Even when there’s been open animosity between drivers, I don't recall any other pair of team-mates consistently receiving such opposing and passionate expressions of opinion (perhaps between Lewis and Fernando was close, but as only 1 was British, the commentary was more one-side in this country). I think this will follow Lewis wherever he goes- he’s a troubled prodigy who polarises opinion between those that see him as a selfish upstart in a generally gentlemanly culture, and those who regard him as wearing his heart on his sleeve, a breath of fresh blowing away the cobwebs of a stuffy gentleman’s club.
So the debate (in the wider world- not specifically this forum) is in part fuelled by sympathy/empathy with either the charming but reserved “British” characteristics perceived in Jenson and the brash go-getter “American” characteristics perceived in Lewis. I guess there are more long-term F1 fans in the former camp, and I’d bet more recent fans in the latter.
My personal view on Lewis is that I admire his talent and think his personality is in part a by-product of the environment which developed him as a driver, so good luck to him, but I want my team to have drivers who are doing it for the team, not drivers who regard the team as doing it for them.
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