With Lewis's fans at Goodwood - year two

Another year, another appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for Lewis where the crowd were eager to see him and celebrate again his win at Silverstone. On both this visit and last year's, Lewis came to the Festival on an "upswing". Last year it was on the back of consecutive wins at Montreal and Indy, this time it was Silverstone and that sort of background certainly makes these types of things much easier and more fun for him.

Twelve months ago we used to talk about the "Hamilton effect", a term used to describe the huge impact Lewis was having in his first season in Formula One on the British collective psyche both in and out of sport. This visit to Goodwood reminded me that, even though Lewis is now an established force, that effect is still very much in evidence. He has given a big boost to British motorsport and I think it would be fair to say that he remains hugely popular in Britain where his fans fervently believe he will be champion soon and not just once either.

Standing in the sunshine waiting for him to appear with Lord March on the balcony of Goodwood House, I could have asked anyone and got roughly the same positive answers. They love Lewis and have taken him to their hearts. Here, for example, are the thoughts of Jeff Hudson, a gentleman in his 40s from Fareham in Hampshire.

"He's a little bit more inconsistent this season but he's a young lad and he's going to be going forward all the time. He is going to be, more than likely, the best British driver ever and he will rival Schumacher. He's got a lot of guts - he doesn't care, he just goes for it - and he'll win whatever the conditions. He was brilliant today. He said the right thing - his parents have been behind him and that's the most important thing - we are behind our kids exactly the same."

And here are the thoughts of Sarah Annison, a 37-year-old woman who was running a stall with her boyfriend at the festival..

"He is fantastically down to earth - just a really nice guy - I watch every Grand Prix with him in it, that's why we are here today. He will be world champion this year. He is definitely going to pull it back; it will be an absolutely fantastic year. Everyone I was standing with were taking pictures and they were really, really, buying into what he was saying and I think he is just very, very good with crowd spirit so he definitely gets everybody on his side. It's nice that he's taken time out of his life to come down here."

Wandering through the trees I came across the imposing figure of Nick Faldo, the six-time golfing major winner who s also a big Hamilton fan who reckons the young McLaren Mercedes driver has got all the right clubs in his bag. "I have been following his career - I called it," said Faldo. "I mean the guy is absolutely so good. I knew he was going to come out and be a winner like last year. I thought it was no surprise that he did so well. He's got something special in his mental approach, he's comfortable with it all. The more comfortable you are, the more easily you can deal with things and it looked like, straight away, he was going to come out and be a winner. We know what motor racing's like - anything can happen to a driver or a constructor - but, inside, he knows he's got it and he's got inner patience as well. He knows that one day he is going to make it."

So there you have it, the view of the fans on a beautiful morning in West Sussex. And, to finish, a word from Lewis himself talking to ITV's Steve Ryder at the top of the hill about that win at Silverstone. "I think Silverstone showed that anything can happen and you can achieve anything when you put your mind to it, even with all the tough things going on around outside. You just home in and focus on what you really want. If you have the desire then anything is possible and I showed that weekend that, even though I was fourth and things weren't looking great and great things weren't being said about me, I was able to pull out a good race and do a good job."

Finally, Lewis was asked what car he would love to drive up the hill at Goodwood, if he could just come on his own and have a go. He said it would have to be a Formula One car and he would choose the McLaren MP4-8, Senna's car from 1993(with the squashed hedgehog stickers on the side for every race in which the McLaren beat the Williams cars). Senna managed five wins in that machine including, of course, that epic drive in the rain at Donington(the home of the British Grand Prix from 2010!).

Comments

[F1-Insider]

You summed it well Ed, Hamilton is just a nice guy with bucket loads of talent.
We all support different drivers or teams but all true F1 fans know the greats when they see them and Hamilton is on the right path, he just needs to remember his roots and stay grounded.
He will, if not already, be the most global F1 figure of all time where he'll transcend the world of F1 in a way not seen before.
Expect Beckham and Lewis in the next Pepsi ad or how about Woods and Hamilton fronting something or other as they are unquestionable the two most famous current coloured sports people, many many doors will be opened because of these two.
Please remember the good when he's having a bad time and don't loose faith and he WILL deliver.

[F1-Insider]

Donnington 93, one of the best F1 drives of all time with Senna's first lap being the best I have ever seen (since the early 60's without a shadow of a doubt).
Other than the epic first lap of Senna's in 93 Hamilton's drive was its equal and anyone who saw the race as a whole will never forget it, like Senna in 93, Hamilton was in a class of his own.

[IDR]

"(The home of the British Grand Prix from 1010!)"

Well Ed, all we know England has a long tradition in F1, but I think King Arthur did not sponsored that kind of sports. Maybe Merlin, could has known something about this, who knows.

Round table, knights, Merlin, Morgana... I'm starting to made compairsons with the current F1 enviroment, umm...

[jordi]

Just a question, why is Hamilton such a "Nice guy"?

It wasn't very nice to call his colleagues "Monkeys". it wasn't very nice when he wanted his teammate out of the team. It wasn't very nice when he complained to FIA against his own Team...

But hey! What do I know?

I'm only an "armchair fan" with a Vodafone mobile phone, an account with Santander, I wear Reebok footwear and drink Johnnie walker whilst dreaming of buying a Mercedes.

But at least I pay my taxes in England!

[Felipe]

Hi Ed, hope you had some lovely time off. Good to see the fans supporting their driver.

[A Parker]

Great article Ed. It really sums up the spirit of the events where Lewis appears. It was the same at Brooklands - everyone loved him from grown men, young women to little children. And he was so good with everyone and took so much time to sign autographs and have a little chat to the crowd. He has a spirit within him that really shines through and is so special. To see him live is amazing. Thanks again for the article which I find very heart warming. It makes such a change from the negativity you see in so many forums and blogs. Let's hope he is champion this year - but if he isn't, we all know he would have put all his talent and determination into the season anyway.

[Jordi]

...everyone loved him from grown men, young women to little children. And he was so good with everyone and took so much time to sign autographs and have a little chat to the crowd. He has a spirit within him that really shines through and is so special...

Are you sure you didn't see God?

[A Parker]

Actually Jordi, pretty close!

[McCheets]

Unfortunately Goodwood really has become a victim of its own success. I went on Friday and still struggled to get near anywhere, with the notable exception of the Honda 'garage'. Jenson really has been deserted by those who not so long ago hailed him England's next great hope. In some respects he is the David Beckham of F1 - hyped up, but swept aside by virtual unknowns. In Beckham's case it was Wilkinson and Flintoff, for Button it is Lewis.

Hamilton is a great driver, and will win a championship (or several) sooner of later. However, his behaviour after taking Raikkonen out in Montreal raises serious questions about his sportsmanship. Alas it would appear that some people who contribute to this forum consider such behaviour to be wholly acceptable!

[Anon]

Nice to see some happy stuff. I've just been watching a freidnly soccer match for charity (Edu plays Cation!) Schumi scored a goal!

Hopefully this good feeling will help Lewis. Maybe all the wills of the masses will make him focus more and not throw the championship. I think he is title favorite this ear: as long as he doesn't slip up!

[GFehr]

I think many people, certainly in the English-speaking world, crave this sort of feeling right now -- the notion that there are "good" people who can still accomplish "good" things, despite the earnest efforts of the fearful and twisted and simply inferior to bend the world to their lunacy.

You have Lewis Hamilton in your country, and Barack Obama in mine. Interestingly, they are both black -- or rather, "half-black" to be exact -- in traditionally "white" societies. And whether or not you are their "fans" you cannot help but objectively admit that their rise, due to ability as well as to glibness, is not only amazing but uplifting.

Good is not altogether forgotten. It can still prevail or a belief in it can prevail. So let's "hope" (if you will excuse the trite Obamanism) that he wins the bloody championship, or at the very least ends up having proved his bloody best to the end.

[CHIUNDA]

MCCHEETS

If its okay for Alonso to have his way with the back of Nicks BMW at Monaco and Kimi to have the pleasure of Sutils Force India's rear wing at the same piste then yes, for me it would appear lots of people are accepting to Lewis on Kimi behavior in Montreal. Really if the drivers were faceless and nameless you wouldn't be able to determine what is sportsmanly and what is not from those three incidents.

ED

As IDR pointed out i am sure you meant 2010 and not 1010.

[David Jones]

I think Lewis is a brilliant driver, driving for a brilliant team. I am certain if it had not been for the dreadful actions of his team-mate last year he would have been world champion with probably two Monaco wins to his name as well.
If McLean give him a winning car he will win, he is that good and best of all he is English/British.

[IDR]

@CHIUNDA

I'm also sure Ed meant 2010, I was only trying to make a Joke, but it seems didn't work very well.

Next time... maybe.

[Tunde Uche]

It's great for all sports stars to be humble, but let's keep it real I didn't purchase a flat screen to see him pander to the crowd - I'm backing a winner period! Black, white, Orange don't care as long as he keeps pulling overtaking moves like the start at silverstone - Glorious.
Whilst on the subject of glorious Alonso is the man, can he stop wasting time and get in the ferrari - Hello!
Ed keep up the good work, would like a closer look at Alonso soon, there is something at work over there - that renault just keeps getting better!

[Ed Gorman]

Sorry everyone. I meant 2010. It was a typo not a stab at humour.

[Felipe]

David Jones, just to point out that most drivers would probably win in a winning car... and McLaren is definitely winnning car. There are two winning cars on the grid right now, or four, depends on how you look at it...

I think I know what you mean, but it didn't probably come out properly...

[supercampeaobrasileiro]

i am bored with all the ham stuff now...if this happens every time he wins a race then it will be a long season!

[McCheets]

CHIUNDA

Which of the three drivers felt the need to assault a camera? The other incidents which you refer to occurred on a wet race track, not at the exit of the (speed-restricted) pit lane.

Perhaps you should read Raikkonen's comments after being eliminated by Hamilton in Montreal to gain a better understanding of his perspective on the Sutil incident.

[Juan]

As a Alonso fan I strongly wish Hamilton winning this season. Its the only way to see the desire change in Ferrari for year 2009.

Go Lewis, go!

[Boy George]

Great post Ed.
Many people try to hate on Hamilton but you can't hate on skills. He has had a great year.

[Pinaster]

Nice fellow? Well he maybe is. I suppose he doesnt hit grannies, doesnt steal the pocket money from the kids, doesnt kick the dog... I dont know him, so I´ll trust Eds word. So what? I´m a nice fellow too, and Ed doesnt publish issues about how wonderful I am. But I suppose I´m not as nice as Lewis, otherwise I wouldnt have to work so hard to earn 1.500 € per mounth.
F1insider, is it only my scarce knowledge about English language that doesnt allow me to understand your irony, or is it just your fanaticism what doesnt allow you to think straight?
"He will, if not already, be the most global F1 figure of all time where he'll transcend the world of F1 in a way not seen before." Considering he hasnt won anything yet in F1, it will be terribly sad if your statement becomes true. I understand that making heroes and gods out from nothing, is a common practice in the media. But as an intelligent person, I thing you should try not to be so disrispectful with: Schumaker, Fangio, Prost, Senna, Lauda, Piquet, Stewart, Alonso, Hill, Hakkinen... and many many more. LH still has a very long way to walk to be considered himself the last member of the "top 20" club.
Javier VivaEspañas comments become a model of equanimity, prudence, wisdom and sanity compared to yours.
Cheers.

[Robert Caldecott]

McClaren have underachieved in recent years and it was a mistake to let Alonso go. If they had kept him and treated him well they would have had a world champion in 2007 and 2008. Then there would have been time for Hamilton to learn and he could have taken over as No 1 in 2009. Mercedes must be fed up.

[A. Livesey]

"David Jones, just to point out that most drivers would probably win in a winning car... and McLaren is definitely winnning car. There are two winning cars on the grid right now, or four, depends on how you look at it...

I think I know what you mean, but it didn't probably come out properly..."

Posted by: Felipe | 15 Jul 2008 16:18:40

Questions to Felipe;

1) How many races has Kovalainen won in the 'winning' McLaren?

2) If your answer to the above is 'None', could you elaborate as to why this is so?

I seem to remember that last year BOTH McLaren drivers were winning, this year only one...

[Felipe]

Kovalainen is just not very good, so far, he could actually be most disappointing driver of the year. The statement 'most drivers' obviously doesn't include Kovalainen in this case. Or is this year McLaren not a winning car, but just a winning driver?

[F1-Insider]

Pinaster
Maybe you don't understand how marketing works. The fact that Lewis is a) coloured, b) a decent bloke, c) unbelievably talented, d) had a first season like no other where he beat the reigning champion in the same car, e) his history on how he came to F1 and ss on all make him the marketeers dream, it doesn't matter if he has won anything and that's why he will/has transcended the world of F1 like no other F1 driver to date.
A few years ago there was a beautiful woman tennis player who was good but not as good as the less attractive ones and she has and is making more money than those still playing tennis.
Forget for moment whether Hamilton is a good driver, a great driver or whatever, a few people in sport just go beyond it, would anyone say Beckham was the best football player in the world? No, there were several players better than him, several of his Real Madrid team for starters but who is the most famous, the richest and the one mixing it with the stars from all walks of life?
It may be a little sad but it's just how it works and Hamilton's roots make him extra special before he even gets in his car so for all those that don't like him, for whatever reason, just get over it because he's here to stay.

Robert Caldecott
You are wrong, know team can have a driver in their team that behaved like Hamilton's team mate last year. No driver is bigger than the team they drive for and last year a certain Spanish though he was

[McLaren most sporting team in F1]

McLaren, best and most sporting team in F1. Lewis Hamilton, best and most sporting driver in F1.
Days like this it's great to be British.

Where are you all when Hamilton fails like in Canada and France? You are quick to come out when he does well, which is ok., but many of you are too silent when he spoils it all. Some good words in those difficult moments would be nice.

[Pinaster]

F1insider, as I said, one thing is the media business, and other very different what an intelligent individual should accept. If you rather to align yourself among those who feel happy with the media predigested rubbish, well its up to you, but dont expect me to buy that stuff. Yes, I suppose youre right, he as transcended the F1... not because his talent (despite he has lots of it). So in future we should talk about LH in other blog like "Spice Girls, Randy Boys, and other juicy gossips"?
And about the "facts", well, please remember that the Universe doesnt spin around UK: Beck wasnt (past, he is past) that famous as you believe, his fame was quite ephemeral, and certainly he will never be remembered as one of the all time soccer best players. You cope with that. Im not very fond of LH, so if that "becks way" is the highest that the fellow can reach, thats fine for me. He will be remembered for some years as an media star, not as a one of the best F1 drivers. But I think Lewis fans should aspire to something much better.
Thanks and cheers.

[McCheets]

F1-INSIDER

in your message directed to Pinaster you wrote, "Maybe you don't understand how marketing works."

This is yet another pompous, self-aggrandising, compeletly baseless extrapolation from you regarding a fellow forum member.

Nevertheless, you must be commended for not including a self-righteous element this time! Hopefully in due course the other characteristics will disapper from your correspondence.

[McCheets]

PINASTER

Given the content of some of F1-INSIDER's messages, one could be forgiven for concluding that the universe spins around F1-INSIDER's cranium!

[McLaren most sporting team in F1]

Stop Press
Just had a vision of the future: Lewis Hamilton wins German Grand Prix 2008, both Ferrari's fail to Finnish after Alonso clips both of them in a reckless move who was black flagged.
The Mercedes stand erupts with joy as McLaren get a one, two at Mercedes home Grand Prix.
Brilliant.

[Felipe]

Lewis winning, yes, Kova third... a bit far fetched McLaren most dubious team....

[McLaren most sporting team in F1]

Most daring driver, Lewis Hamilton.
Most innovative team, McLaren.
Most straight talking boss, Ron Dennis.
Most Reliable engine, Mercedes.
Most exciting driver, Lewis Hamilton.
Best rain driver. Lewis Hamilton.
Most loyal boss, Ron Dennis.
Long may they reign.

[McCheets]

MCLAREN MOST SPORTING TEAM IN F1

It is great to see that there are people on this forum with such a great sense of humour! Most McLaren fans seem to be as grey as the team that they support.

Keep it up!

I am sure that there are a few more catergory titles that McLaren would clinch as well, such as least corporate team in F1.

p.s. congratulations on sorting out the spelling of McLaren!

[dmotomd]

I stumbled on this blog and was touched by Hamilton saying he would like to drive the MP4-8. I was wondering if I would ever really care about F1 since Senna died, and now we have Lewis. He seems to have fewer flaws then Senna, but he reminds me so much of Senna. Schumacher was shrewd and I will grudgingly admit, a great driver, but I couldn't stand him and I was also put off by the boring driving of Prost. Good on you, Lewis. I'm also a Yank and am surprised that you have as many haters as we have here in the United States of Ignorance. I'm talking about people trashing Tiger Woods (amazing, what has he ever done that was so bad?) and even the great Federer. I suppose jealousy is a universal constant. Go Hamilton!