Sir Jackie : Lewis Hamilton "complacent"

duke_toaster · 18 Mar 2008, 18:59 (Ref:2155845)

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/n...et_killed.html

Well, I guess he is kinda right, the GPDA would be much stronger if LH and KR joined. However, lack of TC did not any major incident in that race.

Chiefy · 18 Mar 2008, 20:53 (Ref:2155948)

I will defend Lewis Hamilton's right to choose on this issue (despite not being a massive Hamilton advocate (I'd call myself "Lewis neutral")).

If JYS knows there are several young talents not on the GPDA, then I figure it's a fraction unfair to impose this pressure on one man, irrespective of Hamilton's "position".

On the plus side, at least someone (Pedro de la Rosa) has filled the hole left by the departing Ralf Schumacher. Let's be positive!

ss_collins · 18 Mar 2008, 21:00 (Ref:2155958)

Is this JYS just making a noise for the sake of it again???

Chiefy · 18 Mar 2008, 21:02 (Ref:2155960)

To clarify what I said, I'm not against JYS being opinionated at all. Hopefully no-one will assume I'm anti-Stewart just because I think he might be wrong this time!

**Adam43** · 18 Mar 2008, 21:15 (Ref:2155974)

Yes, Lewis can do what he likes with regard to this issue. The beauty of a free world.

BootsOntheSide · 18 Mar 2008, 21:27 (Ref:2155982)

I think Jackie is panicking far too much about safety. A lot of work has been done since 1994, and since the last time cars raced without driver aids. Only 1 of the 3 big crashes at Melbourne can be attributed to not having driver aids - Glock caught a bump in the grass and DC defended the corner too aggressively. The GPDA is better served by having experienced drivers as its main panel anyway.

MGDavid · 18 Mar 2008, 22:00 (Ref:2156014)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

Is this JYS just making a noise for the sake of it again???

I was about to say the same !

thejester · 18 Mar 2008, 22:12 (Ref:2156021)

I think it's absolutely fair enough for Sir Jackie to put a bit of pressure on LH to get involved in the GPDA, and put safety on the agenda. Hamilton is the highest profile driver in the sport, no question, and his ability to direct media attention could be of great value when advocating driver safety issues. And, as Sir Jackie says, drivers themselves have to be at the forefront of safety advocacy, as they're the ones in danger! Complacency is dangerous. Nobody should doubt that deaths are still possible in F1.

Does Lewis have the right to free choice regarding involvement in the GPDA?
Absolutely.

Should he consider very seriously what Sir Jackie is saying?
Absolutely.

Super Hans · 18 Mar 2008, 22:41 (Ref:2156040)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejester

Does Lewis have the right to free choice regarding involvement in the GPDA?
Absolutely.

Should he consider very seriously what Sir Jackie is saying?
Absolutely.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

People always tend to criticse JYS for being outspoken, but when you're a legendary figure in the sport, people tend to ask for your opinion, and rightly so.

ensign14 · 18 Mar 2008, 22:44 (Ref:2156043)

Given the splendid way in which the GPDA dealt with Schumacher's driving ethics I'm not surprised Hamilton's not interested.

Ralf's Girl · 18 Mar 2008, 23:15 (Ref:2156053)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

The GPDA is better served by having experienced drivers as its main panel anyway.

Maybe, although I do wonder, if younger drivers won't join, who's going to take over when those more experienced drivers leave the sport? The current directors are Webber, Trulli and de la Rosa (who isn't even a race driver) - none of them are likely to be around for years and years to come, so it is important in that respect that the newer drivers get involved.

That said, it is a free choice - I think to suggest that somebody is going to be killed, and associating it with the young drivers not joining the GPDA, is a bit excessive. Thankfully safety levels in F1 are now higher than they have probably ever been, and whilst I don't doubt that that's in some part due to the work of the GPDA, drivers have to be given a choice as to whether or not they join. Perhaps in the months and years to come, Hamilton (and this goes for Rosberg and the other drivers that the current GPDA directors are trying to attract) will reconsider and decide to involve himself in the running of the GPDA, but he should do that because he feels he has an important contribution to make rather than because he feels pressured to do so.

**Bononi** · 19 Mar 2008, 00:09 (Ref:2156085)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

Yes, Lewis can do what he likes with regard to this issue. The beauty of a free world.

...with all its consequences.

**Bononi** · 19 Mar 2008, 00:16 (Ref:2156092)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Stewart

“That's how Francois was killed – he was cut in half. If you have ever seen that you want the barrier further back. That is why the GPDA is important and why Lewis should be in it. I have the highest respect for Lewis – I think he is the best thing since sliced bread, but he is inexperienced.

"Lewis is such a valuable asset to the sport. The media talks to him more than anyone else, and one of the reasons I got so much done in terms of safety was because I was 'the guy' at that time, but you have to prioritise your time. Lewis might have to do commercial appearances for Hugo Boss or whoever, but nobody did more of that than I did.
“The moment somebody dies there is a new awakening. These guys don't know how to deal with a death; they have never been up close. They have never been to a body when it is still in the car, never had to identify a body, never had to pack that person's clothes because the wife or the girlfriend can't face it.
I pray they never have to learn that, but the law of averages says that when you are doing 200mph, millimetres apart with mechanical failure or human error, you are going to have an accident. Nowadays that's a plane crash. So far we have been incredibly lucky, [but] we are on the slate to have a big shunt.”

Man, this is deep serious... I stopped supporting drivers when all those guys were being killed because of this. He knows what he's talking about and he's right. All the old guys around here, who watched F1 prior-90's, knows he's right.

Sultan · 19 Mar 2008, 00:39 (Ref:2156109)

Without JYS, there would never have been a GPDA with the sort of clout to pressure tracks to become safer & therefore save lives.. (which it certainly did).

His opinion in cases like this have more relevance than any one else living in this sport...

JeremySmith · 19 Mar 2008, 01:20 (Ref:2156132)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultan

His opinion in cases like this have more relevance than any one else living in this sport...

There it is..