No more "old" Lewis?
by Craig Normansell with others, on Oct 19th, 2011Everyone remembers that bright early morning in March 2007, when the Australian Grand Prix announced the arrival of a one Lewis Hamilton. Fresh from winning GP2, he quickly established himself as a driver to watch with a a catalogue of blistering drives and a World Championship in 2008.
That's the Lewis Hamilton we love, but after a tough year, and a glum Korean weekend, we're asking;
"Will we ever see the "old" Lewis Hamilton again?"
From happy go lucky....
...to down in the dumps - Photo Credit: Sutton
We have a selection of fan entries to debate the topic this week, and first guest Scrutineer is...Steve Poutney, from Thetford in Norfolk!
I must confess I'm a Lewis fan, but despite his team giving him their support and a competitive car in Korea, he still lost the keys to his toy box following his Pole position lap. For sure, Lewis has issues, we all have issues, but none of us want to be seen self-flagellating on live television in front of millions.
Lewis, if you have problems off the track, keep them off the track, else after another display like that, Uncle Martin will tie your toy box keys and your dummy together with a length of string (actually, probably kevlar cord) and thread them through the sleeves of your racing overalls.
Lewis has shown flashes of brilliance this season, think of how he whupped Vettel in China, but whatever issues he has, he has been about as consistent as the National Rail Service. Vettel has been as precise and fast as the Japanese Shinkansen Bullet Train. Lewis has been more like the Norwich to London service, cranky and having no idea of a timetable (Jake Humphrey, I bet you don't use this service!).
Only Lewis can answer the question of 'Will we ever see the "Old" Lewis again?'. If he can put all his problems behind him, then he should come back a faster, stronger, more mature racer.
We all want to see the exciting "Old" Lewis back, but it isn't up to us. Only Lewis himself can bring the "Old" Lewis back from the dark place he is currently in.
A nice train metaphor from Steve there! But, do you agree?
We put the question out on Twitter too, and here's some responses;
@fakewhitmarsh It not just Lewis who's changed, racing has changed, thanks to Pirelli...
@gregcityrocker really worried that lewis is becoming the new montoya. Shame cause lewis is better than that (but so was montoya).
@ian911tiger lewis is just growing up to realise money, success, gorgeous g/f and fame etc come at a price! He'll get over it
Up next is...Davin Sturdivant, from somewhere, judging by his time difference, on the other side of the world!
Ridiculous.
I can't believe how many people think that they have psychology degrees when analyzing Lewis Hamilton's current form. Lewis has a poor season, and pundits act like he’s two steps away from throwing himself in front of a moving car.
The reason why Lewis Hamilton is that he’s not winning. The man’s a racer. That’s been his LIFE, since he was 5 years old. His existence is based on it.
His form against Sebastian Vettel? – A loss, because his car wasn’t fast enough when it mattered early on. Either that or his team made poor strategy calls. Sebastian is taking in what Lewis feels like should be his limelight. Jenson had it in 2009. Sebastian had it in 2010, and now has it again in 2011.
His form against Jenson Button- A loss, because Jenson has the value of experiencing what it’s like to be cast-aside. His cool head makes him easier to not get worked up over a poor race weekend, because deep down Jenson knows he has a good car/team under him.
His form against the media- A loss, because of his frustration with his current form. He can’t seem to say the right thing, at the right time. Maybe that’s down to a lack of management.
When Lewis starts to win again, we’ll see the old Lewis.
Broken down into bitesize chunks, Darvin has rationalised Hamilton's troubles - good work!
Our third and final Scrutineer for this week is...(drumroll)...JC Hennessy, from Lancashire!
Will we see Lewis Hamilton get 8 podiums, with 2 wins again? Yes. Will we see Lewis Hamilton, as the hard charging, from the heart, fans living the dream through his driving etc.? Yes. Will we see Lewis Hamilton win another World Championship? Yes.
I accept that with Hamilton. We all, I feel, want to see the 'old' Hamilton. Spectacularly charging through to win, it appeals to us fans, doesn't it? Though will it happen! The success, of good results will come, as will the hard charging, with more championships, all at the same time?
We have to accept that this might not all happen all at once. 2012 and 2013 will be interesting but I think we will see the "old" Hamilton. Before too much of Button may rub off on him and THAT Hamilton will win, for sure! I also think there's life in the "old" style too.
All valid points from everyone who contributed this week, but what do you think? Are outside pressure beginning to take their toll on the former World Champion, or is it just a reaction to criticism from the press? Let us know below!
Don't worry if yours didn't make it - there'll be another chance next week to be a guest Scrutineer!
Comments and Discussion
It's just a poor season.
The guy has been managed to within an inch of his life since he was 5 years old for crying out loud!
Now he is a proper grown up he is being treated as a proper grown up and as we all know in life this can be a difficult transition. Fortunately for most of us we get to do that on our own away from a world audience with cameras watching our EVERY move.
He has had allot of pressure and some undue negativity, I stress some, on the track he should not be affected like this but he; as we all have done, has taken his personal life to work with him, but then I know from experience it's difficult not to.
Something else as food for thought, Lewis hasn't changed much, undoubtedly he hasn't lost any of his skill, but could it be that those he is now racing against are of a slightly higher calibre, where as once he was the defacto standard, now he has higher benchmarks to work against!
One other final thought, a lack of refuelling and and less durable tyres means he cannot go to a race and do 50 or so qualifying laps. When you look at Hamilton's wining form in the past that is how he treated a race. Last year was the first year he couldn't and he suffered, Vettel, Button, Alonso and co all took what they learned from last year and applied it to this year, he hasn't been able to do so in the same fashion they have as it is polar opposite to his previous driving style.
In closing, the old Lewis doesn't exist, he is the same born to race guy that scores him fans and enemies in equal amounts, we don't need a Lewis of old, we need a new Lewis who is just happy to race at the highest level of sport and win..
P.S all of the above is written by a JB fan who appreciates the driving charisma of LH, JB isn't perfect either.
P.P.S @JC Hennessy, i have a Communication Studies and Psychology A-level if that counts?
I'd just like to say that I didn't make the point on Psychology, Davin Sturdivant, did. I'd also like to say, Looking at what I've read, geeksandlies, you, as well as others have made good points.
Being open minded on this, one good point may be worth making for some people is: Form is temporary; class is permanent. Hamilton has class and will return. Though, this may not quite by addressing the original point, as such. He's a winner. The point to me is, will the same style be there. If I look back at this next year with Lewis going for the title, in the same style as 07/08. I'll be delighted.
Ooops my bad, was only meant in tongue and cheek, sorry about that.
Hehe. Thanks for featuring my mail, but you called me DARVIN in the end.
. Also I'm from Seattle,WA USA. Sorry for excluding that in my mail.
He seemed better when his dad was managing him.
Ok, no problem...
Lewis will get back on top; his speed is still blisteringly evident.
Despite his allegedly 'bad' season (only 2 wins this year...some people would KILL for that!) he still seems to have 3/10s on JB in terms of pure pace at most GP venues.
OK, so the Red Bull was faster this year and Jenson dealt with that fact better than Lewis; he is MUCH more experienced - I mean, he had to drive the Honda Earth Car (the poor sod!)
Lewis will win his second championship as soon as he is handed a reasonably competitive car at THE BEGINNING of the season.
Come on McLaren sort it out, or our boy will begin to look elsewhere for some decent hardware.
Will we ever see the old Lewis again? You bet. Honestly, is there any other driver that is as exciting to watch as Lewis?