Dennis: Lewis not as obsessed with F1 as Senna

Wednesday 19th November 2008

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has downplayed suggestions that Lewis Hamilton is the new Ayrton Senna, saying he is not as obsessed with the sport as the former World Champion.

Hamilton has admitted that he models his driving style on that of the late Senna saying: "I do crazy things that others wouldn't do and I feel like I have an edge, too. I feel I share something with him."

Dennis concedes that both are "totally committed to winning", but says the major difference between the two is their off-track personalities.

"Both have the same total commitment to winning," Dennis is quoted in Autosport magazine.

"When you worked with Ayrton it was always on the basis of 'When is he going to disappear next?'

"He loved going back to Brazil. It was just endless long phone calls because he would think and think. He would make a big list and then you'd spend hours on the phone going meticulously through it.

"With Lewis it's very different. He's at the company normally once a week. All the drivers have intense periods in our simulator. Because he's there, I probably won't speak to Lewis on the telephone more than twice a month. So it's a very different relationship.

"Ayrton was so obsessed with F1 that it was to the detriment of his private life.

"There were very, very few other interests. Model aircraft were pretty much his only distraction.

"Lewis has a diverse range of interests. He loves music, he spends a lot of time with his brother and he races radio-controlled cars. He loves relaxing.

"I don't know how much he likes working out but a hell of a lot goes on. That is something very different between Ayrton and Lewis. Our drivers all have personal trainers who are with them 24/7. They are very intense programmes."

Hamilton is often criticised for being "cocky", but Dennis says the World Champion is a "thoroughly nice guy" who "likes to keep himself to himself".

"I don't want to contribute to Lewis being perceived as anything other than what he is - a thoroughly nice guy who doesn't have any disrespect for the people he competes against," Dennis said.

"He has two or three guys he really gets on well with, like Nico Rosberg and Adrian Sutil. But he likes to keep himself to himself - he doesn't want to participate in some of the social things the other drivers do.

"That isn't from people disliking or liking him, but it is how he approaches his life."

Your Comments

stephenmg

"What is it with these Hamilton haters? So much anger and animosity it's pretty unhealthy. And on top of that it�s not particularly entertaining to read in fact it's very sad. What are you? Some spotty angst ridden teenager who�s not happy with their lot? If not you should take a look at yourself and simply ask yourself, why?"

dkpioe

"Its pure arrogance for an any driver to compare themselves to Senna. Even greats like Schumacher, who is one of the more arrogant of them all wouldnt disgrace the Senna name by comparing himself to him, its totally disrespectful. Its ok saying your a big fan of the great man, but comparing yourself is just selfish nonsense, He will never be Senna, and is probably a worse driver then him, its almost like he compares himself to Senna so that he does get more attention.

@cliveed - you are an idiot full stop, ask your self how Hamilton became champion, ferraris errors, not lewis talent. Massa was a better driver, but the best driver did not win."