Formula One ( F1 )

For the record, I've never doubted his ability. His petulance and self-entitlement on the other hand...

About Vettel - that's hilarious.

Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on becoming the number one British F1 driver in pole positions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_polesitters#By_nationality

I wish people would shut up about that, it really does mean nothing.

Out of the 73 races Jim Clark entered he got pole 33 times. Hamilton has entered almost double the number of grand prix and got pole one more time. It's a bit like saying that brussel sprouts are twice as good as broccoli because they cost half as much, this is true but sprouts leave a bad taste in your mouth; somewhat like Hamilton's childish behaviour and "celebrity" lifestyle.

With B&D on this one.

What Vettel had is now happening to Hamilton. The best car. Well done to him for all the poles & wins etc. but I can't stop laughing at his futile and ridiculous attempt at concealing his hair loss. Will it be the combover next?

Best thing about this weekend was watching Vettel get beat. The Kobayashi thing was hilarious. I think Vettel might be descending further into a bitter and spoilt little temper tantrum. Which is great. Maybe it will humble him a bit.

Also enjoyed the Williams wheel banging bumper car antics off the start. Great stuff.

I've not seen it mentioned so far- how on earth did Massa get that start without jumping the gun?

He looked like he'd been flung up the grid from a steam catapult.

Bobbo, James Hunt's celebrity lifestyle left a bad taste in no-one's mouth, so why is Lewis singled out for the ire that he faces? I don't think all sportsmen should be humble and quiet. I think the world is big enough for brash ones too.

....Hamilton.....I can't stop laughing at his futile and ridiculous attempt at concealing his hair loss.........

Funny, I was thinking the very same thing myself. The Charlton brothers (Bobby and Jack) had no place in the world of sports either - the bare effrontery of showing their follicly challenged bonces to the nation. They should have been locked up.

Hanging is too good for these shiny headed people.

Bobbo, James Hunt's celebrity lifestyle left a bad taste in no-one's mouth, so why is Lewis singled out for the ire that he faces? I don't think all sportsmen should be humble and quiet. I think the world is big enough for brash ones too.

James Hunt had one thing that Lewis will never have - charisma.

James Hunt had one thing that Lewis will never have - charisma.

This.

James Hunt had one thing that Lewis will never have - charisma.

But Lewis Hamilton has the ability to one of the all-time greats. James was good, but wasn't in the "exceptional talent" bracket.

Of course - the only reason he beat Lauda was because Lauda couldn't contend.

and he has had a movie made about him. does wonders for how you are remembered

Fair point.

Lewis is really only worth a mini-series. The subtext could be entirely about the folical challenges he had during his F1 career.

Jensen Button had a period when he was a bit shit and just ragged around in powerboats - he then matured and won the World Championship.

I think Lewis has more speed than Jensen probably does, he just needs to grow up a bit and bin the faux American accent that he's been developing recently.

Mrs jaw doesn't like him because he looks and sounds weird. I think she's not far off.

He's a fast driver and he's surprising me so far this year with his consistency. The sheikhs are not gonna be happy if they carry on like this come November...

Please don't make out Jenson won the world champtionship by being a great driver.

I make no secret that I'm a massive Lewis fan boy... But I think he is the most talented driver this country has ever produced.

He is an arrogant guy, difficult to like, but he has a winners mentality. He's lightning fast, can overtake and defend better than anyone else on the grid and has matured his driving style through the last two rule changes to suit each.

You have to say though... The move to mercedes was inspired, no one would ever argue that.

During the move, eve don't labelled him as a money grabber seeking the highest paid seat.

I'm not, Jensen was in the right place at the right time (which is a skill in itself, without it you'll never win) and had the sense to grasp the opportunity that presented itself.

He was good enough to win the World Championship, in that car, at that time- that's unarguable.

James Hunt had one thing that Lewis will never have - charisma.

This.

Oh so much this. Lewis Hamilton has the charisma of a Stevenage estate agent, which is funny because that's what he would probably be if it weren't for Ron Dennis.

But Lewis Hamilton has the ability to one of the all-time greats. James was good, but wasn't in the "exceptional talent" bracket.

IMO non of the current crop of drivers are likely to be considered all time greats. Sure the pundits will say things like this but that is mostly to flatter the delicate egos of the drivers so that they can get interviews.

These days drivers are essentially components of the car, the main people responsible for success are the designers and factory engineers.

Of course - the only reason he beat Lauda was because Lauda couldn't contend.

I remember reading somewhere that Hunt wanted to win the drivers championship and after doing so lost his drive somewhat.

and he has had a movie made about him. does wonders for how you are remembered

He was a fucking legend before the film and still is after its release.

Please don't make out Jenson won the world champtionship by being a great driver.

I make no secret that I'm a massive Lewis fan boy... But I think he is the most talented driver this country has ever produced.

He is an arrogant guy, difficult to like, but he has a winners mentality. He's lightning fast, can overtake and defend better than anyone else on the grid and has matured his driving style through the last two rule changes to suit each.

No Jenson won the championship by being the best driver in a Brawn GP car.

Lewis the most talented British driver? Bull. Shit. That list goes like this:

1. Jim Clark
   
2. John Surtees
   
3. Jackie Stewart
   
4. Stirling Moss
   
5. Nigel Mansell's moustache
   
6. Lewis Hamilton
   
   
   

You have to say though... The move to mercedes was inspired, no one would ever argue that.

During the move, eve don't labelled him as a money grabber seeking the highest paid seat.

Nope the move to Mercedes was pretty petulant and childish, as I said before Ron Dennis and McLaren gave him a pretty nice life that he could not have done by himself. I may actually have respected the man child if he had stuck it out and helped the team rather than throwing various strops and telling the world about his future music career like the cunt he is.

Totally agree with Jim.

LH does polarise opinions, which is one sign of a great, in my book.

Helped them do what? Scrap for the minor points?

Repped Mansell's moustache

Button is a damn good driver, but his value to Brawn was his ability to test and develop the car and the patience to write off a season in an uncompetitive car to do so.

Lewis is phenomenally talented. He could and should have won the championship in his rookie season but for his team cocking it up for him. I'm not sure that the number of drivers who even won a race in their first season is that high. But does he rely on that talent a bit much rather than work at it? I think he could be as successful as Schumacher if he put as much development work in as Schumacher did, but I doubt he ever will.

But Lewis does not have the charm, charisma that Button has. He just seems like a nice guy, whereas Hamilton seems like a bit of a twat.

Hunt also exuded an easy charm, but he won his championship by hard work and ferocious determination, and yes, by benefitting from Lauda's enforced absence.

Mansell was another driver who turned a modicum of talent into greatness by sheer effort and determination, recovering from a broken neck on the way. He was one of the few drivers who refused to be intimidated by Senna. Not so charismatic, but he won a lot, complained about it afterwards and we loved him for it.

Lewis is phenomenally talented. He could and should have won the championship in his rookie season but for his team cocking it up for him.

I thought it was more like him beaching it in the gravel on the pit lane entry in Japan. All his own doing. At least that's what I remember.

He beached it in China.

Because his rear tyres were down to the canvas and he had no grip. He should have been pitted several laps earlier