[morini]

there isn’t much between them in my opinion

Our opinions differ LL, an awful lot. Hamilton s in a different league completely and I'm convinced if you put him and Vettel in each others cars Hamiton would still come out on top. I've been watching F1 since the early 70's and I put Hamilton in the same league as Ayrton Senna. He is the best British F1 driver (by a long way) in my lifetime and soon to be a deserved 5 times WDC. You've only got to watch his onboards in changeable conditions to realise he has that something "extra". Nobody I'd rather watch do a hot qualy lap than Lewis Hamilton.

People can judge him on his persona / lifestyle as much as they want. I judge him on his driving displays.

By the way, I also disagree with your comment about Hamilton making the same mistakes as Vettel. Not in a million years!! He's solid as a rock and doesn't cock up like that under pressure. That's why these two guys are not in the same league.

[edit] And to keep the post on topic of the thread, Hamilton was absolutely awesome throughout this Japanese GP weekend. Notched 80 poles and a 5th win in Japan.

[Antilochos]

Hamilton is doing a good job, a great job, but I think you guys are giving him to much credit when comparing him to Senna.
Hamilton has been dominant because he is in the best car and with the best overal team in the sport. Would he be driving where Alonso is, nobody would be mentioning him. I mean, Hamilton had Rosberg as a teammate and got challenged by Rosberg (and beaten even). Rosberg is good, but is he toplevel Senna or Schumacher level?

I do believe that Verstappen will beat Hamilton when both in the same car. And this is Verstappen that is still young and learning but that learning curve is so impressive, the speed on that kid is something I haven't seen for a long time. Where was Hamilton on this age? Compare with Senna again goes off here.
If Rosberg could challenge Hamilton as teammates, Vettel could as well (not saying Vettel is messing everything up right now).
Alonso would challenge and beat Hamilton.
Ricciardo would keep Hamilton honest.
Still waiting how Leclerc will develop, but he is young and could reach that level as well.
Again, I believe Hamilton is one of the best drivers out there, but how can we really know how good he is? How can we compare him with the likes of Senna (actually I think comparing drivers from different era's is useless)?

But that is my opinion and I don't expect to change many minds here...

[PapaofGags]

Chuffed for you Morini, flying halfway around the world, you missed the Typhoon & "our guy" wins.  


A weekend that will live with you both for the rest of your lives, enjoy.  

[LotusLover]

Hamilton is doing a good job, a great job, but I think you guys are giving him to much credit when comparing him to Senna.
Hamilton has been dominant because he is in the best car and with the best overal team in the sport. Would he be driving where Alonso is, nobody would be mentioning him. I mean, Hamilton had Rosberg as a teammate and got challenged by Rosberg (and beaten even). Rosberg is good, but is he toplevel Senna or Schumacher level?

I do believe that Verstappen will beat Hamilton when both in the same car. And this is Verstappen that is still young and learning but that learning curve is so impressive, the speed on that kid is something I haven't seen for a long time. Where was Hamilton on this age? Compare with Senna again goes off here.
If Rosberg could challenge Hamilton as teammates, Vettel could as well (not saying Vettel is messing everything up right now).
Alonso would challenge and beat Hamilton.
Ricciardo would keep Hamilton honest.
Still waiting how Leclerc will develop, but he is young and could reach that level as well.
Again, I believe Hamilton is one of the best drivers out there, but how can we really know how good he is? How can we compare him with the likes of Senna (actually I think comparing drivers from different era's is useless)?

But that is my opinion and I don't expect to change many minds here...

I am inclined to agree Anti, when saying Hamilton has made errors he has made PLENTY over his career Seb is making them at the worst possible time,I firmly believe the dynamics of the team are a MAJOR factor too many Lewis fans attribute 90% to him its blinkered imo. I was thinking ask yourself 6 years ago who would realistically of said Lewis over Vettel not many except fans of individuals. Lewis is in a golden moment no denying but let’s not get all gooey and say it’s down to Lewis alone no way just no way ever and I reckon he as said as much himself

---

there isn’t much between them in my opinion

Our opinions differ LL, an awful lot. Hamilton s in a different league completely and I'm convinced if you put him and Vettel in each others cars Hamiton would still come out on top. I've been watching F1 since the early 70's and I put Hamilton in the same league as Ayrton Senna. He is the best British F1 driver (by a long way) in my lifetime and soon to be a deserved 5 times WDC. You've only got to watch his onboards in changeable conditions to realise he has that something "extra". Nobody I'd rather watch do a hot qualy lap than Lewis Hamilton.

People can judge him on his persona / lifestyle as much as they want. I judge him on his driving displays.

By the way, I also disagree with your comment about Hamilton making the same mistakes as Vettel. Not in a million years!! He's solid as a rock and doesn't cock up like that under pressure. That's why these two guys are not in the same league.

[edit] And to keep the post on topic of the thread, Hamilton was absolutely awesome throughout this Japanese GP weekend. Notched 80 poles and a 5th win in Japan.

I’m not on about now you do realise that I hope? Lewis has made many mistakes that cost him points or wins at Mclaren less so at Mercedes but he has still made errors? But I have to keep saying he is on top of his game right now but give credit too Mercedes they put him in these positions with the machine and excellent strategies oh and yes no disputing he is the best British driver and deserves WDC

[Monster Hesh]

Zero surprises.

[morini]

I do believe that Verstappen will beat Hamilton when both in the same car.

Verstappen is a mega talented kid Anti, of that I have no doubt. I think he will be the next dominant force in F1 when Hamilton leaves the sport, however he is not the complete racer yet and has some more learning to do before he's the finished article. I doubt he'd beat Hamilton over a season in the same car as it stands today, for a number of reasons. Hamilton is (for me)

1. The quickest one lap specialist I have ever seen (and I include the great Senna).
2. The best wet weather / changeable conditions driver I have ever seen (bar nobody).
3. A true sporting racer with great race craft. He likes to win, hates to lose but isn't a cheat and has a British sense of fair play.

I consider myself very privileged to have watched him at pivotal moments in two WDC campaigns. I know this year is not mathematically over, but the form Hamilton is in he would need 4 DNF's in a row to lose this year. The fat lady is warbling away in the background, can you hear her?

I was there in person to see him win a WDC in 2015 and I was there in person to see him "all but win" a WDC in 2018 at Suzuka (one of my all time favourite circuits). I would dearly love to be at COTA in two weeks time, unfortunately after this trip my wallet is in intensive care. It really is in dire need of some open wallet surgery. Either that or I should put it out of it's misery and file for bankruptcy!

[morini]

I firmly believe the dynamics of the team are a MAJOR factor too many Lewis fans attribute 90% to him its blinkered imo.

Yes, of course, it's a team sport. But we are talking about driver talent here and all I'm saying is Hamilton is better (much, much better) than Vettel. He delivers as part of a team and it's why Mercedes think he's worth his astronomical salary! Vettel should be looking at a pay cut the way he's perfomed in that car this year.

[LotusLover]

I firmly believe the dynamics of the team are a MAJOR factor too many Lewis fans attribute 90% to him its blinkered imo.

Yes, of course, it's a team sport. But we are talking about driver talent here and all I'm saying is Hamilton is better (much, much better) than Vettel. He delivers as part of a team and it's why Mercedes think he's worth his astronomical salary! Vettel should be looking at a pay cut the way he's perfomed in that car this year.

I wouldn’t argue on the pay cut, it’s all about the now of course, all I am saying is they all have the talent it’s the confidence that makes you stand out, when it’s going for any sportsman in any sport  it’s what gives them the unbeatable feeling, with this sport the team and harmony is probably a 50/50 and as I’ve said Vettel has been where Lewis has been and now he has lost it! For me Lewis is not better by much in terms of talent but on current form and confidence he is way way ahead. We won’t agree and we only have opinions none of it is completely founded but hey that’s forums!! Shame about your wallet well that’s the price you pay for fanboyism (JOKING)

[NeilP]

Its not often I stick my head into Hamilton discussions with any real passion because I long ago accepted you love him or you hate him, maybe, MAYBE there are a few on here who are neutral.

You dont become a 4 and probably soon to be 5 time world champion at anything unless you are an amazing talent.

Hamilton is far and away the best and most complete driver in F1 right now, that includes the departing Alonso and it absolutely includes the boy wonder Verstappen. I am sure his time will come, would he beat Lewis in the same car, in some races yes I am sure he would over a season I highly doubt it. The Suzuka race of yesterday provided yet again more reasons why he is not ready to assume that mantle.

Lincoln City would win the Premier League if they had the same amount of money as Manchester City do... erm no it does not work like that in soccer or motor racing.


Hamilton has DESTROYED Vettel since the summer break, he has applied more and more pressure on Sebastian and he has been ever more desperate to reply but in truth he has lost control of himself as he has done several times this season.

I get you (I am generalizing) do not like his lifestyle, his persona, think he is fake, hate his sense of fashion or his haircut but if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell yourself he is not that he is a special, great, amazing talent then you should be a Politician because they too excel at bending the truth, painting a different picture, avoiding reality.

I may know nothing about the intricacies of the sport, especially the cars but I know greatness in any sport I follow it is obvious it smacks you in the face if your eyes are fully open. He will rightly go down as one of the greatest ever drivers in Formula 1, comparing eras in any sport is a pointless exercise and I will not do so here.  His record if nothing else speaks for itself and if you want to ignore that, then that is your choice but you are blinkered in my mind.

[LotusLover]

Neil F1 is a funny thing, if you consider that if they hadn’t changed to a hybrid era we could well of seen a 7 time WDC in Vettel with RBR,(the argument will always be akin to the great MS “oh the car was dominant) and I do not think I exaggerate there, Lewis would of been nowhere just another Damon Hill (class driver btw) and here is the point, ppl say, (I generalise) Lewis will be 5 time WDC I would put my house on that, so he is undoubtedly great but when people start saying 4 time champion is poor or 7 time champion was not the greatest driver WTF how can people make such judgements yet applaud Lewis above all others, people will say Stirling Moss was greatest driver to not win a title or Jim Clark would of won 8/9 titles he was that good!! It’s all about opinions and touches of fanboy sentiments. ALL drivers who win World titles are EXCEPTIONAL talents the sad thing with F1 is we don’t get to test our theories because teams rarely pitch two multiple WDCs in the same team with the same machinery. We did with Prost and Senna actually!

NOONE I think is disputing Lewis is up there in the GREAT category! But because he is on a high and Vettel is on a low should not detract that both are very close in talent just at different times of their careers.

I rest my case your honour

PS Neil that signed photo really isn’t very good lol paper