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Cool Lewis ready for Shanghai showdown
David Smith, Sports Correspondent17 Oct 2008
Lewis Hamilton today hit back at fierce criticism of his aggressive driving by dominating both opening practice sessions for Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.
As Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone demanded a "hard but fair" conclusion to an increasingly acrimonious season, Hamilton served notice of his intention to do all in his power to wrap up the title in Shanghai.
The 23-year-old British hope, who can claim a maiden world championship if he scores six points more than closest challenger Felipe Massa, beat the Ferrari ace by nearly half a second in morning practice and by nearly three quarters of a second in the afternoon.
Those are huge margins by Formula One standards and are hardly likely to help thaw the increasingly frosty relationship Hamilton has with his paddock rivals many of whom are angered by what they percieve as his reckless driving style.
Renault's Fernando Alonso, the two-times former champion who still bears a grudge against Hamilton after he was outraced by the rookie when they were McLaren team-mates last season, revealed he was prepared to help Massa win the championship and there are fears that other drivers with a grudge against Hamilton could do the same.
It is these concerns that drivers could gang up on the Briton that moved Ecclestone to attempt to defuse increasing tensions between the teams.
The sport's chief said: "We want fair play at all times. Hard and close racing, yes, but fair play, too, without drivers being put in danger.
"The wider world is watching and awaiting the outcome of what has turned into a great championship. We don't want it spoiled and we will crack down on any dirty tricks."
This morning, Red Bull driver Mark Webber denied saying Hamilton could kill somebody if the McLaren team leader persisted with making marginal overtaking manoeuvres like the one at the first corner in Japan last Sunday - a move which saw outgoing world champion Kimi Raikkonen run off the road.
But the Australian, an influential director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, admitted that Hamilton's overambitious move on Raikkonen had raised concerns which he will discuss with F1 race director Charlie Whiting at a briefing later this evening.
Reader views (8)
If Lewis Hamilton was not penalised in Spa and Fuji, he is already champion. It seems that the Ferrari team can get away from everything. To hand 2 extra points to Massa from his teammate to keep his championship hope alive is simply a joke to me. Why nobody talks about this?
- Kacey, Stuttagrt, Germany, 19/10/2008 23:14
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No petty jealously in the paddock because a young upstart is doing so well then, well that's good to see. Perhaps Lewis would be better simply letting all these seasoned and somewhat hypocritical old-hands pass him and then he would be really popular with the likes of that moaner Webber! Well I for 1 am rooting for him, cocky or not!!!
- Linz, Warlingham England, 17/10/2008 23:53
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People, such as Alonso, should be suspended from driving as, by saying they will do anything to stop Hamilton winning and by taking positive action to support Massa, they are bringing the sport into disrepute. Hamilton has been badly treated by the stewards this year and, having attended the Barcelona & Monza grand prix, I have no doubt that most of the criticism levied against him is racist which is a disgraceful state of affairs and needs to be stamped on now. The sooner Moseley goes the better.
- Roger Slade, Winchester, Hampshire, England, 17/10/2008 17:45
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Robin, Brentford,UK
What on earth are you on about? If you want arrogance have a look at ronaldo or maybe schumacher. As far as I can see Hamilton takes defeat and victory with the same grace.
- James Hennessy, london england, 17/10/2008 16:34
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Its absolute nonsense for Robin to say that Hamilton comes over as cocky and arrogant. He comes over as very cool and collected....as he should. Why cocky and arrogant? Because he is articulate, neat and well presented? I guess racing drivers should be semi-literate morons with awful haircuts like Button, Alonso and Kubica (now that he has given up attending going to the barber). Hamilton is special and he must believe this himself if he is to stay in control and win the title.
- Mark, London, 17/10/2008 16:27
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Hamilton is no more cocky and arroagant than Schumacher was.
The only difference between them is that Schumacher got away with everything, while Hamilton does not.
F1 is fast losing the plot, and needs some serious reorganising.
For one, it requires a team of strewards who attend all the races, and there must be no favouritism.
Malc
- Malc, London,England, 17/10/2008 12:38
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He had talent and you need agression to win - thats what made Schumacher a world champ. He is self confident and does give it the large one but hey, he is making history, he is young, rich and F1 driver and he's got Nicole Scherzinger!! - it doesn't get better than that..he's living the dream.
- F1 Critic, London, England, 17/10/2008 11:32
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Hamilton is no doubt a talented driver but personally he comes over as cocky and arrogant.
In the less regulated days of GP's he would already have been sorted out by his colleagues.
- Robin, Brentford, UK, 17/10/2008 09:44
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