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Lewis Hamilton Fans - how long have you been watching the sport ?

Started by JustinCider , Jun 02 2011 14:37

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173 replies to this topic

Poll: How long have you been watching ? (316 member(s) have cast votes)

I've watched F1 for :

0 - 4 (and a bit years) (53 votes [16.77%])
Percentage of vote: 16.77%
4 - 10 years (22 votes [6.96%])
Percentage of vote: 6.96%
10 - 15 years (46 votes [14.56%])
Percentage of vote: 14.56%
15 - 20 years (72 votes [22.78%])
Percentage of vote: 22.78%
20 - 30 years (68 votes [21.52%])
Percentage of vote: 21.52%
30+ years (48 votes [15.19%])
Percentage of vote: 15.19%
I'm too old to remember, where am I ? (7 votes [2.22%])
Percentage of vote: 2.22%

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#1 JustinCider

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836 posts
Joined: August 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:37

I touched upon this on another topic, and it's generated a few responses so far, and I think it merits a thread of it's own, and hopefully rational discussion.

I've seen on this any various other forums that Hamilton fans being labelled either bandwaggon jumpers, people who have no clue about F1, or have only followed the sport since his arrival in 2007. Now whilst I'm the first to admit that some of the posts made in praise of him are positively cringeworthy, it would interest me to know from his fanbase how long they have actually followed the sport. I'd also like to encourage reasonable debate from his detractors, as to why they don't like him, and from all quarters to draw parallels as to why they like / loathe the one man who's name seems to be the biggest topic of discussion for the past four years.

Personally, I'm a fan because wherever he's on track there is action (much like Mansell, who I first followed in the mid 80's). I was a fan of Montoya for the same reason. I don't really care too much what they say / do / did off track, as I have no times for corporate PR robots. If I wanted to listen to one of those, I'd just take a trip into my local estate agents and get bored silly in person.

PS - Please go easy on me, as although I've posted a few hundred times, this is my very first topic. And i mean please, please, pretty please.

Cheers.

Edited by JustinCider, 02 June 2011 - 15:04.

#2 ImDDAA

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3,226 posts
Joined: September 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:39

Early to mid 90's. No poll mate.

Edit; I mean, no poll you newbie bandwaggon hopper.

Edited by ImDDAA, 02 June 2011 - 14:40.

#3 TFLB

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1,839 posts
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:44

I'm no Hamilton fan, but I can understand why some people are - he's definately exciting to watch. It seems to me like there are two main types of Hamilton fan - the fan who apprecitates his racing, and the fan who was sucked into watching F1 by all the hype in 2007. The latter type can be irrational and can sometimes fall under the term 'fanboy'. Fortunately the former type seems to be more common.

#4 Grundle

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:45

Since 2004, when I was a Jenson Button fan.... :stoned:

#5 JustinCider

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836 posts
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:49

Early to mid 90's. No poll mate.

Edit; I mean, no poll you newbie bandwaggon hopper.

Crikey. I can't use this forum software. Is it 'cos I is cack ?

Edited by JustinCider, 02 June 2011 - 15:07.

#6 Mc_Silver

Member

5,387 posts
Joined: May 09

Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:52

I have been watching F1 since 1996. I am fan of McLaren but Lewis is excellent driver to watch for me

#7 robefc

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13,534 posts
Joined: July 08

Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:53

Start watching because of lewis (except for watching a bit in childhood when parents had it on, remember almost crying in 1994(.

But I'm not sure why becoming interested in a sport is spun as such a negative, do you have to start watching before you're 18 or you're barred for life?

#8 ImDDAA

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:54

Start watching because of lewis (except for watching a bit in childhood when parents had it on, remember almost crying in 1994(.

But I'm not sure why becoming interested in a sport is spun as such a negative, do you have to start watching before you're 18 or you're barred for life?

It's a way for some people to feel superior because of complex personality issues.

#9 TeamMacca

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534 posts
Joined: February 11

Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:57

I think it's a topic which hasn't really been explored, but please feel free to correct me if i've duplicated someone else's thread.

However, if you don't like the topic title, don't click on it and get irate. Simples.

Ok i agree but doing my nut in coming on here and seeing about 20 threads on Lewis Hamilton.

#10 H0R

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4,115 posts
Joined: March 08

Posted 02 June 2011 - 14:58

1967.
Any questions?

#11 LookButDontStare

Member

231 posts
Joined: May 11

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:01

since 1995,loved Mika,and have since followed Mclaren.I just love the do or die attitude to his overtaking, that move he pulled on Kimi in Monza was just nuts (Im a Kimi fan also)

#12 SCUDmissile

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:01

I'm no Hamilton fan, but I can understand why some people are - he's definately exciting to watch. It seems to me like there are two main types of Hamilton fan - the fan who apprecitates his racing, and the fan who was sucked into watching F1 by all the hype in 2007. The latter type can be irrational and can sometimes fall under the term 'fanboy'. Fortunately the former type seems to be more common.

but many of the Hamilton fans that started on 07 are also very knowledgeable, and in no way fanboys.

but i guess you could say the same about Alonso fans in 05, and Vettel fans last year. every guy has his crazy people, but i guess since we are in Britain, we are exposed to the hamilton ones more often.

In Spain, and Germany, it may be more of the same.

Most fans have a reason to join, and of they see a driver doing well in a country they are from, fair enough.

imo, it doesnt depend on when someone starts following, but what they say, and think, like irrationalness.

#13 LookButDontStare

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231 posts
Joined: May 11

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:02

It's a way for some people to feel superior because of complex personality issues.

#14 maverick69

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5,975 posts
Joined: April 09

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:05

1990.

And with the type of relentless kicking he's getting on here for a couple of racing incidents - I think there may well be some truth in his words.

#15 smitten

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4,982 posts
Joined: October 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:07

I first remember races from about '84 with Prost and Lauda and I've been a follower of McLaren since then. I think Hamilton was a breath of fresh air which coincided nicely with the end of the Schumacher era; the sport, particularly in Britain, was looking for a fresh "star" (and yes I know that there were many fine drivers in the preceding years but people like Button haven't captured the imagination of the public in the same way)

The thing that disturbs me most is the poofball mentality that he seems to attract in the fans: some say he can do no wrong, and some say he can do no right. Happily there are many who can recognize both his achievements and his shortcomings. Love him or loathe him though, he certainly makes for good press and taking points that will last for years. I just hope his legacy ends up something more than single WDC who beat 2 reigning WDC teammates...

#16 ForzaGTR

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:09

People assume if someone has been watching F1 for longer then their opinion is more valid lol.

#17 Jamiednm

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2,546 posts
Joined: March 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:11

I started watching as a kid in the 90's.
So to a seasoned F1 fan like me, it is clear to see that Hamilton generates a lot of jealousy amongst fans of other drivers, resulting in persistent (and mostly unwarranted) criticism of him.

#18 velgajski1

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Joined: August 09

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:13

I've watched a bit of it in early 90s, my favorite driver back than was Mansell. Later on it was Hakkinen/McLaren and later naturally Kimi, for a short while Alonso (preseason and first few races of 07'), and Hamilton since then.

In smartass teenage years I was (naturally, goes with age

) hater, and who was easier to hate in F1 in mid 90s then Michael Schumacher (he only won because of car, cheating, and crashing into others etc). Later I learned to appreciate success, so I'm very careful about making statements such as winning only because of car and I always argue a lot with people claiming such things. Most notably, Button, and to lesser extent Vettel get slammed for it.

Edited by velgajski1, 02 June 2011 - 15:16.

#19 fed up

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3,692 posts
Joined: May 08

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:14

Early 1980's

#20 fed up

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:15

People assume if someone has been watching F1 for longer then their opinion is more valid lol.

Not really.

With age and experience comes wisdom :cool:

#21 Grenada

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3,072 posts
Joined: September 08

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:17

74 years.

#22 Reverend

Member

278 posts
Joined: April 11

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:19

1986 cant do the maths ... only 3 drivers have ever mattered to me

Senna / Mika / Lewis - the holy trinity

#23 ImDDAA

Member

3,226 posts
Joined: September 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:20

1967.
Any questions?

What's incontinence like?

#24 Andy865

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2,447 posts
Joined: January 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:20

5 minutes coz lewis is da best yeah f1 was rubbish before he started and he made it good hes so awesome yeah blood

#25 Andy865

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2,447 posts
Joined: January 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:23

74 years.

dont be silly, you have hamilton in your pic

#26 JustinCider

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836 posts
Joined: August 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:24

What's incontinence like?

Shitty, apparently....

#27 pingu666

Member

9,272 posts
Joined: October 07

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:27

93ish for me i guess, thats as far back as i remmber. Im not a massive fan of lewis exclusively, i like a bunch of other drivers alot

. i hadnt paid much attention to him before f1, so it was a surprise to me he was black (just due to the rareity of black racing drivers). second surprise was how he drove xD, and took over the mantle of most interesting thing in F1 from schumi/montoya.

I like the attacking driving style of his

#28 mlsnoopy

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2,356 posts
Joined: June 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:29

1989

#29 ImDDAA

Member

3,226 posts
Joined: September 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:31

dont be silly, you have hamilton in your pic

F1 not being around for 74 years is another clue.

#30 Grenada

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3,072 posts
Joined: September 08

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:37

dont be silly, you have hamilton in your pic

And what does this prove with regards to length of watching F1?

#31 Andy865

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2,447 posts
Joined: January 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:38

And what does this prove with regards to length of watching F1?

I was doing the whole sarcastic f1 has been around that long joke. Really doesn't work on a message board

#32 ColchesterF1

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210 posts
Joined: May 10

Posted 02 June 2011 - 15:55

Have been since 1996

And i'm only 17 years old. I support all the British drivers, so not just Hamilton.

#33 Darth Sidious

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995 posts
Joined: January 07

Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:04

1993.

Hill (I was new to the sport and clueless)
Villeneuve from 1996 (Had also started watching Indycar while learning the ropes)
Montoya from 2001 ( Had been watching F3000 on Eurosport and then followed him through CART as a half hearted Franchitti supporter but he won me over and when he came to F1 it was a no brainer, especially after coming within inches of getting his autograph at the Autosport show that year. My Williams Montoya cap is always, always proudly sported on the parcel shelf of the car when it ain't on my head)
Hamilton from late 2006 when Montoya left.

It's probably just me but i find this topic almost insulting to me as a Hamilton fan, as if my maturity is being called into question.

43 btw.

Edited by Darth Sidious, 02 June 2011 - 16:06.

#34 skakavac111

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60 posts
Joined: March 11

Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:12

1992

#35 monolulu

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:41

Started watching late 60s /early 70s. Interest waned from time to time but wow did it come back with a vengence in 2007! Fan of Lewis since GP2. Went to Silverstone for the 1st time 2009 only wish it had been 2008! (Glad to hear I nurtured my son's interest when he was a child

)

#36 jjcale

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Joined: October 09

Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:45

The first driver that I was a fan of was Nelson Piquet...

#37 Fergo

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153 posts
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:47

Properly in 2007 but that was after being taken to practice for Bahrain and have been hooked ever since.

#38 stanga

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:54

On and off since 1992. Followed Mansell, Hill, Button and will support any British driver. Lewis brought me back to the sport after the Schumacher years drove me from it. Hamilton has his flaws, but don't we all? It's a shame he didn't win in his rookie year (or last year to be honest). He's more than capable of one WDC.

#39 Tsarwash

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 16:55

Just to prove some point, but I'm not sure which one, I started watching sometime in the earlyish 80's when Mansell started to do well. I'm more of a fan of Lewis's driving then him as a person. I'm pretty sure that I would'nt like to meet him or spend time with him. I like the way that he tries to make things happen, rather than waiting for the finish line to come, as some drivers seem to.

#40 zack1994

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:02

IMO just because you have watched it for longer doesn't mean you know more than someone whos watched for 3 years it just means you've seen more. Started watching in 08 gutted i wasnt obsessed with f1 earlier in my life :cry:

Edited by zack1994, 02 June 2011 - 17:20.

#41 metz

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:12

1967.
Any questions?

Yes. Was Lewis's father even born then? :wave:

#42 The Ragged Edge

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:19

I've been watching F1, since 1977.

#43 undersquare

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:19

I started watching in the late 70's, so I've been waiting a long time for TDG!

There's a constant battle for status on here based on age/experience, but it's based on a fallacy I think.

It's impressive how knowledgeable some members are, however I don't see a general correlation. Many of the best posts seem to be from young fans, and many of the worst from old ones.

#44 Andy865

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:22

I started watching in the late 70's, so I've been waiting a long time for TDG!

There's a constant battle for status on here based on age/experience, but it's based on a fallacy I think.

It's impressive how knowledgeable some members are, however I don't see a general correlation. Many of the best posts seem to be from young fans, and many of the worst from old ones.

Agreed, check out the nostalgia forum for some ill informed negativity.

#45 Afterburner

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:24

My support for Hamilton changes with almost every race. Some days I'm glad to watch him overtake and do well, and on others I couldn't care less if he's not on the podium--overall I'd say I've been pretty neutral towards him since his arrival in the sport. After his attitude over the last season or so towards his team in some situations and especially after his attitude this last race, though, I think it's safe to say that I probably won't be a fan of his for a while. For me, character is an important aspect of a racing driver--I've never seen it as honourable to bad-mouth one's opponents after a bad race, and anyone who can't seem to act maturely towards their opponents and the press will typically lose my favour. Hamilton showed some pretty reckless driving in Monaco and then a bad attitude after he had been punished for it--to me, this was reminiscint of a child's behavior. You could be the greatest driver on the planet, but if you don't show respect for your team and for your opponents, then I don't respect you. Simple as that. There's no honour in poor sportsmanship or bad ethics even if you're a twenty-time champion, in my opinion.

For the record, the first race I saw was Monaco 2003, and I've followed every race ever since.

#46 Watkins74

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:31

I started watching in the late 70's, so I've been waiting a long time for TDG!

There's a constant battle for status on here based on age/experience, but it's based on a fallacy I think.

It's impressive how knowledgeable some members are, however I don't see a general correlation. Many of the best posts seem to be from young fans, and many of the worst from old ones.

Really? So Gilles Villeneuve didn't impress you? Neither did Senna, Prost, Mansell or Schumacher?

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

#47 Tombstone

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1,392 posts
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:32

Since '74.

I've never really been a great fan of drivers since Hunt retired, but I've always supported McLaren - even when Hunt drove for Hesketh. That said I have always tended to favour one of the McLaren drivers, mainly prejudiced by the team they drove for previously, but also by patriotism and occasionally my perception of their talent. Preferred Hunt, Wattie, then Lauda over Prost, Steve Johnson over Prost, Senna over Prost, Brundle=Hakkinen, Hakkinen over Coulthard, not really bothered at all about Raikkonen and his team mates, Hamilton over Alonso and now I don't care which McLaren driver does better. That said I prefer Hamilton's attitude in the car and Button's attitude out of the car.

Edited by Tombstone, 02 June 2011 - 17:32.

#48 bauss

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:33

The first driver that I was a fan of was Nelson Piquet...

Junior or Senior?

#49 hunnylander

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4,448 posts
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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:42

Since 1986.

#50 Andrew Hope

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Posted 02 June 2011 - 17:53

Started watching races in 1997 at the age of 6, but only really got seriously interested in the sport about ten years later. Hardly a Lewis fan at all, really, I just see F1 as a show like anything else, just better than most other shows, and I like what Lewis brings to the show.

Fandom of anything is really hard for me to grasp some times. I'm always baffled by some of the attitudes I see on here. Being a fan or a supporter of drivers, teams, or anything else is a double-edged sword in my eyes - it teaches us a lot of positive things about the world, but it doesn't take a whole lot of imagination to see how much negativity it brings into our lives. There are a lot of things about being a sports fan that give me goosebumps, and a lot of things about being a sports fan that make me cringe in embarrassment. I like that playing football when you're younger teaches you about teamwork and independence, but I don't like how being a football supporter turns grown men and women into animals that hate people they've never even met just because they weren't born within the same imaginary lines on the ground you were. I like that sports can do a lot of good for your pride in yourself, but I don't like how so much of that pride is fake - taking pride in something you had nothing to do with doesn't seem like something you should be allowed to get away with much past the age of 10. I like the romance of camping out at the track all weekend to cheer on your favorite drivers - I don't like the sense of entitlement some fans get, their assumption that they should have a say in how something works just because they willingly pissed away half their paycheck supporting it. I like that sports, and motorsports is no different, teaches us so many things - I don't like that a lot of the things it teaches us are things we shouldn't really need anyway. I wonder how many people feel so passionate for their favorite driver, team or F1 out of genuinely love, and how many feel so passionate out of just a desperate urge to fit in.

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Lewis Hamilton Fans - how long have you been watching the sport ?

Poll: How long have you been watching ? (316 member(s) have cast votes)

I've watched F1 for :

#1 JustinCider

#2 ImDDAA

#3 TFLB

#4 Grundle

#5 JustinCider

#6 Mc_Silver

#7 robefc

#8 ImDDAA

#9 TeamMacca

#10 H0R

#11 LookButDontStare

#12 SCUDmissile

#13 LookButDontStare

#14 maverick69

#15 smitten

#16 ForzaGTR

#17 Jamiednm

#18 velgajski1

#19 fed up

#20 fed up

#21 Grenada

#22 Reverend

#23 ImDDAA

#24 Andy865

#25 Andy865

#26 JustinCider

#27 pingu666

#28 mlsnoopy

#29 ImDDAA

#30 Grenada

#31 Andy865

#32 ColchesterF1

#33 Darth Sidious

#34 skakavac111

#35 monolulu

#36 jjcale

#37 Fergo

#38 stanga

#39 Tsarwash

#40 zack1994

#41 metz

#42 The Ragged Edge

#43 undersquare

#44 Andy865

#45 Afterburner

#46 Watkins74

#47 Tombstone

#48 bauss

#49 hunnylander

#50 Andrew Hope

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