Driver Lewis Hamilton is the best driver in F1. Discuss

ralf fan · 11 Jul 2010, 16:22 (Ref:2724971)

Even after his 2008 title it could be argued that Alonso was a more complete driver.

But the way he has driven in 09 and so far in 2010 Hamilton has surely surpassed everyone. Tremendous skill is one thing but he is now combining it with the maturity of a veteran. His driving this season has been sublime and he is able to eek out great results with not the best car and able to capitalize on his rivals' misfortunes. Yesterday's qualifying which set up today's result being the perfect example.

It is looking more and more likely that with a car half a second slower than the Red Bulls he will be world champion this year and deservedly so.

*Gets popcorn.*

NeilB · 11 Jul 2010, 16:27 (Ref:2724975)

I think Alonso has the overall edge in terms of being the best all round driver in the paddock. Lewis showed the area he needs to develop more in Australia, where he was relying on the team to make decisions for him, rather than calling the shots himself.

**Born Racer** · 11 Jul 2010, 16:28 (Ref:2724976)

I would say he is now, yep.

pannenmann · 11 Jul 2010, 16:31 (Ref:2724977)

There's not much to discuss. Hamilton is just astonishing. A natural racer, fantastic speed and great instict of when and how to overtake (or take otherwise advantage). Alonso never really was a match for him, even when Hamilton was still a rookie making rookie mistakes, he cracked him up. Plus he is very stable and strong character-wise, more than most F1 drivers. Self-centric enough but not losing touch with reality. Ruthless when necessary, but at the same time foresighted (most of the time). If nothing awful happens, he will stay there for a long time. Probably being the first successor of Schumacher.

ascarracinguk · 11 Jul 2010, 16:38 (Ref:2724979)

up until this year id say it was alonso (as much as it pains a brit to say so!!) but after all hamiltons troubles last year hes matured so much, from someone with astonishing speed, to someone who is not just quick, but can manage a race, tyres, fuel, can overtake.....and keep a level head when things are going wrong. to me that makes him the best driver in f1 at the moment....likewise alonso has slipped in my estimation....he looses his head too easily these days. vettel is quick, just like hamilton, but can drive like a moron sometimes and seems to spit the dummy out.....but ive do doubt he will mature just like hamilton.

so yeh hamiltons the best in f1 at the moment

MrTTraces · 11 Jul 2010, 16:46 (Ref:2724982)

No!

Thread Closed!

JamesH · 11 Jul 2010, 16:54 (Ref:2724988)

Thead Open!

I thought his decision to back off at the first corner in the race today, rather than continue to burn up the inside as I think he would have done in previous years, shows how much he has improved as a top flight driver.

Best in F1? Dunno.

Knowlesy · 11 Jul 2010, 17:14 (Ref:2725000)

The best by an absolute mile.

deeks6 · 12 Jul 2010, 02:08 (Ref:2725183)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

The best by an absolute mile.

... but did you see the race (s)?

rocketracer · 12 Jul 2010, 02:51 (Ref:2725194)

Hamilton this year, is reminding me of his driving in his championship year of 2008.

That year, the ferraris seemed to be the quicker car (certainly throughout the first half of the year), but they never seemed to maximise points, were squandering chances by making mistakes, and whenever there was a sniff, hamilton was on it, scoring wins. That has been his strength, which hasnt gone amiss.

In terms of weaknesses, a question mark in the past was probably held over his arrogance, and the need to be managed. But i think he's proven he is smarter than that, and proof, as strider mentioned, is how he has learned from Jenson this year in many ways. That has really added to his driving. I do find him immensely impressive.

However, in the ebb and flow of driver form, i dont think Alonso is really that far apart. kubica also (although, he still isnt a known quantity in the heavy end of a championship fight).

I guess the best gauge would be who would you choose to drive for your team. And it would be hard to argue against Hamilton as no.1 pick.

Knowlesy · 12 Jul 2010, 09:39 (Ref:2725317)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeks6

... but did you see the race (s)?

Yes.

N.A-D.R · 12 Jul 2010, 10:40 (Ref:2725354)

hes not the best. but he'd be in top 5.

Alonso, Vettel, Kubica, Schumi (hes the best, just not anymore because hes past his peak) and possibly Webber.

old man · 12 Jul 2010, 11:13 (Ref:2725372)

This interesting discussion is purely subjective from where we all sit but I admire the way he has learned to control his race, has apparently learned from Jenson and his sheer speed is awsome given the lack of testing now allowed. I believe he was right to not have his father as manager as there is no more biased person than a drivers Dad, ask any junior Karting driver. That bias leads to poor advice where the actual racing is concerned and may have been the reason for the arrogance that we now percieve has reduced.

Alonso on the other hand is showing the Latin temperament and his "no more radio" instruction yesterday shows, IMO, that he is too easily distracted. Being at Ferrari is not what he thought it would be because of the sheer rate of development in other teams and as a team I think they are missing the calming influence of Brawn, the genious of Byrne and the constant test and reject process that they had in the past at Fiorano.

We always said that this would be a great season

ralf fan · 12 Jul 2010, 13:21 (Ref:2725464)

Quote:

Originally Posted by N.A-D.R

hes not the best. but he'd be in top 5.

Alonso, Vettel, Kubica, Schumi (hes the best, just not anymore because hes past his peak) and possibly Webber.

So you'd put him behind Schumacher, Webber and Vettel?

mac · 22 Jul 2010, 00:07 (Ref:2730400)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

The best by an absolute mile.

This is wrong - IMO of course.

I think I would probably say he is currently consistently the best driver in F1, and certainly some of the things he achieves are just mesmeric.

However, I think on their day Alonso, Vettel, Webber and perhaps Button, Kubica and Rosberg can be a match for him - and perhaps shade him on occasion.

This does not constitute an absolute mile.

However, he has become a far more complete driver over the last two seasons - to the point where, yes, if I had to pick one driver it would be Lewis.

wnut · 22 Jul 2010, 01:00 (Ref:2730406)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac

This is wrong - IMO of course.

I think I would probably say he is currently consistently the best driver in F1, and certainly some of the things he achieves are just mesmeric.

However, I think on their day Alonso, Vettel, Webber and perhaps Button, Kubica and Rosberg can be a match for him - and perhaps shade him on occasion.

This does not constitute an absolute mile.

However, he has become a far more complete driver over the last two seasons - to the point where, yes, if I had to pick one driver it would be Lewis.

Balance at last -well done.

Would not look nearly as good if he had taken his front wing off on Vettel's rear instead of just puncturing Vettel's tyre.

I think he is currently the best racer at the moment and would probably shine if the FIA got rid of the aero. He has also had a dream run at the hands of the stewards this season and I think his team mate was pulled off him and he was allowed to win the race.

He is a good hard racer!

JamesH · 22 Jul 2010, 08:08 (Ref:2730497)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnut

Would not look nearly as good if he had taken his front wing off on Vettel's rear instead of just puncturing Vettel's tyre.

Have you any idea of the amount of skill LH displayed just doing enough to puncture that tyre without damaging his own car - if nothing else that shows how good LH is. 1cm either way would have resulted in a completely different scenario. Now that IS superhuman skill at 180mph.

On the other hand, it could just have been an accident, and LH isn't a superhuman alien intelligence from Betelgeuse IV, just playing with us mere human's - a bit like the Predator, but with more cars, and less, er, skin.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 22 Jul 2010, 12:16 (Ref:2730593)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesH

Have you any idea of the amount of skill LH displayed just doing enough to puncture that tyre without damaging his own car - if nothing else that shows how good LH is. 1cm either way would have resulted in a completely different scenario. Now that IS superhuman skill at 180mph.

That almost sounds like it was deliberate.

Super Hans · 11 Jul 2010, 17:34 (Ref:2725006)

Yes.

He's F1's Leo Messi.

Andy77 · 11 Jul 2010, 17:44 (Ref:2725013)

By the amount Hamilton gets preferral treatments lately he will be champion at the end of season. But that isn't making him a better driver than Vettel or Webber this year

Knowlesy · 11 Jul 2010, 17:52 (Ref:2725019)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy77

By the amount Hamilton gets preferral treatments lately he will be champion at the end of season. But that isn't making him a better driver than Vettel or Webber this year

Uhoh.

**Born Racer** · 11 Jul 2010, 23:18 (Ref:2725148)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy77

By the amount Hamilton gets preferral treatments lately he will be champion at the end of season. But that isn't making him a better driver than Vettel or Webber this year

Play on.

Hendrik · 11 Jul 2010, 17:46 (Ref:2725014)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Yes.

He's F1's Leo Messi.

He's more like Marco Materazzi.

**Born Racer** · 11 Jul 2010, 17:51 (Ref:2725017)

Who do you think is, MrTTraces?

MrTTraces · 11 Jul 2010, 18:41 (Ref:2725042)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Who do you think is, MrTTraces?

I'd have to say Button is

Seriously I think he is, he's smooth and consistant. Today he proved it from his poor grid slot.

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