CycleChat Investigates - Lewis Hamilton

[Beebo]

If we were designing the perfect knighthood system, I'd rarely give one to F1 drivers. Multiple World champions in real sports - yes, I can understand them being almost a shoe-in. But F1 is not remotely inclusive, and has a serious fossil fuel problem; it's not a sport we should be pushing kids towards, or celebrating beyond the engineering/economic factors.

He needs to leverage his status for something more positive, in my personal view.

I think he’s fitter than you think. His fitness will be that of an athlete. His mental ability and concentration is amazing.
The fossil fuel argument is mute. Yes the sport is about driving petrol cars very fast, but they have made huge strides in developing smaller leaner engines and hybrid technology.
The overall carbon footprint of F1 and the overall carbon footprint of golf or tennis is probably very similar once you factor in all the players jetting off around the world to every match all the supporters driving to the venues. A few gallons of petroleum used to make the cars go round is nothing in the overall scheme of things. And they are ultimately benefiting the general car manufacturers.
I suspect that the whole series will go electric in 20 years time. Or worse it could go on line as an esport.

 

[screenman]

yebbut Murray and Wiggins are actual athletes. [Best not to watch Wiggins on a pundit sofa when you read this.]

Of course Jenson was not one of the best triathletes in the country whilst being a top racing driver.

 

[matticus]

I think he’s fitter than you think.

I knew I'd get at least a nibble on that one.

 

[Sniper68]

I knew I'd get at least a nibble on that one.

I once did a track day a Donnington in my Biking days.When I came off I was pi$$ wet through and my legs were shaking like a shatting dog At the speeds they drive/ride you have to be both physically and mental fit

 

[Beebo]

Does anyone know quite why Nigel Mansell CBE was so popular? Was it because he battled so hard for a single win, where as Hamilton has won multiple times and makes it look too easy.
The Health and Safety was frighteningly poor and I remember watch this live as a teenager thinking it was brilliant stuff. It makes me wince now looking at that.

View: https://youtu.be/CMW0FyiS8I4

 

[Reynard]

Motor racing - like with a lot of other sports, is about being in the right place at the right time.

I've been a motor racing nerd since 1982, and I'll admit that Mansellmania kind of rather passed me by. And if people complain about Lewis Hamilton's moaning, they've very obviously forgotten said moaning, whingey brummie...

And in my defence, Mansell was not what you'd call a schoolgirl's pin up.

 

[matticus]

I once did a track day a Donnington in my Biking days.When I came off I was pi$$ wet through and my legs were shaking like a shatting dog At the speeds they drive/ride you have to be both physically and mental fit

Yebbut they're not unfit 1st timers; they do it 10 times a year (4+ sessions innaa weekend), plus some testing.
(and they start age 10, which helps).

 

[Sniper68]

And in my defence, Mansell was not what you'd call a schoolgirl's pin up.

He probably would have been in the early 70s when the Porn-star 'tash was cool

 

[Reynard]

He probably would have been in the early 70s when the Porn-star 'tash was cool

I think you win the internet with that one...

 

[screenman]

Yebbut they're not unfit 1st timers; they do it 10 times a year (4+ sessions innaa weekend), plus some testing.
(and they start age 10, which helps).

Out of interest what extremely high level of physical fitness have you achieved, cycling alone would certainly get you any where near fit enough.

 

[matticus]

Out of interest what extremely high level of physical fitness have you achieved, cycling alone would certainly get you any where near fit enough.

Pretty awesome, thanks for asking! But I think something went wrong in your words above, I'm genuinely not understanding your 2nd clause

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

He's a superb racing driver. There was a race recently where he was suffering from flu during qualifying. He looked like death warmed up and was clearly very unwell. His qualifying times were mediocre by his standards and he ran to the loo to be sick IIRC. He then got in the car, did one lap and absolutely nailed it, fastest lap, pole position on the grid. He parked the car then ran straight to the loo again.

Whatever you think of current F1 cars, he has proven again and again that he is the best in his field by a considerable margin so I'd say yes, he deserves recognition and a Knighthood would be appropriate.

But he is a tw@t.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Does anyone know quite why Nigel Mansell CBE was so popular?

To me it's because he never gave up it never seemed to matter if it seems pointless he drove to the end of each race like there was still a chance he could win

 

[marinyork]

Does anyone know quite why Nigel Mansell CBE was so popular? Was it because he battled so hard for a single win, where as Hamilton has won multiple times and makes it look too easy.
The Health and Safety was frighteningly poor and I remember watch this live as a teenager thinking it was brilliant stuff. It makes me wince now looking at that.

As phaeton said.

Mansell was also got very good results at the British grand prix (especially if you knock out the retirements), in contrast to many other British drivers. Sure even from the same era John Watson won it once, beforehand Hunt won it once, Stewart a couple of times and so on. It's sometimes argued that Jim Clark (five wins at the British Grand Prix before he died) was popular for the same reason.

In Mansell's era it's noticeable there were other British racing drivers that weren't particularly liked or got the success. Derrick Warwick, John Watson and Jonathan Palmer (he was terrible on tv). You can sort of see why people would have liked Mansell.

Lewis Hamilton has an amazing record at Silverstone like Mansell and Jim Clark.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

I always liked David Coulthard - who won twice at Silverstone - but he was another who had to have everything "just so" to be at his best. I think he was better racing than qualifying. He's turned into a good commentator too.

View: https://youtu.be/s-ReqE4lkAw


This is my favourite Coulthard moment - I roared with laughter at the time

View: https://youtu.be/sTbwhhn-rr4