I'm a fan of Hamilton because of how he is really unafraid of saying what he thinks. This interview is a perfect example of that. His frankness is certainly what makes him one of the most, if not THE MOST, popular drivers in F1.
Hope you enjoy this!
http://www.faz.net/a... ... 03604.html
Q: Some drivers of the 70s, like James Hunt, were style icons of their time. Is it still like that today?
A: No, there's no style any more in the paddock.
Q: Would you rather have been part of F1 during the 70s?
A: Why would I want that? It's much cooler nowadays. Nobody could really dance in the 70s, the parties weren't as good and the women weren't as good-looking! I'm grateful that I'm living nowadays and can do what I love so much.
Q: It is sometimes claimed that F1 has become boring compared to back in those days, that drivers are too squeaky-clean. Do you agree?
A: My perspective is different because I'm driving one of these insane cars - for me that is definitely not boring. It's the opposite - for me, it's the most exciting thing there is. I have a job and I love it. But I can imagine that it's a different case for the spectators. There is a car that crosses the finish line 30 seconds before everybody else. Recently, spectators haven't seen any real racing, no wheel-to-wheel battles. So of course it's going to be boring for people who already know what is going to happen.
Q:You're talking about Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull, who is 60 points ahead of Fernando Alonso and 96 ahead of you. Do you not want to congratulate him on his fourth title already?
A: Yeah I could do that. If I see him at the Driver's Parade on Sunday before the race I might congratulate him.
Q: Why is Vettel unbeatable at the moment?
A: He's not unbeatable, his car is.
Q: Mark Webber is in a Red Bull too, but he is only 5th in the Championship. Is it really only the car that makes the difference, or is it a combination of the car and driver?
A: For some, the driver is the key factor, for others, it's the car. It doesn't really make a difference to me. I'd rather concentrate on myself.
Q: Do you not ever think about why this guy is so quick and so successful?
A: No.
Q: Do you believe then, that Vettel is the fastest out there?
A: No. For me, Fernando Alonso is the quickest out of everyone.
Q: What is the difference between a World Champion and a great champion?
A: If I had to picture a real champion, he'd be a really tough racer and at the same time gracious towards the people that he works with. He would be humble and modest, he would inspire young people and shouldn't simply win, but make a difference in the world. But I'm not sure if there has been a driver like that in Formula One.
Q: What are your goals?
A: I have lots of goals, and most of them don't have anything to do with F1. Here, I want to win titles. Apart from that, I want to work as hard as possible to become what I have just described. There are many things that don't happen at a racetrack but are still important. Family, for example. I'm also involved in charity projects, I work with children, there are so many great things out there.
Q: You're always posting bible verses on Twitter. How did you come about your faith?
A: I grew up with it. Before I started karting, I was at the church almost every weekend. Many of my family are very religious, and I get closer to God year after year in my life. It feels really good.
Q: Mercedes has won three races this year, a noticeable improvement since the start. How much input have you had into the car?
A: I've influenced things since the first time I sat in the cockpit. I brought some ideas with me, and we've already used some of them, for example the seat position or how the buttons are laid out on the steering wheel. We've made some changes to make me feel more comfortable in the car. Now it's time for the fine-tuning. Next year the Mercedes will feel more like my car, it will suit me even better.
Q: Do you think you and Nico Rosberg will form the best driver pairing for next year?
A: No, I don't think so. It will be Alonso and Raikkonen at Ferrari.
Q: Why do you think those two are stronger?
A: I didn't say they were stronger. But both are among the best drivers here, so as a combination they'll have the measure of everything.
Q: You've driven beside Alonso at McLaren, and now you're experiencing being alongside Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. Which of the two is stronger?
A: Fernando is the strongest driver I have gone up against in my life. He's just unbelievably fast and damn aggressive on the track. At the time, we didn't speak much, we concentrated on our jobs and had an interesting duel. If you've gone up against Fernando, you don't have to fear anybody.
Q: Some Daimler shareholders keep demanding that Mercedes withdraw from F1. Is the series still suitable for such a group?
A: Yes it is. I've just ordered an electric Smart and in that there is a lot of technology that we have developed in F1. That's great. F1 is the perfect test lab for a car manufacturer. Mercedes has a great history in motorsport. F1 wouldn't be the same without Mercedes.
Q: How hard is it for you to retain your own personality within this million-Euro company with strict rules and regulations?
A: Mercedes is a huge company with a legacy which comes with that. Of course I have obligations here, that is clear. One of my obligations, for example, is to showcase the Mercedes brand. But I feel privileged to be able to do that.
Q: But, unlike your team mate Rosberg, you didn't want to wear a silver cap and you designed your own black version. Why was that so important to you?
A: I've had to wear some terrible caps over the past 6 years in F1. I didn't feel like doing it any more. So I wanted a cap that I liked, so we developed one together.