Hamilton; surely he's not going to blow it again? Is he?

[Andy in Sig]

If you take it as given that F1 drivers have to be...

1) Incredibly skilled.
2) Super fit.

Which part of 'sportsman' are they failing on?

Not providing the power to do what they do i.e. it would count if their cars had little pedals.

 

[Mr Pig]

All I'm saying is is that car driving can't really be regarded as a sport.

You are kidding aren't you? Driving an F1 car will be far more physically and mentally demanding that playing football, rugby, or any number of other 'sports you care to mention. And lets not even talk about crap like darts, bowls, etc, and how many football players get killed on the pitch?

 

[llllllll]

If you take it as given that F1 drivers have to be...

1) Incredibly skilled.
2) Super fit.

Which part of 'sportsman' are they failing on?

The fact that the car has more effect on the outcome than the driver. F1 is a business not a sport, you only need look at some of stewards decissions this year to see that.

 

[marinyork]

The fact that the car has more effect on the outcome than the driver. F1 is a business not a sport, you only need look at some of stewards decissions this year to see that.

Juan Manuel Fangio was famous for saying "In my day it was 90% car, 10% driver, now it is 95% car and 5% driver." It's not changed for an awful long time. Sadly ferrari have badly lost their way since those days.

 

[Mr Pig]

The fact that the car has more effect on the outcome than the driver.

Yes and know. You could say that about any sport where tools are used. And without that 5% driving skill you're still not going to win no matter how good your car is.

Boy's good, you can't take that away from him.

 

[Maz]

You are kidding aren't you? Driving an F1 car will be far more physically and mentally demanding that playing football, rugby,

Driving an F1 car more physical than football or rugby? I doubt it somehow.

 

[ChrisKH]

You are kidding aren't you? Driving an F1 car will be far more physically and mentally demanding that playing football, rugby, or any number of other 'sports you care to mention. And lets not even talk about crap like darts, bowls, etc, and how many football players get killed on the pitch?

Maybe but not in the same sort of way. From a physical perspective there's a lot more to football and rugby IMO. That's not to say F1 isn't demanding but they're not really comparable skill sets are they? Otherwise Hamilton would be playing on the wing for England. And let's face it, you can be the best driver in the world, but without a good car, it's all over. And the comparison fails when you remember that F1 has no team aspect to it. He is the team. This should not detract from how good he is at what he does, he is an exceptional driver. But that's all he is. Without doubt he is fit and strong. But as fit as a top premiership footballer or rugby player? Sorry, no.

 

[Melvil]

Maybe but not in the same sort of way. From a physical perspective there's a lot more to football and rugby IMO. That's not to say F1 isn't demanding but they're not really comparable skill sets are they? Otherwise Hamilton would be playing on the wing for England. And let's face it, you can be the best driver in the world, but without a good car, it's all over. And the comparison fails when you remember that F1 has no team aspect to it. He is the team. This should not detract from how good he is at what he does, he is an exceptional driver. But that's all he is. Without doubt he is fit and strong. But as fit as a top premiership footballer or rugby player? Sorry, no.

Are top badminton and tennis players as 'fit' cardiovascularly as top TdF or marathon competitors?...probably not. Does it make them any 'less' great as sportspeople?...probably not.

Can a person in an inferior car win due to driving skills alone? I give you Sebastian Vettel in Monza this year.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Maybe but not in the same sort of way. From a physical perspective there's a lot more to football and rugby IMO. That's not to say F1 isn't demanding but they're not really comparable skill sets are they? Otherwise Hamilton would be playing on the wing for England. And let's face it, you can be the best driver in the world, but without a good car, it's all over. And the comparison fails when you remember that F1 has no team aspect to it. He is the team. This should not detract from how good he is at what he does, he is an exceptional driver. But that's all he is. Without doubt he is fit and strong. But as fit as a top premiership footballer or rugby player? Sorry, no.

ayrton senna won races with an uncompetitive car. he managed to win in a lotus after 2 races, something mansell never managed in 4 seasons. i'd like to see how hamilton manages in a red bull, for example.

 

[col]

I think its not possible to campare fitness and strenght from driving to field events or any cardiovascular activity.Suffice to say its called motor sport.

 

[marinyork]

ayrton senna won races with an uncompetitive car. he managed to win in a lotus after 2 races, something mansell never managed in 4 seasons. i'd like to see how hamilton manages in a red bull, for example.

That's perhaps not as crazy as it sounds. Sadly with the reg changes next year the chasing pack - renault, BMW, Red Bull and (sometimes)Toro Rosso will probably be upset. That's not an entirely fair comparison as the Lotus for Mansell's first couple of years was poor and unreliable. However Senna's first year at Lotus got better results than Elio even though Elio had the better luck on retirements.

 

[ChrisKH]

Are top badminton and tennis players as 'fit' cardiovascularly as top TdF or marathon competitors?...probably not. Does it make them any 'less' great as sportspeople?...probably not.

Can a person in an inferior car win due to driving skills alone? I give you Sebastian Vettel in Monza this year.

The point I was trying to make (obviously quite badly) is that F1 places less demands on the physical. Mr Pig said F1 driving was more physically demanding than rugby. I disagree. I made no reference to Lewis being a sportsman, or not.

No doubt an inferior car can win races. But you don't become F1 champion with one.

 

[ChrisKH]

Bet you Lewis Hamilton can run quicker than Jonny Wilkinson

I bet I could at the moment.

 

[bikie]

The whole last lap was wet and glock was going every bit as quick as hamilton, I don't know how the wet conditions just caught out glock on the last bend when he was going fine through the tight bends earlier on the last lap.

 

[mr Mag00]

i would like to see most of us deal with the g forces involved its not a drive to the shop for milk and paper you know