1fan

Narain Karthikeyan is black (sort of!), and nobody said anything when he signed for Jordan in 2005.

I thought he was blue...

dsg · 30 Nov 2006, 00:50 (Ref:1778214)

I think Lewis' entry into F1 will be somewhat like Tiger Woods entry into professional golf. The both got there on pure talent and as with Tiger I see that Lewis’ race or heritage will be utilised as part of his marketing.

Lets hope his success parallels Tigers as well.

newoutsider · 1 Dec 2006, 08:31 (Ref:1779278)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTTraces

I'm not being racist, i'm just questioning how much of this was 'marketing' driven .

That statement in itself says that you are.

The truth is Lewis has proven just how good he is and is in F1 on merit - his colour is just an added marketing bonus - exactly like Tiger Woods as it opens the door to a whole new target audience

**Bononi** · 1 Dec 2006, 11:35 (Ref:1779420)

Quote:

Originally Posted by newoutsider

That statement in itself says that you are.

The truth is Lewis has proven just how good he is and is in F1 on merit - his colour is just an added marketing bonus - exactly like Tiger Woods as it opens the door to a whole new target audience

I have to agree partially because I believe there's no new target audience.

newoutsider · 1 Dec 2006, 13:44 (Ref:1779488)

Bononi,

my personal view is that motor racing has a very, very small following among afro-caribeans and that the arival of Lewis will, inevitably attract some interest, new fans and so new market. I may be quite wrong, but that is my belief

**Bononi** · 1 Dec 2006, 14:44 (Ref:1779536)

Quote:

Originally Posted by newoutsider

Bononi,

my personal view is that motor racing has a very, very small following among afro-caribeans and that the arival of Lewis will, inevitably attract some interest, new fans and so new market. I may be quite wrong, but that is my belief

Again, that's why I partially agree. Fair enough.

chillibowl · 1 Dec 2006, 16:57 (Ref:1779663)

Quote:

Originally Posted by newoutsider

That statement in itself says that you are.

i disagree and thats a pretty unfair assesment imo.

to ask if a decision was made on a marketing point is absolutly a fair question and i think MrTTraces was correct in bringing it up so big ups to him for broaching such a difficult subject.

if you have two drivers both capable in the car you naturally look for what else one can bring to the team over another. in this case i agree LH brought more to the table then PDR, both in terms of potential and marketing (not because he is black but becasue he is British - and blind adhearance to nationality is just as dangerous racism). so disscussing what people believe is the nature of that split is totally fair game and we should be able to make such points without people only responding to a portion of a post and throwing out the "racist" tag on someone they dont even know.

BootsOntheSide · 1 Dec 2006, 19:21 (Ref:1779782)

I remember noticing at the USGP in 2005 that several of the angry fans interviewed by ITV were black, and I can think of a few black members on here, so I'm not sure F1's support is any lower among that group than it is among whites.

Anyway, I think Lewis is already as capable as Pedro, and should be more capable by the start of the season, let alone 4-6 races in. He really looks like the real deal, fantastic in everything he's driven. His ethnicity might've got him a foot in the door at Mercedes (they, not McLaren, are the possible beneficiaries of his appearance), but he'd've been kicked out long ago if he'd failed to perform.

luke · 2 Dec 2006, 11:48 (Ref:1780260)

Well I've foud a new favourite driver. Although I like many more...Finally it looks like we have a British driver that has the potential.

Knowlesy · 2 Dec 2006, 15:10 (Ref:1780350)

It's great isn't it?

Lewis has so many of the qualities I look for in a driver as well. Hard charging, fighting, daring. He can make the odd mistake here and there, but I've never minded that really.

He and Alonso will make an exciting and refreshing pairing.

luke · 2 Dec 2006, 18:19 (Ref:1780433)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

It's great isn't it?

Lewis has so many of the qualities I look for in a driver as well. Hard charging, fighting, daring. He can make the odd mistake here and there, but I've never minded that really.

He and Alonso will make an exciting and refreshing pairing.

Sure is! I haven't been this excited for Melbourne in March this early for many years. 2007 is the dorning of an exciting new and refreshing era of Formula 1.

Its suprising in a way that Lewis is probably my favourite F1 driver and he hasn't even raced yet. But he is as you quite rightly pointed out already Knowles, a great hard charger. his grit and determination and great at racing and promise is exciting already when thinking about 2007. I can see myself being one of the first people to buy his Mclaren replica hat etc. Then his diecast when its launched....I don't want to say he'll be a winner yet. I hope just hope the British public and journalists especially don't get too carried a way and give him added pressure to be a winner even before the cargo planes land at Melbourne.

And yes, him and Alonso will be an exciting paring at Mclaren. Similar to Felipe and Kimi at Ferrari.

I don't mean to go off topic, but I doubt Renualt will win even multiple races next year with Fisi and Hekki. Unless Fisi shows new and found form as Fernando has left.

JeremySmith · 2 Dec 2006, 20:20 (Ref:1780480)

Lewis Hamilton is a star in the making for McLaren, I cant wait to watch him race...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hamilton enters frame for '07 McLaren seat	chunterer	Formula One	157	13 Jun 2006 16:13
Lewis Hamilton	Jensen	National & International Single Seaters	51	30 Jul 2003 20:49
Hamilton: - Just getting better and better	Frank_White	National & International Single Seaters	23	22 Oct 2002 05:45