Lewis Hamilton is driven onto canvas

Some of you may have seen this on ITN. It's art - the cars do the painting - neat huh? The picture is, I understand, going to be hung near Tower Bridge during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Click here to check it out.

Comments

[A Parker]

I'm hoping to pop along to Piccadilly Circus tomorrow to see this guy in action and shall be looking out for the finished article near Tower Bridge. I must say, I don't think he has got the likeness very well in the face.

[Anon (the real one, again)]

Forgive me saying this, and i don't blame Lewis one ounce for it, but this si the kiond of publicity stunt which has Britain sway and while the rest of the world thinsk it's ridiculous... Lewis's problem si that many people think he has been gifted everything in life, so painting portraits of him won't come off well. Again, it's not Lewis's fault, but Reeboks. It won't help him with the other drivers either.

[Dean Rodrigues]

let's just hope he justifies it.

[Pau]

A Parker,

relax and enjoy the ride. On Sunday Lewis will be World Champion and on Tuesday Obama will be President of the United States. No point in being an angry black person any more.

[nuzzaci]

An obvious PR stunt and most probably exactly the sort of publicity the shoe label and their advertising agency had in mind. It's disgusting if you ask me. If I were you I wouldn't link this one unless your getting payed for it. The whole stunt is also another evidence that Hamilton will most probably follow the footsteps of his fellow Brit Beckham, and we just have to wait a year or two before people in London will see Lewis on red double deckers doing Gillette advertising. Sorry for being bitter on a Friday morning. But I just hate to see people selling their integrity so desperately for no apparently reason.

[Pinaster]

Parker, "I don't think he has got the likeness very well in the face." Naturally, that is so because the artist doesnt know every corner of Lewis blessed soul, as you do. I am sure that after you meet the artist and instruct him about Lewis amazing grace, his work will improve dramatically.

[Roger Carr]

A PARKER: You must understand such paintings need to be viewed from well back.
It looks brilliant from out here in the colony (Melbourne).

[Staid Davenport]

Its this kind of nonsensical hype and the Hamilton-obsessed drivel that ITV spout during their race build up that made it seem such a devastating fall when Hamilton failed to clinch the title last year. Why don't they save this for when he actually wins it?

Please people, give it a rest and let him get on with it.

[A Parker]

Well well, how come a Reebok advertising stunt has inspired such vitriol in some corners? Anon, why would this affect his relationship with the other drivers? He is a Reebok ambassador so this sort of advertising is normal. Some of the drivers hate him and are envious of him anyway, so I doubt this will make much difference. It’s their stupid problem, as Lewis is just cashing in on his brilliance.

Dean Rodrigues, I agree. People are already saying he’s champion which is bad luck as anything could happen next Sunday …

Pau, I’ll convey your “wisdom” to as many black people as I can. I’m sure they’ll agree with you …

Nuzzaci, I am waiting with great anticipation for a Lewis underpants shot on every bus hoarding in London. Don’t know if I can wait! Lewis is selling his integrity? So all the other drivers who pose for Tag Heuer and oil companies, etc, are they also selling their integrity or does that criticism just apply to Lewis, as per usual? God, it’s a bit of fun and advertising at the same time. Chill out!

Pinaster, good point – I’ll have a word in the artist’s shell-like today if possible!

[Michael Grinks]

Just a part of the modern sporting life I'm afraid. It is a business after all. And who can blame Hamilton for cashing in on his success?

Sometimes, though, it makes me think fondly of the days of Fangio, Hawthorne, Collins etc. It all seemed much simpler then.

All will be well come Monday when some real racing news starts to come in.

[Richard]

I think it's pretty ill advised to do this before the last GP. Why can't they wait until it's over when they may have something to celebrate.

However, I don't think LH should be singled out for criticism over cashing in on his fame. Drivers have been doing this for years.

In recent years we've seen Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton all appear on TV commercials. Jim Clark used to advertise on TV as did Jackie Stewart and James Hunt.

Here's Jackie telling us that we never want to get out of the driving seat - of a Ford Capri:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QkdOx2tKpz4

And here's James Hunt in a funny ad with Morecambe and Wise:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J6H7-izXzjk

And I'd hate to shatter anyone's illusions, but even Gilles Villeneuve sold out to commercialism:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=heZSTtcsxrc

[Nikki douthwaite]

Well this peice of work as far as i am concerned is no where near as good as mine. please view by following this link and please comment.

Huge long term mclaren fan

http://dotlewis.blogspot.com

[nikki douthwaite]

mine is better, and i am a mclarren fan and have been for many a year. stole my thunder a little here.
http://dotlewis.blogspot.com

[Pinaster]

¡Madre del Amor Hermoso! ("God bless me"!, to make it shorter) Aparker, are you for real? I´m starting to believe that Ed has you in the payrroll, just to keep the show going on!

[Anon (the real one, again)]

Comericals are one thing- but idealization of oneself through art?

A Parker- I refuse to talk to you anymore. If you don't want to "get it" to understand what Is ay so that you can just acknlowledge and disagree, that's you rproblem. I might as well debate my socks.

[IDR]

@NIKKI

Congratulations!

You're right, yours is much better.

Great work, thanks for sharing it with us.

[May]

Nikki, I am very impressed! You should consider sending it to McLaren once you have finished it so that they can hang it in their premises, I am sure that they would love it.

Best regards,

[A Parker]

Well, I went to Regent St to check it out. Unfortunately I went too late to see the face being painted so that part has been hung over the edge as the artist is working on Lewis' legs now. There were loads of people in there watching and taking pictures - passers by and people like me who went there purposely. The artist is covered from head to foot in paint and there are loads of wheels and remote controlled cars strewn around covered in paint. Also loads of photos of Lewis on the walls in his Reebok gear. Great atmosphere, took a few pics, and was glad I went. Will now go to Potters Fields near Tower Bridge to see the unveiling on Wednesday. From, Lewis' true fan, AP.

[Richard]

MICHAEL GRINKS - I'm sure you're right about life being simpler in the 1950s, but I do remember seeing some adverts with Mike Hawthorne endorsing various products from driving lamps to tyres to Dunlop disc brakes (I wasn't born until the mid 60s but my dad had loads of Motor Sport mags from that era, and I used to read them avidly when I was a kid).

Maybe Mike was ahead of his time?

[mangstadt]

Does the portrait talk?

If it doesn't talk then I must agree with those who say the artist didn't get the likeness.

This is the type of hype that may ruin Hamilton's career.

[Alfonso]

See this one

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=8B0E27Nf_pY

[Alex T]

Dear Ed

This is certainly an interesting piece of art. Since the You Tube portrayal is quite limiting; Is there an alternate site where it could be viewed? (BTW: Since I live in Canada, I must ask: what is INT?). It may have better if this portrait were publicized and hoisted after the Brazilian race either to celebrate his victory or to help allay disappointments.

Publicizing it in advance will help to heighten expectations and could create added pressures. We’re well aware that McLaren often snatches defeats from the jaws of victories. Hence, we should temper our enthusiasms but remain cautiously optimistic that Hamilton will be successful the 2nd time around.

Nikki. I surely concur with the emerging consensus that your portrait is significantly superior to the Reebok commissioned version. The Reebok commissioned portrait will eventually be hung in a Studio or Gallery. You probably should try to get the chosen entity to display yours too. This way, viewers could benefit from the contrasting perspectives. Again, nice touch