I look at Lewis Hamilton and yes, he has attitude. But so did Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill. All British world champions, all had attitude. Even Stirling Moss was difficult at times. Some of these guys became elder statesmen of F1 and showed that they also had charm. But when they were driving, they had attitude.
Absolute cobblers,
I will only cite Jim Clark but none of the others would throw public tantrums. Laugh, practical jokes yes, but publicly incite, or wind up their team-mate...... never. Your wrong. Jim Clark was a very quiet Scotsman that shied away from the media and VERY seldom gave an interview, but he always had the greatest of respect for his fellow racers, and especially his team-mate. Jackie Stewart was not the most jovial of drivers but again he had tremendous respect for his fellow competitors and it is largely due to the efforts of this driver that cars became safer and deaths less frequent. It was these deaths that saw the early retirement of this gentleman. Your 95% wrong
(Mansell was a whinger
) . Maybe 80% because another great character; James Hunt once punched a marshal, but none of these people would swear at their team boss, ridicule their team-mate and threaten to leave Formula 1......... Unless you know different?????
I am NOT anti Hamilton and it may well be a generation, lack of discipline or self respect issue, but it is wrong to slag off fellow competitors, it is wrong to say if I can't get my way then I'm off. He is 22 years old. He is a man, not a child and to put this in perspective look at Prince Naseem. He had the World at his finger tips, but he knew best. He thought he could do what he wanted, say what he wanted, and act how he wanted. You and others appear to say that's okay? Sorry but I disagree, these sportsmen are paid unbelievable sums to PERFORM, are they value for money and what do they offer? They are an ambassador for their respective sport and a role model to which others want to emulate.
What we accept as normal behaviour from our top athletes is what we will see from a younger generation. If we stand back, draw a deep breath and try to be neutral, you will see Ron Dennis trying to reign in this brilliant young talent. For the first three quarters of the season the press was not allowed to speak to Hamilton when he was on the start grid. The race after this man decided it was acceptable to tell the CEO of McLaren to F*** off, that all altered and now Hamilton gives these interviews.
We need someone like Hamilton, he is a breath of fresh air to this corrupt sport, but he is not bigger than the sport and the bottom line is that this young man is an ambassador not only for Formula 1, but to a new young generation that all believe they can be the next Lewis Hamilton.
