Hamilton: F1 impossible for fans to relate to
- Published on 03 Jul 2019 17:45
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Lewis Hamilton says the exclusivity of Formula 1 makes the sport difficult for fans to relate to, which they are able to do with other sports.
Hamilton stated that he can play basketball and tennis and feel like he's one of the stars of that sport, but pointed out only 20 people can drive a lap of an F1 car the way he's able to.
"There are only 20 of us in the world and there's no one in the public domain that can go and drive the car like we are driving the car," the five-time world champion said.
"Even I go and play basketball and feel like LeBron for a second, or Steph Curry. Sometimes I play tennis, I get it right in the corner, it's a great serve and I feel like Federer for a second.
"You can't get in a Formula 1 car and do a lap like I can do a lap and say 'I felt like how Lewis did it'. It's harder to relate to and to see the nuances, the differences and the edge we're on."
Hamilton affirmed that he doesn't care how he's viewed to the outside world, as he knows himself when he is performing well or not.
"I don't really care necessarily," he said. "I don't mean that in a negative way it's just people have different opinions. That doesn't dictate to me if I'm doing a good or bad job. I know if I'm doing a good or bad job.
"I know how I'm performing and if I've got more potential in myself. I know the great work within my team and if I'm not doing that great on a weekend."
After picking up his lowest result of the season last time out in Austria, crossing the line in fifth place, Hamilton holds a 31 point lead in the championship over teammate Valtteri Bottas.
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I can feel like Schumacher whenever I attend a gokart track... Or beat everyone in a McLaren Honda in F1 2017 the game... Or I could drive past a bus and pretend I am lapping a Williams for the third time! I don't think that is why it is unrelatable, it's that it's be overglamourified props to Ecclestone. The costs are too high to attend, and earlier it was hard to watch due to all the exclusitivity deals. The latter has Liberty addressed somewhat thanks to F1TV (which is pretty great), but there is work left.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I think the ivory tower brand of F1 is at the essence of its appeal. Glamour, glitz, celebrities, and luxury as fine, and people will love it... So long as there is good racing. Fans would forgive a lot of the bullshit and politics of the sport if we're having good races. It honestly think it's that simple. Yes... People would rather have the Noise, no DRS gimmicks, etc. But in races like Austria you didn't hear anyone complain about Max using DRS for his overtake.
I see what Lewis is saying he is overestimating the unrelatability of the sport. Like you Calle, I think of F1 when taking corners and hugging the inside, when taking a corner on the highway, and yes 100% while karting.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh absolutely, I don't mind those aspects, my pet peeve is more the costs to attend races. The rest is fine (my love for the Monaco GP, one of the most debated venues, is in part due to the glamour). And I agree the race quality is weird. I believe you and me had a discussion regarding the rule changes maybe worsening the racing from 2018->2019, and we kinda had it right. I don't mind DRS, though I still think it was better last year and too OP this year. I am however very interested in the budget cap.
f1ski
Posts: 726
i think today more than ever with super slow motion fans can see how the cars slide how skilled the drivers are. I do think when the organizing bodies make the rules that end up favoring those at the top that makes sport seem too much like real life where the politicians make rules that favor the rich favor the companies that funnel money to the politicians . When the fans see how close the racing is between the midfield and how far up the road the top 3 teams are it loses its interest. At the peak of its popularity it has been said that back marker teams would get a notice they wouldn't be scrutinized to allow them to get some lead time to satisfy sponsors. Good competition get fan interest up that brings money to the sport. I think lose their appreciation about the skill of the drivers when one car is so dominant. I hope Lewis realizes had he been with ferrari or red bull he would have had never broken all the records he has broken. I think Hamilton hurt from all the attention Max is receiving and realizes his time at the top is fading.
mansell0050
Posts: 5
I understand where Lewis is coming from, however, what motorsport can we relate to in this way he describes?? I do Sim Racing and to me that relates to it as best it can. I race against others and if i beat them I can feel like a top class race car driver. I think his message is not right as there are a lot more than 20 drivers who can drive today's cars.
cricho
Posts: 80
What a premadonna!
Motorsports including F1 are just that.
Its not polo or curling....simple car racing!
Anybody can relate to motorsports! People love it!
Wanker!
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Lame. Not sure how this is newsworthy.