Hamilton Hysteria! (Merged super thread praising his progress, performance, etc)

gfm · 15 Apr 2007, 16:00 (Ref:1892067)

No doubt this will be one of many posts which will become amalgamated in praise of Louis Hamilton.
But I think what he did today was astounding.
Because, for me what he did do was
blow the doors off the Double World Champion.
That was really why Hamilton was punching the air at the finish.

That's what is significant about this podium finish/2nd place. Not once did Alonso show more speed than Hamilton this weekend and he must have had full technical knowledge as to where Hamilton's speed was.
I wonder what Alonso's lack of pace was actually down to.
The de-briefing sessions at McLaren will have been interesting.

Massa, Hamilton and Heidfeld were all pretty mighty today for me.

amier · 15 Apr 2007, 16:01 (Ref:1892069)

Stop adding fuel to the hype thats already surrounding him and let him get on with it...

Im sick of all this Lewis worship, he is a great kid, doing a very good job in a very good car!

Knowlesy · 15 Apr 2007, 16:47 (Ref:1892109)

Quote:

Originally Posted by amier

he is a great kid, doing a very good job in a very good car!

I'm sick of all this Lewis worship.

Obizzz · 15 Apr 2007, 16:49 (Ref:1892111)

LOL

Paulc · 15 Apr 2007, 17:22 (Ref:1892152)

At the start of the season the thought of a rookie walking away with the title seemed impossible I know theres along way to go but I'm going to stick my neck out here and say from what Ive seen he does have the ability in an F1 car to be this years champ,would this be a first for a rookie? Sorry for another Hamilton thread

.

SALEEN S7R · 15 Apr 2007, 17:36 (Ref:1892173)

Hmm, Hamilton F1 WDC in his debut year? Unlikely. A top 3 finish in the WDC is definately on the cards though. IMO.

Racer_kyle · 15 Apr 2007, 17:40 (Ref:1892180)

There's no reason why not, providing McLaren keep pace with ferrari. He's the match of Alonso anyway!

Hazard · 15 Apr 2007, 17:43 (Ref:1892184)

Nah, I believe Nino Farina was the first rookie champion

Inigo Montoya · 15 Apr 2007, 17:49 (Ref:1892190)

He has been Alonso's match in one race. The season is long. Maybe he has the right stuff, but its too early to tell.

amier · 15 Apr 2007, 17:55 (Ref:1892196)

Lets see how he does at Monaco, top 4 thats for sure.

JeremySmith · 15 Apr 2007, 17:58 (Ref:1892198)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I'm sick of all this Lewis worship.

He he...

Knowlesy · 15 Apr 2007, 18:50 (Ref:1892271)

Quote:

Originally Posted by amier

Lets see how he does at Monaco, top 4 thats for sure.

He is my tip to win at Monaco. You heard it here first.

maltafan · 15 Apr 2007, 18:53 (Ref:1892278)

I knew he was good, but I didn't imagine he was that good.

I do not think he will win the championship, but he will win a race and get top 3 in the championship

Hazard · 15 Apr 2007, 19:02 (Ref:1892295)

I reckon by Monaco he'll be so big for his boots he'll announce a move to NASCAR and Ron will drop him.

Who's with me?

Anyone?

Knowlesy · 15 Apr 2007, 19:03 (Ref:1892297)

*yawn*

Mr V · 15 Apr 2007, 19:08 (Ref:1892304)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer_kyle

He's the match of Alonso anyway!

For one race. Rubens occasionally matched Michael, Fisi occasionally Fernando, neither Rubens or Fisi have won a WDC. (so far ???

)

Not saying that Lewis won't win a WDC, i'm convinced he will, but to say he is the match of the reigning (2 times) WDC is a bit much. If Lewis finishes ahead of Fernando in the championship this year then, ladies and gents, we have the new best driver in F1.

Knowlesy · 15 Apr 2007, 19:10 (Ref:1892310)

What will be interesting is to see how he goes at tracks he actually knows. I don't think he's been to Sepang or Sakhir. Certainly not Melbourne.

As I say, I think he will excel at Monaco if he has a smooth weekend.

Obizzz · 15 Apr 2007, 19:31 (Ref:1892331)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

What will be interesting is to see how he goes at tracks he actually knows. I don't think he's been to Sepang or Sakhir. Certainly not Melbourne.

As I say, I think he will excel at Monaco if he has a smooth weekend.

This was the first track he had raced before (F3/GP2) and that might be why he was quicker than Alonso this weekend

Glen · 15 Apr 2007, 20:14 (Ref:1892397)

Not taking anything away from Hamilton, who is nothing short of amazing, but Alonso had a bad weekend for some reason - considering the Champion's exemplary record this must just be one of "those" weekends when nothing seems to go right. The kind of weekend that happens every once in a while to even the absolute cream of the drivers. What will be interesting is when it is Hamilton's turn for things not to quite run in his direction - how will he cope when he inevitably has a bit of bad luck?

I have to reiterate though - amazing stuff from Lewis. I honestly did not think it was possible to have such a good start. To make Alonso look ordinary is an exceptional feat, whatever the circumstances.

**Born Racer** · 15 Apr 2007, 20:27 (Ref:1892414)

Anyone who has seen enough of my posts on such matters knows of my dislike of team orders, so I hope Hamilton and Massa can keep themselves in the thick of the fight so that McLaren and Ferrari cannot really pick one or the other to put their weight behind.

I think Hamilton and Alonso may be quite close on talent (with Hamilton a prospect for the best driver in the long-term), whilst Raikkonen is better than Massa. But still, a 4-way tussle for the title is something that F1 would benefit massively from.

Glen · 15 Apr 2007, 20:44 (Ref:1892445)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

… 4-way tussle for the title is something that F1 would benefit massively from.

Strangely this is only likely if the team bosses genuinely cannot decide which driver has the better chance, which may well end up being the case. But as soon as one of the four gets a lead (say Kimi for example) then the other team will be forced to get their team (orders) in order (in that example McLaren would be forced to back Alonso, all else being equal).

Satorian · 15 Apr 2007, 20:53 (Ref:1892459)

While Lewis seems incredibly talented and skilled and I don't want to take anything away from his success, I wonder how he'll cope once things don't run as smoothly and when he'll have to live through a dry spell.

He's got the pace and so far he's had the cool, but does he really have the character to persevere when things get tough?

Knowlesy · 15 Apr 2007, 20:54 (Ref:1892461)

Well, he had it in GP2. I am hopeful it'll translate to F1.

Satorian · 15 Apr 2007, 21:07 (Ref:1892484)

But in GP2 he did not have the same media profile. The increased all-around stress of F1 aside, once the perpetually fickle motorsports press turns against him, and they've always been quick to push somebody up high to let him fall deep, how will he cope with it?

Knowlesy · 15 Apr 2007, 21:10 (Ref:1892492)

Well, we will find out sometime this year for sure! It will be fascinating to see.

His family and team will be a big help in such situations. He has a great set of mentors in Ron and his dad.

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