Lewis Hamilton Deserves our Respect After Sealing Third World Title...
He is Well On The Way to Becoming Greatest British Driver of All-Time and is Crucial for Formula One
- Lewis Hamilton won third world title on Sunday with US Grand Prix victory
- Hamilton splits opinion but it is time to start appreciating what we have
- 2014 Sports Personality of the Year must be frontrunner for this 2015 gong
- Only Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost have won more grands prix
- Sir Jackie Stewart has tipped Hamilton to win five or six championships
Daily Mail UK, 26 October 2015
Hamilton crosses the line to finish in Austin - it's time to start appreciating what we have
The 30-year-old claimed victory at the US Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday night to seal his third championship
Just look at the stats. As well as making history by sealing successive titles, the Stevenage-born star has equalled Sir Jackie Stewart with three Formula One crowns, surpassing Jim Clark and Graham Hill in the process.
Only Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost have won more grands prix than Hamilton (43), who still has plenty of years left in him at the age of 30.
With Jenson Button floundering, Hamilton is flying the flag and is relishing the responsibility. After emulating his hero Ayrton Senna, he is carrying the baton for the Brazilian and is the star of this generation.
He had his back against the wall last season with Nico Rosberg using every tactic at his disposal - even shunting him to an early retirement in Belgium - to open up a wide championship lead but still recovered. What has followed this year has been complete and utter domination.
Rosberg's petulant attitude after Sunday's US Grand Prix stunk of a man who knew he could just not beat his team-mate. Again, Hamilton had it all to do and again, he kept his cool when it mattered most to claim the defining victory in Austin.
Sure, many will point to the fact that he has the best car, that anyone could win in this Mercedes. But Hamilton has earned this opportunity and is taking it with both hands. When he left established winners McLaren three years ago he was told he had made the wrong decision, but instead, it was a masterstroke.
It was a wise choice, and that maturity has been reflected in his driving style. Lewis maintains a brave, aggressive streak while taking a bigger interest in tyre management and has even been advising his engineers this season.
Stewart has even predicted that Hamilton can get close to the great Michael Schumacher if he sticks around with the German outfit.
'He is now looking forward to winning more,' the 73-year-old said. 'He's got a lot of years ahead of him, he's got every opportunity of winning four or five. It could be five or six in this Mercedes.'
At a time when England are exiting World Cups with a whimper, we should be embracing Hamilton while he's still around.
Last year's Sports Personality of the Year must surely be a frontrunner for the 2015 gong, and is well on the way to becoming the best British driver of all-time.
If he ever catches Schumacher, he could even be the greatest sportsman ever to have graced from these shores. Hamilton deserves respect.
Lewis Hamiilton claimed his third world title after winning the US Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on Sunday in Austin
Hamilton jumps for joy in front of second-placed Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel who finished third
The 30-year-old from Stevenage throws his arms in the air in celebration as beaten Rosberg and Vettel look on from the podium
An emotional Hamilton rubs his face and drinks from the trophy but Rosberg (left) looked less than impressed for his Mercedes team-mate
Hamilton told the Mercedes team after winning his third world title: 'It's the greatest moment of my life. Thank you guys so much, for everything you do. I'm so grateful. To my family, I love you all, thank you.'
A beaming Hamilton clenches his fist in celebration before launching his trophy high into the air in front of the Union Jack flag
Hamilton is sprayed with champagne as the Brit celebrated equaling Sir Jackie Stewart's record of three championship victories
Hamilton, pictured trailed by Rosberg, struggled with his tyres for much of Sunday's race but came through to claim victory
Right behind Rosberg on the 29th lap, Hamilton asked his engineer: 'Is there a massive difference between our tyres?'
Championship leader Hamilton was down in fourth on lap 18 behind rival Nico Rosberg, Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo
Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Rosberg, who started the race in pole position, exits the pits ahead of Kvyat
The race leaders take a bend at Circuit of The Americas during the early stages of Sunday's Grand Prix in the United States
The cars race into the first corner at the US Grand Prix - the drivers had no chance to test out the tyres after the weekend's postponement
There was little hope in the conditions. After the rain of the last few days, the chance of a skies opening again during the race was rated at only 20 per cent. The fantails of water that had spewed off the cars in the early stages of the race had now evaporated.
But, as if manna from heaven, Marcus Ericsson’s Sauber pulled up lame, and the safety car came out. It bunched Hamilton right up behind Rosberg. Could the pursuing Hamilton jump Rosberg when the race was restarted?
The answer on this unpredictable day was no. Hamilton had, however, got right on Rosberg’s back wing when another virtual safety car was deployed. At this point Rosberg pitted to be re-shod. Hamilton did not, and it seemed damaging to our hero’s chances.
But yet another safety car period, after Daniil Kvyat’s Red Bull spiralled off the road, allowed Hamilton in to change tyres without suffering lost time. He came out in second, on Rosberg’s tail. Game on. The warning came over the radio to keep it clean. The rest was historic.
In British terms the third title put him on a par with Sir Jackie Stewart; in world terms level with only nine others – a roll call of the immortals comprising, as well as Stewart, Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel, Sir Jack Brabham, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Senna.
It is the last name on the list that stirs Hamilton’s blood. ‘He is the coolest, smoothest, most determined-to-win driver I’ve ever seen,’ Hamilton told Sportsmail before he had even raced an F1 car. ‘He was the man. That’s what I want to be.’
Here in the Lone Star State, Hamilton won his 43rd race to Senna’s 41. Hamilton has exceeded his life’s ambitions. He is only 30 and in the middle of his career.
McLaren's Fernando Alonso (second right) collided with Valtteri Bottas (top right) during the second lap of Sunday's Grand Prix
Track workers quickly pick up parts as they clean the track after the collision at the Circuit of The Americas
McLaren's Jenson Button races through a rain soaked-circuit and managed to get up to fifth with 10 laps remaining
The night before Lewis Hamilton set a British record by clinching back-to-back world championships, he shared a video of his pet bulldog wearing a party hat with his 1.9million Instagram followers. It was Roscoe's birthday, you see.
On the eve of his title win, Hamilton was celebrating his pet bulldog Roscoe's birthday on Instagram
This followed social media images of himself with the likes of Kylie Jenner, Ellie Goulding and Will Smith at fashion shows and the rest. He is full of confidence off the track, as well as on it and makes the most of his breaks between races.
Hamilton poses with Kylie Jenner at a Balmain H&M collection launch in New York last week
The Stevenage-born racer poses alongside actor Will Smith - he is a crucial personality for Formula One
Quote:
LEWIS HAMILTON'S MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK ON MONDAY
Moments like these are rare yet powerful beyond measure. The journey is not over yet but the happiness I feel today could light up a city. What a dream it is to wake up as a 3x F1 World Champion. I am but a small link in a big chain of great people who have helped me along the way. I want to take this moment to thank them. #TeamLH, there is nothing we cannot do, reach, or conquer. We do it together. Dream big, people. It's time to go out and get it.
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Nico Rosberg petulantly threw his cap at his Mercedes team-mate in the green room after the race on Sunday
Hamilton just about got the better of Rosberg last year but has dominated this year's championship
When the German threw his cap at his Mercedes team-mate in the green room following the race before ignoring a handshake and the champagne celebrations, Hamilton actually came across as the bigger man in the public eye. It has not always been like this.
The 1996 world champion Damon Hill suggested earlier in the season that Lewis was taking his eye off the ball after Rosberg edged him at the Spanish Grand Prix. Hill said his countryman must have been suffering with jet lag after travelling to watch a Floyd Mayweather flight in Las Vegas, while his competitors were getting their heads down. 'His first task is to win races,' he said.
Hamilton, who was pictured getting close to Rihanna at a festival in the Caribbean in August, has frequently referred to his 'mega balance' when posed this question, and says he is enjoying life more than ever on a sporting and personal level.
After an almost faultless season, the best of his career, it is hard to argue. Keep doing what you're doing, as a role model on both fronts.
He lives a jet-set, party lifestyle but this is what Formula One used to be all about. Take Hill and James Hunt. Hamilton possesses something no other current driver on the grid has, the personality to sell the sport. It looks as though we are entering another sustained period of success following Sebastian Vettel's, but whatever happens, Hamilton excites.
Hamilton has been accused of not taking the sport seriously while his immense self-assurance can be perceived as arrogance; it's not to everybody's taste. But after his latest triumph, it is time to appreciate what we have.
The Brit has been criticised for his party lifestyle in between races (pictured with Rihanna in August)
Only Michael Schumacher (above, left) and Alain Prost have won more grands prix than Hamilton
Sir Jackie Stewart congratulates Lewis after he equalled his British record of three world titles
Quote:
LEWIS HAMILTON BECOMES THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION
MOST CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
Hamilton becomes the 10th driver to win a hat-trick of championships:
7 Michael Schumacher (Ger)
5 Juan Manuel Fangio (Arg)
4 Alain Prost (Fra), Sebastian Vettel (Ger)
3 Jack Brabham (Aus), Jackie Stewart (GB), Niki Lauda (Aut), Nelson Piquet (Bra), Ayrton Senna (Bra), LEWIS HAMILTON (GB)
CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hamilton becomes the first British drive to win back-to-back championships:
5 Michael Schumacher (Ger, 2000-04)
4 Juan Manuel Fangio (Arg, 1954-57), Sebastian Vettel (Ger, 2010-13)
2 Alberto Ascari (Ita, 1952-53), Jack Brabham (Aus, 1959-60), Alain Prost (Fra, 1985-86), Ayrton Senna (Bra, 1990-91), Schumacher (1994-95), Mika Hakkinen (Fin, 1998-99), Fernando Alonso (Spa, 2005-06), LEWIS HAMILTON (GB, 2014-15)
MOST RACE WINS
91 — Michael Schumacher
51 — Alain Prost
43 — LEWIS HAMILTON
42 — Sebastian Vettel
41 — Ayrton Senna
MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS BY COUNTRY
16 GREAT BRITAIN (3 — Hamilton, Stewart; 2 — G Hill, Jim Clark; 1 — Hawthorn, Surtees, Hunt, Mansell, D Hill, Button)
(Hamilton equals Sir Jackie Stewart's record of three championships (won last title in 1973).
11 Germany (7 — Schumacher; 4 — Vettel)
8 Brazil (3 — Piquet, Senna; 2 — Fittipaldi)
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Hamilton won the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year award and he must be a frontrunner for this year's gong
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