F1: Hamilton reaches career cross-roads
Mercedes beefing up next year’s challenge.
LONDON:
Sebastian Vettel may be within a point of joining an elite group of double champions in Formula One’s hall of fame, but it is still his rival Lewis Hamilton who is the most talked-about man in the sport.
After another dazzling drive from 19th to fifth in last Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, won by 24-year-old Vettel of Red Bull, Hamilton was not praised, but put under attack and examination after an incident involving Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.
Three-time champion Jackie Stewart, widely seen as one of the senior spokesmen in top level motor racing, joined a debate sparked by some sarcastic and offensive behaviour by Massa during post-race interviews in South-East Asia.
“I am a bit confused because he certainly knows how to drive and has a very large amount of natural talent, but if he is going to be a great driver he cannot have serial incidents,” said Stewart. “And none of the great drivers ever drove in that fashion.
“He has all the skills but somehow or the other, he jumps out of gear mentally. I cannot believe he nearly had an incident that would have taken him out of qualifying,” he added.
‘Management needs to do more’
Hamilton’s father Anthony feels that Lewis’ current management had failed to provide sufficient support to their client in Singapore where, he pointed out, every other driver had an expert personal manager in the pits.
“His management needs to do more,” Anthony told the BBC. “What I will say is look up the paddock; every driver that’s got a driver manager, the manager is here [in Singapore] and in the driver’s life.”
Mercedes boost for Schumacher
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher’s hopes of chasing an incredible eighth world title next year were given a boost this week as his Mercedes team made clear they are beefing up their challenge on and off the track. Mercedes are recruiting former Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa and the experienced Geoff Willis, most recently with Hispania, in a move that will increase the strength of their engineering and technical line-up at a stroke.
They are also sharpening up their approach to the teams’ Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA) by calling for full audits to make sure all of the top teams are respecting the rules and playing on a level field.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2011.
Sebastian Vettel may be within a point of joining an elite group of double champions in Formula One’s hall of fame, but it is still his rival Lewis Hamilton who is the most talked-about man in the sport.
After another dazzling drive from 19th to fifth in last Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, won by 24-year-old Vettel of Red Bull, Hamilton was not praised, but put under attack and examination after an incident involving Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.
Three-time champion Jackie Stewart, widely seen as one of the senior spokesmen in top level motor racing, joined a debate sparked by some sarcastic and offensive behaviour by Massa during post-race interviews in South-East Asia.
“I am a bit confused because he certainly knows how to drive and has a very large amount of natural talent, but if he is going to be a great driver he cannot have serial incidents,” said Stewart. “And none of the great drivers ever drove in that fashion.
“He has all the skills but somehow or the other, he jumps out of gear mentally. I cannot believe he nearly had an incident that would have taken him out of qualifying,” he added.
‘Management needs to do more’
Hamilton’s father Anthony feels that Lewis’ current management had failed to provide sufficient support to their client in Singapore where, he pointed out, every other driver had an expert personal manager in the pits.
“His management needs to do more,” Anthony told the BBC. “What I will say is look up the paddock; every driver that’s got a driver manager, the manager is here [in Singapore] and in the driver’s life.”
Mercedes boost for Schumacher
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher’s hopes of chasing an incredible eighth world title next year were given a boost this week as his Mercedes team made clear they are beefing up their challenge on and off the track. Mercedes are recruiting former Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa and the experienced Geoff Willis, most recently with Hispania, in a move that will increase the strength of their engineering and technical line-up at a stroke.
They are also sharpening up their approach to the teams’ Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA) by calling for full audits to make sure all of the top teams are respecting the rules and playing on a level field.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2011.