Schumacher backs ‘aggressive’ Hamilton
Seven-time champion appreciates Englishman’s driving style.
MONTREAL:
Lewis Hamilton found support for his ‘all-out attack’ driving style coming from an unexpected quarter after former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi had accused him of being over-aggressive and dangerous.
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, whose history of bold and attacking driving also attracted as many critics as admirers, was the man who moved to defend the 26-year-old Englishman.
The 42-year-old German, now racing for Mercedes, said he disagreed with the views of Fittipaldi and believed Hamilton did not deserve the punishment he received for his alleged transgressions at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Schumacher said, “In Monaco we know it is very difficult to pass and if somebody doesn’t want it, then it is very hard to avoid a collision. I guess, in two of the four cases he passed people, two didn’t want it and two accepted it.
“It’s a tough situation to be perfectly right. You will always find one or the other opinion on that – but put it this way – I would not have given him a penalty for [the incident with] Felipe (Massa) at least.”
Schumacher spoke out after Fittipaldi had told the Brazilian website Totalrace that Hamilton needed to show greater respect for other drivers.
Fittipaldi, 64, who started 144 Grands Prix, winning 14 and lifting two drivers’ titles, also compared Hamilton, champion in 2008, unfavourably with legendary triple champion Ayrton Senna.
He was quoted saying, “I think Lewis is an exceptional talent, a world champion, but sometimes he is too aggressive when he tries to overtake.
“It was like that in Monaco with Massa, placing half of the car in the sidewalk and putting Felipe in a difficult position, at least. He put Felipe in a dangerous position, really.
“I think there has to be a limit for being aggressive, respecting the others and still being competitive. You can be competitive, but you have to respect the others.”
Hamilton believes his aggressive driving style is exactly what the fans want and he has said there is no difference between the way that he goes about fighting his rivals and the way his hero Senna did.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2011.
Lewis Hamilton found support for his ‘all-out attack’ driving style coming from an unexpected quarter after former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi had accused him of being over-aggressive and dangerous.
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, whose history of bold and attacking driving also attracted as many critics as admirers, was the man who moved to defend the 26-year-old Englishman.
The 42-year-old German, now racing for Mercedes, said he disagreed with the views of Fittipaldi and believed Hamilton did not deserve the punishment he received for his alleged transgressions at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Schumacher said, “In Monaco we know it is very difficult to pass and if somebody doesn’t want it, then it is very hard to avoid a collision. I guess, in two of the four cases he passed people, two didn’t want it and two accepted it.
“It’s a tough situation to be perfectly right. You will always find one or the other opinion on that – but put it this way – I would not have given him a penalty for [the incident with] Felipe (Massa) at least.”
Schumacher spoke out after Fittipaldi had told the Brazilian website Totalrace that Hamilton needed to show greater respect for other drivers.
Fittipaldi, 64, who started 144 Grands Prix, winning 14 and lifting two drivers’ titles, also compared Hamilton, champion in 2008, unfavourably with legendary triple champion Ayrton Senna.
He was quoted saying, “I think Lewis is an exceptional talent, a world champion, but sometimes he is too aggressive when he tries to overtake.
“It was like that in Monaco with Massa, placing half of the car in the sidewalk and putting Felipe in a difficult position, at least. He put Felipe in a dangerous position, really.
“I think there has to be a limit for being aggressive, respecting the others and still being competitive. You can be competitive, but you have to respect the others.”
Hamilton believes his aggressive driving style is exactly what the fans want and he has said there is no difference between the way that he goes about fighting his rivals and the way his hero Senna did.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2011.