BBC Home

Explore the BBC

New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in

76 comments

user rating: 4 star

Hamilton signals intent

Formula One
by Andrew Benson (U1647787) 18 March 2007
comment on the article

It is easy to get carried away when a Formula One driver looks good on his debut, but there is no doubt that Lewis Hamilton announced the arrival of a pretty special talent with his performance in the Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton had looked good in the GP2 feeder series last year, and during winter testing with McLaren he appeared to have taken the step up to F1 in his stride, but you never really know about a driver until he deals with the pressure of a Grand Prix weekend.

However well prepared he feels he might be, a rookie can very easily be overwhelmed by the reality of F1.

There is the regimented timetable and the incessant demands on his time out of the car – whether from engineers who need debriefing, sponsors who need glad-handing, media who want interviews or even well-wishing spectators.

And then there is the reality of finally fulfilling a dream he has held since childhood.

In a sport where keeping total control over your reactions can mean the difference between success and hitting a wall at 150mph, the adrenaline rush and thrill of it all can easily become too much.

But Hamilton conducted himself in Australia as if he had been doing it all his life.

The rarity of his achievement can be judged by the fact that he is the first debutant to finish on the podium since Jacques Villeneuve was second to Williams team-mate Damon Hill in Australia in 1996.

But even though the Canadian – who went on to become world champion the following year – finished a place higher, Hamilton’s performance was more impressive than Villeneuve’s.

It wasn’t so much where he finished that made Hamilton stand out – although that was striking enough – it was how he did it, and who he did it against.

Success in F1 is about getting absolutely everything out of the equipment at your disposal.

Given that the McLaren was comfortably the second quickest car in Melbourne - and only one of the faster Ferraris was in with a shout at the front following Felipe Massa’s problems in qualifying - third is about where Hamilton should have finished.

Far, far more remarkable was his performance in comparison with team-mate Fernando Alonso.

This is the finest all-round driver in the world, a double world champion. Someone who last year took on and beat in a straight fight Michael Schumacher – who some consider to be the greatest ever, and who was certainly the greatest of his generation.

And yet Hamilton had the temerity to pass the illustrious Spaniard around the outside at the start, and make him work hard for the rest of the race.

You could count on one hand the number of drivers who could do that to Alonso in the same car, let alone on their Grand Prix debut.

It is important, though, not to get carried away.

Extraordinary though Hamilton’s debut was, it appeared as though Alonso did have an edge on him throughout the race.

Hamilton’s confidence in taking his car right to the limit on the Albert Park track, brushing the wall on his way into the daunting fourth gear left-right at the end of the back straight, was stunning to watch.

But it was notable that Alonso did not have to do that – he did not appear to be driving as close to the edge as his team-mate.

He appeared to be driving within himself to a degree, sitting back conserving his car from time to time, and could close on to Hamilton’s tail again almost at will.

It does not get much tougher than having Alonso as your team-mate. Hamilton has a lot to learn, and there will likely be as many downs in his debut season as there are highlights.

Yet there is no doubt Hamilton’s performance was more than just another impressive debut by another promising driver.

He made his mark in quite emphatic style and there is no doubt that Alonso – and the rest of the F1 field – will have taken notice.

comment on this article | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 76 comments

Read members' comments or add your own
comment by onedaddyjoe (U7834601)

posted Mar 19, 2007

I entirely agree with pollyfolley, does the BBC find it difficult to reconise the the contribution and success by black BRITISH sports personnel. Lewis Hammilton's was a great debut by a BRITISH driver an it should be given the the high accolade which it deserves.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by ManiacalMikeyBoy (U7704104)

posted Mar 19, 2007

Sato is such a muppet! Im not going to say that Lewis would have come second if he'd got out the way but it would have been bloody close and ruined what would have been a very exciting moment from a spectator point of view.

Very impressive drive throughout the whole weekend and only slightly slower than Alonso in qualifing even though he had more fuel! And that move round the outside of turn one was not the kind of move you expect from a 22 year old starting his first ever grandprix! Rubbish that Alonso was nt trying though his fastest lap was less than a tenth quicker that Hamilton's and only 3 tenths quicker in qually, Hamilton always has it all hanging out, thats just how he drives and anyone who watched GP2 last year will know.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by chiappe1524 (U6881421)

posted Mar 19, 2007

Coulthard what a muppet!!! Yes RedBull does give you wings but you can't fly over another car David!!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Geepak (U7835441)

posted Mar 19, 2007

I was one of the many spectators on a wonderful ot weekend back in June last yeah at Silverstone, I was also fortunate enough to be able to watch Lewis in the GP2, for anyone else that was there they will remember a maneuver that was surprisingly reminiscent of his turn 1 move on Alonso & friends, the only difference was at Silverstone he managed to pass 3 cars in what is dubbed a corner you cannot overtake on.

He then for the rest of the race received a standing ovation every single lap for the remainder of the race. I don't think I have ever seen an situation where there has been more interest in the "warm up" race than the actual main event - the F1.

Everyone was talking about Hamilton and how that if he wasn't in an F1 car within 2 years someone was missing out on a great talent.

He is the UK's greatest hope of another championship winner.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by AlanDove (U7836299)

posted Mar 19, 2007

lol nice to see that finally everyone been able to witnsess Lewis Hamilton! The UK karting scene has been singing about Lewis Hamilton for over 10 years. I raced the kid when I was 10 and he was an absolute genius. I would go as far as to say he hasn't really improved much since he was 10....he has ALWAYS BEEN that good smiley

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by elche2002 (U4430610)

posted Mar 21, 2007

You must be loco loco. What races were you watching last yr. He beat Shummie clean and square and the Ferrari cars were much faster. YOu dont win 2 back to back F1 titles by just been good. He is a brilliant driver which dont come too often.
======
i think lewis is fast but he did nothing special. Sitting in the second fastest car in his first season. Alonso is a good driver but not really good he got his 2 champion titles in a remarkable fast dominating renault against the slow duck fisicella. Adrian Sutil did a great job and was miles faster than the experienced old boy christian albers, i bet my house that he would have beaten alonso in the same car.

add comment | complain about this comment

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by elche2002 (U4430610)

posted Mar 21, 2007

Your comment is so laughable. Guess Schummie won many of his races the same way or by cheating. Yet he is still a 7th time WC.

Alonso is a brilliant cool driver with nerves of steel and calm when he needs to. He make very little mistakes and can go as fast as a rocket.
You dont win races by having a fast car alone. Using the brain is more than 70% of it.

=

The current champion does not deserve any respect for his two WDC. His first one was in a car, superior to others in the field. His second was only won because a Ferrari-engine blew up in Suzuka. Alonso never ever enters a fight, cries when he feels his former team and teammate let him down in China, drives Doornbos off the road twice in Friday Free Practice, and will settle for third if it's enough.

He is a worthless WDC and this year this will get proven.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by rkentca (U7819357)

posted Mar 22, 2007

Lewish Hamilton's brilliant start in Australia raised memories good and bad here in Canada. Our Villeneuve finished second to Damon Hill down under in his first GP and went on to become World Champion. Thereafter he went on to become a minnow due to too much ego and too much poor advise. His switch to BAR ruined what should have been a wonderful career with other Championships. One really hopes that Hamilton's head is more together,and his advisory committee actually committed to his own good. He deserves the best of the best in support of his quest Robert.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Inherent (U2599222)

posted Apr 1, 2007

he may be a breathe of fresh air to the sport but he better stop the 'Greta Garbo image I want to be alone'and let the media in before they give him the cold shoulder.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by dc_maestro_of_london (U6329343)

posted Apr 8, 2007

he proved you wrong, one hit wonder he is not, 2nd well done kiddo, keep up the good work, podium finishes on a regular basis, i see kimi alonso hamilton top 3 in any order, come the end of the season

add comment | complain about this comment

view all 76 comments | back to the top

Comment on this article

Sorry, you can only contribute to 606 during opening hours. These are 0900-2300 UK time, seven days a week, but may vary to accommodate sporting events and UK public holidays.

RATE THIS ARTICLE

Rate Breakdown

  • 5 51.16%
    22 votes
  • 4 18.60%
    8 votes
  • 3 4.65%
    2 votes
  • 2 4.65%
    2 votes
  • 1 20.93%
    9 votes

average rating:
3.74 from 43 votes

Sign in if you want to vote

MY RELATED LINKS

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites