The Hamilton Report...............Part II

[jsmyle1%...]

BACK.........by popular demand.

Let's see what happens in season number 2 for Lewis Hamilton...

He now knows all the tracks, and he should be really good without traction control. Plus, he might not have the distraction of intra-squad tensions and drama...........yeah right!

Looks like he might be off to a good start, huh?

F1: Hamilton Sets Testing Pace at Jerez Day 2

http://www.speedtv.com/article...41948/

[vwpiloto]

Quote, originally posted by jsmyle1%@vw »

Let's see what happens in season number 2 for Lewis Hamilton... He now knows all the tracks,

Well, he did do his best races on tracks that he didn't know.

[SoCal_SFVR6]

Grrrr! I'm gonna start the "Raikkonen report"!!!!! I seriously tried to be a Hamilton fan, but no go. I don't dislike the guy or wish him badluck, him and his father just bugg me! Skills aside, he is always just faaaaar too happy. It comes across as alittle too fake for me. Plus he is new and really good so I have to resent him right? (Jeffgordon syndrom) I like angry,real drivers.
Ill watch Kimi be a dull, semi-angry guy who wins back to back championships!

[scarboroughdub]

agreed, seems as if hamilton has a pickle up his butt 24/7 and the smile on his face shows that he is enjoying it.

Im gonna have to say that stone cold kimi is my choice too.

[kfzmeister]

Quote, originally posted by vwpiloto »

Well, he did do his best races on tracks that he didn't know.

All of the drivers have access to a very realistic game simulator. I think that there a a couple of drivers that don't check out new tracks via this simulator (Kimi is one).

To say that he never drove any of those tracks is somewhat of an understatement. I'm sure that he spent hours checking out simulations. But hey,.....he did have an enourmous first season. Let's see what happens next year.

[Mtouring554]

Quote, originally posted by scarboroughdub »

agreed, seems as if hamilton has a pickle up his butt 24/7 and the smile on his face shows that he is enjoying it. Im gonna have to say that stone cold kimi is my choice too.

your all racist for hating hamilton!

im a kimi fan tho!

[vwpiloto]

Quote, originally posted by kfzmeister »

All of the drivers have access to a very realistic game simulator. I think that there a a couple of drivers that don't check out new tracks via this simulator (Kimi is one). To say that he never drove any of those tracks is somewhat of an understatement. I'm sure that he spent hours checking out simulations. But hey,.....he did have an enourmous first season. Let's see what happens next year.

True to some extent. It make you familiar with the track layout, gearing, etc, but not the feel. I do recall Alonso saying that McLaren's simulator made Renault's look like a PS2.

[dubsix]

seriously though he is living his dream out and then some... i sure as f#c( would be smiling my ass off too.

[kfzmeister]

Quote, originally posted by vwpiloto »

I do recall Alonso saying that McLaren's simulator made Renault's look like a PS2.

Even the PS2 games that they have in Europe are good simulators. Many F1 drivers use those games to drive on tracks prior to actually experiencing them in real.

The point of my comment is to dispell the notion that Hamilton was so good on tracks that he "supposedly never experienced".

I've never driven the Nurburgring, but would immediately do well if I drove it in real due to the numerous times that I "attacked" it on PS2's latest Gran Tourismo. Drive it enough and you'll know the circuit. If you've got an added bonus of having Hamilton's talent, you're assured an F1 win or two immediately out the box.

Belieeeeee dat!

[madeurotuner]

Well he better do pretty well because he said he wants to win seven championships. So he better get to work.

Anyways, the Ice Man is going to show them who is boss, again.

[wiredvw]

Hamilton REALLY surprised me this year in every way. Sure he had a few mistakes, but not nearly as many as most (including me) predicted. He just seems too polished to be a race driver, always has the correct PR response at any given moment. I think we all like to see the drivers "lose it" every so often to show they are human. Kimi may not speak much but he is not afraid to trash the car when he is pissed.

If Lewis can stay in a competitive car for most of his career I can see him racking up a few championships. However, as long as Kimi and Alonso are in the field he may have trouble, Button may soon be dicing it up as well.

[2slo2go]

It was an amazing first year for him, hands down. It was frustrating however though to see him so close to the win and not take it.

I'll be rooting for him again in 2008.

[8v_gti777]

I like Hamilton as a person, his personality is refreshing for the sport. But I will never be a fan and always root for him to lose- The reason is I have never, in 20+ years of following all kinds of sports, seen someone over-hyped this much. Anything he does is made into a god-like achievement, it makes me sick.

[jsmyle1%...]

Quote, originally posted by 8v_gti777 »

I like Hamilton as a person, his personality is refreshing for the sport. But I will never be a fan and always root for him to lose- The reason is I have never, in 20+ years of following all kinds of sports, seen someone over-hyped this much. Anything he does is made into a god-like achievement, it makes me sick.

Shouldn't you then hate the "HypER".........not the "HypEE"?

Boycott the BBC! Boycott David Hobbs! Boycott Steve Machett!

It's really quite amusing to read those comments about him being too "perfect" and that he smiles too much.

Not to compare............But........I'm sure these are the same people that hated when M. Schumacher jumped for joy and smiled like a Cheshire cat on the podium..........EVERY SINGLE TIME LIKE IT WAS HIS FIRST!!!!!

[8v_gti777]

Quote, originally posted by jsmyle1%@vw »

Shouldn't you then hate the "HypER".........not the "HypEE"? Boycott the BBC! Boycott David Hobbs! Boycott Steve Machett! It's really quite amusing to read those comments about him being too "perfect" and that he smiles too much. Not to compare............But........I'm sure these are the same people that hated when M. Schumacher jumped for joy and smiled like a Cheshire cat on the podium..........EVERY SINGLE TIME LIKE IT WAS HIS FIRST!!!!!

You know something- you have a point, I never thought about it that way. But I will still hope he finds the gravel.

[vdubjb]

http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/s...9.ece

This season is going to be worse than last..

[venom600]

Quote, originally posted by vdubjb »

http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/s...9.ece This season is going to be worse than last..

So, from what I understand, the FIA didn't really find anything wrong (or at least they won't say if they did or not), but they are going to have another hearing because they want to give other teams a chance to refute McLaren's claims? That is beyond messed up. So, what, they won't know if they can run their cars until less than a month before the start of the season? That doesn't even give Hamilton enough time to get a race seat somewhere else for next year. I don't even like McLaren and I hate Max Mosely on so many different levels because of crap like this.

[kfzmeister]

From what I've read out of the article is that they did find traces of Ferrari design in the new McLaren.
And it did state that the remaining team principles will be able to influence whether McLaren will be further punished for the coming season. McLaren was warned that this would be a possibility long ago.
How is this beyond messed up?
The only thing that I see a little out of context is the February 14th date for the hearing. That does seem to leave little time for anything before the season starts.

[venom600]

Quote, originally posted by kfzmeister »

From what I've read out of the article is that they did find traces of Ferrari design in the new McLaren. And it did state that the remaining team principles will be able to influence whether McLaren will be further punished for the coming season. McLaren was warned that this would be a possibility long ago. How is this beyond messed up? The only thing that I see a little out of context is the February 14th date for the hearing. That does seem to leave little time for anything before the season starts.

I read a few more articles, and you are right. Mosely won't come out and say it, but most articles point to them finding something. As such, that changes everything and I rescind my rant.

[SoCal_SFVR6]

I know the simulators are hightech as anything(hey its F1!) but I refuse to belive that actuall track experience is equalled by a sim

[silentnate0]

Either way the FIA could say they have found something, weather there was anything ferrari there at all... Look! they have wheels!

[venom600]

Quote, originally posted by SoCal_SFVR6 »

I know the simulators are hightech as anything(hey its F1!) but I refuse to belive that actuall track experience is equalled by a sim

It isn't. But given how realistic mass market games are now (Lewis said F1 on the PS3 is absurdly realistic), the simulators are that much more realistic and incorporate motion, etc. It is a fantastic way to learn a track.

[wiredvw]

And wings too!

Good point about LH being a lot like MS. However, I like to see at least some emotion in a driver even if it is not verbal. MS slapping Sato silly, Kimi trashing his McLaren when he knew it was ready to blow, etc. I guess more so about frustration than elation.

Either way he is a hell of a driver.

[wiredvw]

Quote, originally posted by silentnate0 »

Either way the FIA could say they have found something, weather there was anything ferrari there at all... Look! they have wheels!

And wings too!

Good point about LH being a lot like MS. However, I like to see at least some emotion in a driver even if it is not verbal. MS slapping Sato silly, Kimi trashing his McLaren when he knew it was ready to blow, etc. I guess more so about frustration than elation.

Either way he is a hell of a driver.

[vdubjb]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/ho...1.ece

[jsmyle1%...]

Now that all the contract & money stuff is out of the way.....

http://www.speedtv.com/article...42313/

F1: Hamilton, The $138 Million Dollar Man
Written by: Autocar staff
London, UK – 1/8/2008

Formula 1 sensation Lewis Hamilton has signed a new five-year contract, thought to be worth $138m, which will keep him in the McLaren hot seat until 2012.

The 23-year-old’s new deal secures him a serious rise in salary compared to the paltry $700k he was paid for his rookie season.

Not including personal sponsorship deals, Hamilton is set to bag roughly $27m a year between now and 2012. He has previously hinted that he would be prepared to stay with McLaren for his whole career.

And you can understand why he moved to Switzerland. Lewis would have been hit with a $55m income tax bill from the UK government, had he stayed in his home country.

[kfzmeister]

I'm assuming that is Euros? Anybody know what that works out to in Dollars?

Interesting how drivers pass each other on the wage ladder. Some are actually going down, while others like Hamilton are steadily climbing!

I read that Fisichella's salary went from $5 million last year to a measly $500 thousand this coming year with Force (?) India!


Modified by kfzmeister at 1:23 PM 1-8-2008

[jsmyle1%...]

Finally..........F1 is officially back.....and so is The Hamilton Report!

The end of the practice session sure looked like someone was simulating Q3.

to civility amongst us for '08!

to a safe and competitive season for your favorite teams and drivers.

[forewheel]

Quote, originally posted by dubsix »

seriously though he is living his dream out and then some... i sure as f#c( would be smiling my ass off too.

Word.

[Kidstar]

Quote, originally posted by jsmyle1%@vw »

Finally..........F1 is officially back.....and so is The Hamilton Report! The end of the practice session sure looked like someone was simulating Q3. to civility amongst us for '08! to a safe and competitive season for your favorite teams and drivers.

You say the funniest things!

Oh and my yute, dem stick mi back, fi mi Flaridah trip dwagie... They shipping my yardcore arse to Minnesota? YUCK!!!!!! WTF is there to do in bumboclamony Minnesota? Damn!

[kfzmeister]

Quote, originally posted by jsmyle1%@vw »

The end of the practice session sure looked like someone was simulating Q3.

I heard about that one (it's not televised) too!

Looks like the Iceman has laid down da word for the day with the fastest lap!

Gwon Yoot!

[Rdoppie]

Quote, originally posted by scarboroughdub »

agreed, seems as if hamilton has a pickle up his butt 24/7 and the smile on his face shows that he is enjoying it.

If I had a £70million pound contract to drive a very fast car, I would have a permanent smile emblazoned across my face as well.
Hell, I would be laughing my ass off

Quote, originally posted by scarboroughdub »

Im gonna have to say that stone cold kimi is my choice too.

Maybe Kimi doesn't realise how lucky he is

Who has th bigger contract, Kimi or Lewis?

Money is a very good reason to Smile

[Kidstar]

Quote, originally posted by kfzmeister »

Gwon Yoot!

I almost pissed on myself with laughter!!!

[SoCal_SFVR6]

Quote, originally posted by Rdoppie »

If I had a £70million pound contract to drive a very fast car, I would have a permanent smile emblazoned across my face as well. Hell, I would be laughing my ass off Maybe Kimi doesn't realise how lucky he is Who has th bigger contract, Kimi or Lewis? Money is a very good reason to Smile

Don't quote me on this, but I remember reading in Racer or something like that, that Kimi is #3 highest paid athlete in the world? Behind Tiger and Beckam? False? I could see it being true.

[Kidstar]

Quote, originally posted by SoCal_SFVR6 »

Don't quote me on this, but I remember reading in Racer or something like that, that Kimi is #3 highest paid athlete in the world? Behind Tiger and Beckam? False? I could see it being true.

As of 2007,.....so Hams bumped Kims by 30Mil...and The Driver, by a 34.... BTW both,...they have the GDP of several small countries! Hams, can buy Norman Manley International Airport, Air Grendada and still have like $40 mil in the bank!

#1 - Tiger Woods ($100 million)
Golf - Probably the most famous sportsman in the world for a number of years now, Tiger Woods heads our list of the top 10 highest paid athletes of 2007. Regularly winning majors and other opens aroud the globe, the golfer has made his earnings this year through competition prize money and lucrative sponsorship deals.

#2 - Oscar De La Hoya ($43 million)
Boxing - Oscar De La Hoya's title fight with Floyd Mayweather in May 2007 may have ended unsuccessfully in the ring, but financially it proved extremely successful with De La Hoya earning a record $43 million. More records were broken with highest gate receipts ($19 million), pay per view revenue ($120 million) and pay per view audience (2.2 million).

#3 - Phil Mickelson ($42 million)
Golf - After a shaky string of results in the early year (including blowing the 2006 US Open on the last hole), Phil Mickelson's season picked up with the win at the Player's Championship, earning him $1.6 million (the highest ever PGA tour purse). This along with endorsement deals from the likes of Ford and Exxon Mobil help to put Mickelson the 3rd highest paid athlete of 2007.

#4 - Kimi Raikkonen ($40 million)
Formula One - With the retirment of 7 time world chamion Michael Schumacher, Ferrari needed a proven, experienced driver to fill his boots. Kimi Raikkonen, with 5 years experience at the top with McLaren appeared to be the right choice; Ferrari have signed him on a 3 year contract that makes him the highest paid driver in Formula One.

#5 - Michael Schumacher ($36 million)
Formula One - The most successful driver ever in Formula one, with 7 championship titles, 91 race victories and 154 top-three finishes, Michael Schumacher is in the list of highest paid athletes at number 5. Over his career, he earned $650 million in salary and endorsements deals, and last year achieved arguably the pinnacle of his career providing the voice of a Ferrari in the Disney-Pixar movie Cars.