Planet-F1

Oh Lewis, What Have You Done

Saturday 30th August 2008

There is an unwritten rule in F1 which goes along the lines of 'do not compare yourself to Michael Schumacher unless you wish to be mocked'. Sadly Lewis Hamilton doesn't appear to have read that one...

Send us your views to: letters@planet-f1.com

The Ego Has Landed

Ron Dennis should step up like a qualified boss should be and have his "employee" put a sock in it.

Lewis seems to have a problem with "foot in mouth disease", I hope Ferrari continue to make him look silly like the start of the Hungarian GP... what was it you said about you and your opponents abilities?

How quickly he forgets or perhaps he is a "slow" learner (remember who lost the championship last year). Do us all a favor and do what they pay you to do... shut up and drive.
Gary Wagner, Washington, USA

...Another race weekend, and yet another stupid comment from the witless wonder that is Lewis Hamilton.

"I'm no No 2, whoever you put me next to - even Michael Schumacher."

Lets see... 7 times world champion that broke more records than any other driver, scored more points, more wins, more podiums and more pole positions.

Hamilton has problems driving his car without destroying his tyres in the process, to the extent that earlier this season Bridgestone advised McLaren / Hamilton to make an extra pit stop because they didn't think the tyres would last due to his driving style. I don't remember Schumacher having to do this. Similarly I don't remember Schumacher driving into someone in the pit lane either.

I have no doubt in my mind that Schumacher would beat Hamilton on the track, just a shame Hammy / plastic boy isn't racing at the race of champions this year then we would know for sure who is better - mind you... Race of "Champions" says it all.... Grow up Lewis... and shave those damn sideburns too..
Jason Garbutt, Romford, UK

...Who does Lewis Hamilton thin he is?? How dare he compare himself to Michael Schumacher! Let him win something first before mouthing off, there are far better drivers on the grid than him!!!
Christopher Williams

...Just when LH draws some sympathy in Valencia after accepting defeat, he has to open his mouth again to say something stupid.

Funnily enough, Lewis could have raced Schumi on the last GPs of 2006, but Ron Dennis thought it could break Lewis' confidence.

Felipe Massa HAS raced Michael Schumacher and got the better of him in few occasions, even while having the Number 2 label.

And he has remained humble, that is something for LH to learn.
Tulio, London

...Michael! Please come out of retirement and shut this arrogant, bigheaded boy up, for the sake of all of us who have to listen to this rubbish everyday!
Chetna Vara

..."I'm no No 2, whoever you put me next to - even Michael Schumacher."

Seriously; this guy has an ego of a mountain that'll take him to lowest of lows. In my humble opinion, he's no way near to be Schumi's no 2 or 3 or even a million.

I am not discounting his efforts, but history only remembers champions, and he is not because he just doesn't fit the bill of a one.

A champion would be rather modest, humble while pulling out the heroics in the circuit and won't copy he team-mate settings in his rookie season and comes out and say "'Hang on, I'm no No 2". Of-course you're No 2 for Alonso dude.

Personal advice for Hamilton: "Get a life".
Mahmood, NY

Oh Kimi
We had a bet on before the European GP for which lap Kimi would wake up and start putting in hot-laps far too late to have any impact, but to save him from a thorough slagging off in the post-race review.

As James Allen put it, "Sixteen laps to go here at Valencia, and Kimi Raikkonen has woken up...".

I'm just getting a little bit tired of Kimi being so disappointing - the man is meant to be defending a World title and supposedly is the fastest raw driver on the grid.

Wake up, Kimi!
Stuart Taylor, London, UK

Move On And Let Go
Alright that's enough. If I hear one more person whinge about Massa's pit lane penalty (or lack thereof) I think I might puke.

First of all can anyone provide any occasion when cars being released side by side had ever been an issue before? Cars have been being released like that ever since pit lanes were made wide enough allow it. I cannot blame people for feeling there is a slight Ferrari bias in F1 as during the Schumi/Todt/Brawn days it was pretty blatant, such as Michael exiting pit lane in Canada and slotting in at the head of the queue and that BS Silverstone win from the pits - I could go on. But in this case I can't see anything but anti-Ferrari sentiment if anything. There should have been no investigation and no fine.

As for those mentioning racism it is time to grow up. Hamilton is a superstar and whether or not he likes to admit it being black and being so successful has drawn in a whole new audience to F1. In a time when the FIA is trying to take the sport more global with races in Bahrain, China etc Hamilton is a godsend for them. They will help him all they possibly can - although he is in a McLaren.

But while we are on the subject of favouritism does it seem slightly odd to anyone else that during an engine freeze all of a sudden Ferrari have more horsepower and worse reliability? That suggests an engine modification to me. Maybe the FIA should forget this pit lane rubbish and have a good hard look at some engine specs...
Edward Foster

As For Claims Of Favouritism
To all of you who claim that Ferrari are favoured by the stewards above all other teams, especially McLaren: remember that the GPMA was threatening a breakaway series over funding from TV rights and McLaren-Mercedes was part of that. At the time Ferrari pledged their allegiance to F1 and it would appear that this has something to do with how they are treated.

You looked after us, we'll now look after you.

However, after Valencia, even though I have been a Ferrari fan for 30 years I have to say I think they need a 2 race ban for having an unsafe pit setup. No matter how good a semi-autonomous system is, it cannot replace the common sense of a man facing his car and looking down the pit lane.

Long live the lollipop man!
Pete, London

Which Leads To Comments On Sir Jackie

I have much respect for Jackie Stewart's accomplishments as a driver, but as a commentator on the sport he has become increasingly blinkered and biased, and thus, at times, it is difficult to take his comments seriously; especially his comments regarding Ferrari or their drivers.

Have you ever known Stewart to say anything positive about them?
Hemant Mistry

...Surprise,