He should tell the press to fvck off or just do a Kimi and mumble so annoyingly people stop caring.

I don't agree it's a good read at all. I've never read something so pathetic in my life.

"Mummy, Mummy, he won't talk to me, doesn't he realise how important I am, Mummy, make him talk to me".

You said that about the Jim Clark quote...

I've never read something so pathetic in my life.

Don't be so harsh to Jonathan Noble either!

Epic fail of trolling, what you did!

You would have thought having somebody in the team with press experience would be able to pass his knowledge on to Lewis who is - to be fair - a racing driver and not some clever media-manipulator.

The problem is, that man is Matt "I think whichever team or driver you do or don't support we can all agree he's a hopelessly out of his depth self aggrandizing twat" Bishop. If his help in passing tips to Lewis of how to deal with the media are anything like his attempts to put a positive spin on any story at McLaren since he arrived, it is little wonder Lewis has fallen foul of the hacks.

I guess we all like and dislike different people, and, to me and evidently many others, Lewis is just becoming increasingly hard to like. He seems to have taken Ron's "show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser" to heart, rather than Mika Hakkinen's rather more attractive "to be a good winner you have to learn to be a good loser". You ain't going to win every race or every season, and the sooner he starts looking a little more balanced when he's having a bad season, rather than looking like a spoiled schoolboy (hopefully this time without breaking anybody's fingers) the better his relationship with the media and neutral F1 followers will be.



As has been pointed out, he's no Kimi. Kimi can get away with it because he's genuinely cool. Lewis, love him loathe him, isn't cool. It would backfire massively on Lewis...it would take arselicking on an ITV-esque scale to put up with that.

That goes without saying and I never disputed it.

I just believe that a guy like Kimi, who no doubt has frustrated a good amount of journalists in his career, is now accepted as the person he is, consistent and genuine.

OTOH if you play with and use the media when it suits you, but then snub them if the questions become unpleasant, there is some backlash to be expected. It's only natural.

Neutral followers like you, I suppose?

I don't understand why you're dodging around now

You replied this to me earlier



which is all about timelines.



You claimed, but you didn't explain. Are you really suggesting the fallout of liegate has got nothing to with it? Because that's what the article is talking about, solely. You might think to have seen something in China last year, but not many others have, apparently.

And if you think he didn't play the press right from the start of his career than indeed we'll have to disagree. BTW, forget about the girl, will you? I take that remark back if it means so much to you.

I don't claim to be neutral. I think you miss the point if you think I'm trying to claim I am.

What I am saying is he needs to do some work if he is not to continue damaging his reputation with the press and with neutral fans.

Personally, I think he's a nasty bit of work, (given the benefit of knowing people who he was at school with, although, to be fair, he may have changed in the 6 years since "the incident that cannot be reported", although Melbourne suggests not) further compounded by his repeated insistence he is good and honest and humble. Again, nobody's perfect (even me ;)), but banging on with all this honest and humble stuff just sticks in the throat.

Yup - there's nothing more off putting in reportage than the press trying to make themselves the story. Second time Noble's stooped to that this season, following his article on Williams' protests in Oz costing him precious sleep.

Not related to this topic, but the F1 guys of the Spanish broadcaster started to use translators during the interviews during the race and PCs, so the pit lane reporter can do the whole interview with the drivers in English without having to do a summarized translation for the audience after it. When Kimi was being interviewed after his DNF in Barcelona, the translator suddently stopped and said "I don't understand what's he's saying"

hahaha

Legend!

I think you miss the point. By proclaiming your evident bias, you're hardly in a good position to guess the views of "neutral F1 fans".

I don't know what's more comical- the thought of 'neutral fans' or MWM's belief that he speaks for them, whoever they are!

Hamilton's relationship with the press is exactly the same as any successful F1 driver has faced. Build them up and knock them down, Hamilton is just the latest in a long line.

ok driving opinion only from me... my main problem and i think its a flaw in hamiltons driving is his driving style is to aggresive for the tyres, we saw it in races where tyre wear been a issue and if there was a weakness this is one. Also i am not convinced due to his inexperience i think he isn;t the most technical driver either, i think mclaren could be suffering for this reason and others.

slightly comical stating someones not a nice piece of work when the person doing the stating hardly seems a nice butter wouldn't melt in the mouth type.

I enjoy his driving, he seems ok off the track, he has a lot of bashers who if they don't have anything to bash will make it up. I think the perfect answer is

What are you on about?

He has been driving a crap car and been leading from the front all the way through, motivating the team, pushing forward. How has he been looking 'unbalanced'? When has he acted like a 'spoiled schoolboy'? Can you give some specific, first-hand examples.

I have been very impressed with how he has led the team this year.

My view is that his style is not inherently hard on the tyres, in fact Heikki was working last year trying to get his tyre wear down to Lewis' levels. And we just saw in Barca he made his first set of softs last 31 laps. Then his second set were finished after only 12 laps or something, either because they were a used set or he was pushing harder, or both. One thing is that he can drive closer to the limit than other drivers, so when he is pushing the tyres do get worked harder, just by the laws of physics. But he can dial it in, according to what he's being asked to do.

I wouldn't underestimate his technical ability either, the team give him a lot of say in setup and strategy and they wouldn't do that if they didn't rate his judgment.

LOL so now he's judged by what he did at SCHOOL as a CHILD.

Maybe you could comment on his Mum and his favourite film next.

MWM, we don't need a wall of text explaining that you're now finding it increasingly hard to like the guy. - You don't. I't OBVIOUS from the majority of your posts. It's as simple as that. You make it known at every oportunity, and you even create new oportunities to remind people that you don't. You even shoe horn in new oportunities with some kind of awkward link.
You have chosen an avatar that reflects your stance. You have previously chosen a forum signature that reflects your stance. You repeatedly have a go at his own girlfriend.

We don't need to hear you saying you're finding it increasingly hard to like the guy

I don't like you. I'm finding it increasingly hard to even acknowledge anything you post, but I wont dedicate my forum account to the cause.

I think Alonso's dealing with the press is okay. He can communicate his thoughts without being unlikable, and has a way of showing his happiness or dissappointments without saying every week that the car is hopeless.

Love Alonso or hate him, I always come away after having watched an interview with him, believing what he has said. Same can't be said with Lewis.

My comments refer to the discussion (rather then posts here) that took place on BBC interactive forum, where they talked about being himself more instead of trying to be PR. And DC talking about mixed messages through out the weekend.

I think that for a top car, when you need to make an aggressive strategy work his style works well. The problem is that it conflicts with the midfield approach of doing what Heidfeld does. Full the car up on big fuel and chug away doing consistant times. It's a different niche, and Heidfeld has it mastered. But Hamilton needs to adapt a bit, because when you have a slow car, going aggressive isn't really an option. This is applicable for the days when the car is bad (like in Spain). Fulling up on big fuel is your only option, and tyres need to be preserved for longer. Even on the top cars in Spain, when Webber and Button did long stints (28-30 laps) the times suffered in the last 10 laps. Imagine the wear for a slower car with less downforce.

On a day like in Bahrain, Lewis's approach will work fine. More pace, shorter stints, no problem.

Fernando was able to slide in to F1 without the hype and McLaren "we are a good marketing platform for our drivers" bullshit.
He wasn't thrown in at the deep end and nearly won the WDC in his first year. (No doubt he could have had the same shot if given the same chance, this isn't my point)

Hamilton was just too naive with his relationship with the press early on. He's been learning slowly with how they should be treated for a while now. Starting from when the press asked him why he didn't seem to be celebrating his wins as much last year. No doubt, when someone new comes along, and he's old hat, he'll perhaps loosen up with them, while being reserved in what he gives them. Sort of a mix between the two extremes.

Perhaps he could do the Alonso thing with his mouth, where he scrunches it up and pulls down the ends to look like an honest labourer giving you an estimate of some work. At the moment he only seems to be able to blankly stare, smile or hide behind his drinks bottle

Interestingly I think Hamilton's dealing with the press is okay. He can communicate his thoughts without being unlikable, and has a way of showing his happiness or dissappointments without saying every week that the car is hopeless.*

*His last: I don't think the whole car is wrong, I think perhaps a small issue is triggering a bigger problem somewhere else. And that's encouraging because it means we could hit a breakthrough at any stage. We've definitely taken some big steps forward and we've learnt from some of our mistakes too - we're all optimistic for the next few races.

He just said ONCE, remember; ONCE, not every week , and remember he said the truth then: 'There's just no hope to defend his title with that car in its current state'. He was correct, you're not.

He's struggling to find a balance with his PR bullshit. Other drivers have mastered their PR bullshit.

As Coulthard said, on one hand he's trying to be the corporate robot, something the press doesn't want, but it's a way to keep yourself clean; and on the other hand, he's expressing his disappointment at not having the chance to defend his title, which is from the heart, something the press love to spin, and gets him in the shit.

He needs to strike a happy medium, but as long as he can drive, it doesn't really matter much for RACE fans.

The problem is with the press and the antifan part of the audience, because they're lacking understanding and empathy. They expect perfectness, when a human is far from to be perfect and to act always perfectly especially if the receiver wanna misundertand and misinterpret him on purpose to accuse him and to dislike and hate him.

The "antifan" individuals are just a perpetual confirmation-bias machine now. The same sorts of things Hamilton would be crucified for that other drivers do, are interpretted as no big deal, or as something quirky or funny. They have their stereotype for him, and what ever is written is interpretted to match it.

Their opinions are no more worthy than those that think the guy is the second coming.

Jonathan Noble's piece echoes another a few weeks ago by Edward Gorman in The Times, who suggests Lewis badly needs a full time press officer.

It seems he and his old man don't really understand the role of the press or how it works, so take every criticism incredibly personally.

What I do find curious about Noble's work is that he never ceases to either moan about the conditions of a struggling F1 journalist, or discuss the prospect of a free lunch or dinner!

In the Lewis piece he basically suggests Hamilton's problems with the press would be over if he bought the British press pack dinner once a year, just like Jenson Button does.

Remarkable.

If I was him, I'd probably go and speak to Brundle about it off record. He's managed drivers for one, he's in the press business for two, and he seems to know what the problem is, and can recognise the difference in Lewis' public and private person.

Button to compete in London Triathlon

Looks like a brilliant opportunity for Lewis.

To be lapped by Button there too?

Sorry, couldn't resist

I wonder how much of this is down to his Father. On one hand, he's clearly been the support Lewis needed to get him where he is today, but on the other he is as much a rookie in this game as Lewis is.

The terrible PR disaster that was his move to Switzerland ("I get followed into the toilets...no...hold on... it's better for tax") and then the triathlon challenge ("yeah I'll do it...hold on...no sorry Dad says no") are just two very public examples of this.

What Lewis needs is to not read his own press, to have someone (yes I agree a press officer) who will guide him through the tricky world of F1 journalism and ensure the right spin is put on all the stories which hit the headlines.

In fact I think the triathlon episode is a perfect example. The guy was up for it. He took the challenge, checked his blackberry, knew he had time, and wanted to compete. It could have been ****ing awesome. I bet the ITV cameras would have been there too. It could have been the best press ever. And this was all because Lewis (the person) was well up for the challenge.

Dad says no. For the best of reasons, I'm sure. Yes Lewis needed to be fit for the races, and yes there was a chance he might have lost (actually, a very good chance considering Buttons ranking) but Lewis ended up with the bad press over this. Lewis was called every shade of yellow under the sun either because he was scared of losing to Button or because he didn't stand up to his father or the team. That episode could and should have been handled very differently.

Agreed. I think Anthony needs to get out of there once in a while. Leave Lewis on his own... He's not a kid anymore. I can understand his dad being there, JB's dad is always there, but JB's dad remains in the garage, alot of the time out of the spot light. And when he talks to the press he knows what to say.

What bugged me was how Anthony handled the whole lie-gate fiasco. He appeared to be a right ungreatful c*ck about it.

The suggestion about asking Brundle for help is brilliant. Lewis is a great guy who has been portrayed in the wrong image latley, not because of him soley, but because of the press. Brundle knows how to handle it and would be good for Lewis. I really feel sorry for the guy though, he cant seem to say anything right. Either the press or us bite him at every chance we get.

Good points. I think it's perfectly understandable that Lewis continued to take parental guidance when he first entered F1 - his father was, after all, more than instrumental in getting him there.

But...it's his 3rd season. He's, what 24? Now, I don't know how many people here were taking their dad to work at any age, let alone 24. It starts being a bit embarassing.

Lewis needs to be his own man. Sure, don;t stop your old man going to the races, but let him watch from the stands. It just look like he can't let go of his father's coat tails.

Wow, what expectations you have, just because you obviously hate to see the black head of Anthony Hamilton in the garage. He belongs to there, you know, as a father and as a manager of the team's best driver. You asks something very idiotic. You're very sick, your illness is called antihamiltonitis. Go away from here and see the doctor.

If I'd be a driver and my father would attend to see my races, he would be in the garage of my team. No question. What a supid request you'd want.

Heh, heh. It's funny to see these old geezers in the pits, Massa's, Hamilton's and even Webber's. What are they really doing there? They just like the publicity, and propably think they might get lucky with the pit tarts because they're fathers of famous drivers. That's all. They're glory hounds. OR do you really think these three drivers need to hold their daddy's hand to get by in the harsh manly world of F1? Especially Webbo, who getting a bit old himself.

They probaby like racing cars and enjoy the atmosphere of the team after all...

They wouldn't buy karts and formula fords etc and put their children into it if they think motor racing is crap and anti-environmental.

Maybe i'm missing something here, but what exactly has Anthony Hamilton done wrong in terms of being a manager, and a father?

No doubt, but did I say otherwise?

Harry,

I think it stems back to that time when he was Lewis' dad.

Manager: he let Hamilton withdraw from the "Men-challenge"

That seems rather a sound decision to me.... judging by what happened to Webber

Doesn't Webber always seem to go that little bit better when his father's present? I guess most of these dads have made huge sacrifices to help their sons get to the top, as a result the families are very closely knit. It's funny that Webber's dad still gives him a boost, because people like Webber and Button don't give the impression of particularly needing parental support; however, Massa and Hamilton do look come across as people who gain a lot from their family's presence - for this reason alone they should stick close to them... no matter how upsetting it might be for some. For most F1 drivers, they are being bombarded every waking minute by demands from the team, the media, the fans, etc. It must be exhausting and unreal, I suspect their families really help to keep them grounded.

I find it hard to tune into the anti-Lewis thing, what it's all about. Yes he's a bit gobby, shot his mouth off over being the fittest driver and got had by Jense - couldn't turn down the challenge but couldn't do his first ever triathlon at Olympic distance on the one weekend between Germany and Hungary either. Where's the big problem? Well some people found one but it made no difference to me, I already knew he's chock-a-block with aspiration and competitive instinct. If he expressess that it doesn't worry me.

Likewise all the other episodes like Switzerland - he doesn't handle money and especially in 07 he just left all that to his father, so his personal reason for moving would have been the paps and being hassled, while Anthony's reason was tax. "Monkeys at the back" - probably a joke about being where he was in his first year, leading the championship already going into Monaco. Someone here said a couple of months ago they read that he said he wanted to 'blow the other drivers away' and entirely on that one quote decided they intensely dislike him for being 'arrogant'. That is just silly, but a lot of people seem to be doing it. Anthony in the garage, somehow different from all the other dads (well he's more significant than the other dads but that's all).

To me it looks like people starting out wanting to find an excuse for disliking him, and so I'm not sure PR will help that much. Personally he just makes me smile when I see him, all that energy and determination, he has a glow about him, so full of life, and I am quite sure he is fundamentally a good-natured person too. Once in a while he says something I wish he hadn't said, making him imperfect.... wow. I just can't see how some people find these imperfections unacceptable.

Just yesterday I had a meeting with a Vodaphone executive who has been there since "the beginning". Obviously he's had lots of jolly-ups during the Ferrari time and now the McLaren time, and guess who he finds the best driver to talk to? Yep, Hamilton. I asked him if he found him arrogant and he said not at all - and if he did start acting arrogantly outside of the competative arena, his dad (who's a really nice bloke too apparently) would bring him back down to earth rather sharpish. Read in to that what you will.

Sounds similar to what Brundle was saying.

I wasn't saying there was anything wrong with his Dad but that Lewis needs to take advice from people other than his Dad and ensure that potentially damaging news gets spun in a different way. Anthony is new to F1 himself, in case anyone has forgotten. Do either of them even know what news could be damaging? Both Lewis and his Father together perhaps need the spin doctor.

The triathlon challenge is still a good example. Any reason why he could not have moved the challenge to the end of the season? Look at the good news coming from Button doing it for charity. Lewis clearly wanted to do it and was clearly prevented from doing so. It was important for that let down to have been handled well. it wasn't.

The answer to the triathlon question is that Jense is a triathlete and Lewis isn't. I'm not sure that Lewis is much of a swimmer, even. I suppose that's your point in a way, puting that message out, fair enough.

Anyway I didn't mean to sound like I was disagreeing, maybe a little about how much of a solution it would be, but liegate has certainly caught them completely by surprise, that Lewis' apology wasn't universally accepted. How the story got twisted this way and that was amazing, to the point where the Hamiltons were throwing Ron Dennis out of F1, never mind the cute hapless long-serving Davey Ryan (was he ever called Davey before this?). Quite a few journalists never got that Ryan was as senior as he was, a known tough-guy disciplinarian, nor that Lewis was caught between being loyal and disciplined OR being honest, especially in Sepang. I suppose the right PR advisor could have made a difference there. Also the instinct to be aggressive in response isn't the right one, I do agree.

Sometimes the press overrate their effect on public opinion.
He isnt a politician that always needs good press. His reaction now is the classic 'fk u guys, thought you were nice but are really sharks' reaction young celebrities get once they realize the press couldnt care less about them personally, they'd write what sells papers and that usually involves kicking u when you're down or twisting the knife.

Press do really work as an amplifier, overhype good times and exxagerate the bad times....

As for the journalist, he talks like Lewis is really worried n losing sleep over his current relationship with the press. I doubt that, that mp4-24 trouble is enough.

And ironically Fernando Alonso said it best, he just has to hope for a competitive car and get back to winning. Once he does that, the press will have no choice but write decent things about him and public opinion will improve again (the point of all this talk about good press).
I really doubt it has suffered that much of a blow though, sportsmen are usually mainly judged by their sporting prowess and achievements, sporting legends n icons have got away with much much worse.

Only fanboys that make hating a daily job like MWM etc will remember slip-ups off the track and try to sensationalize it as some legacy defining stuff... and the press ofcourse (until his next win).

Don't worry undersquare, I'm still holding back for now, but at the end of the season, after Jensons WDC party, I'll get back to you on the fast-twitching muscle thingy.

That's all the Pussycat doll to blame.
Poor Lewis...