How good is Lewis Hamilton

[XTC]

Ok I know he has a great car, but still... "I've seen it on computer games!"



Hamilton had never driven Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before his victory, but he had at least practised on McLaren's simulator in Woking.

"I actually haven't been on the simulator for Indianapolis," said the 22-year-old.

"I've seen it on computer games but I don't really know what to expect

[Bagpuss]

How many rookies start in the best car?

[chicane]

Damon Hill did.
Any then they put him in the Arrows.
Poor thing.

[Bagpuss]

Damon Hill did.
Any then they put him in the Arrows.
Poor thing.

Yes and he almost won a grand prix in it, until the gearbox stuck. Also, Hill wasn't one of the greats but almost won in his first year thanks to the car.
So let's not get all ITV F1 just yet.

[XTC]

How many rookies start in the best car?

He has the same car as Alonso who has far more experience. Yes he has the best car and it's almost a shame he does because people are implying without it he wouldn't be winning. He has an enourmous amount of talent. For a rookie to come into F1 and do what he has done in his first year is pretty incredible.

[Bagpuss]

He has the same car as Alonso who has far more experience. Yes he has the best car and it's almost a shame he does because people are implying without it he wouldn't be winning. He has an enourmous amount of talent. For a rookie to come into F1 and do what he has done in his first year is pretty incredible.

That's because without the best car he wouldn't be winning (he's won 1). The rookie thing is hyperbole because few rookies get a good seat. Jos Verstappen used to beat schumacher in karts, he never had a top drive so was never anywhere in F1. Mika Salo was on the pace straight away for Ferrari when schumacher broke his leg. It's much easier in the best car.

[wendigo100]

He's still good though.

So was Button but he preferred the playboy side of things - shagging, partying and all that stuff. I can't understand it myself.

[Bagpuss]

Ok here's another rookie who had the best car, Is JV one of the greats?

1996 Jacques Villeneuve

Grand Prix/Date/Team/Grid/Race Pos
Australian 10/03/1996 Williams-Renault 1 2
Brazilian 31/03/1996 Williams-Renault 3 Ret
Argentine 07/04/1996 Williams-Renault 3 2
European 28/04/1996 Williams-Renault 2 1
San Marino 05/05/1996 Williams-Renault 3 11
Monaco 19/05/1996 Williams-Renault 10 Ret
Spanish 02/06/1996 Williams-Renault 2 3
Canadian 16/06/1996 Williams-Renault 2 2
French 30/06/1996 Williams-Renault 6 2
British 14/07/1996 Williams-Renault 2 1
German 28/07/1996 Williams-Renault 6 3
Hungarian 11/08/1996 Williams-Renault 3 1
Belgian 25/08/1996 Williams-Renault 1 2
Italian 08/09/1996 Williams-Renault 2 7
Portuguese 22/09/1996 Williams-Renault 2 1
Japanese 13/10/1996 Williams-Renault 1 Ret

Championship 2nd

4 wins, 3 poles, 12 podiums

under the current points system would have prob been champion

[VectraMan]

Yes, but there's a big difference between being 60 seconds behind your more experienced teammate but still getting second because the car has such a big advantage, and performing more or less the same as your more experienced teammate and sometimes beating him.

I'm a bit sick of the media coverage, but he undoubtedly has talent.

[wendigo100]

The debate about Hamilton's Academic.