War Of Words

Over the past few weeks, Lewis Hamilton has faced an opponent the likes of which he has never encountered – the media.

Now, as regular readers would gauge, I’m not Hamilton’s biggest fan. It’s nothing to do with his outstanding racing craft, something I respect. It is more to do with the ITV literally plastering his face and his name over everything in their coverage, basically making the F1 race the ‘Lewis Hamilton Show – featuring a grand prix.’

It was always inevitable. Hamilton is the first Brit since Damon Hill with a realistic shot at winning the title. In terms of marketing, he ticks all the right boxes. He’s talented, good looking and well spoken. Last year it was a match made in heaven.

With James Allen shovelling the name down people’s throats even before he stepped into a race car in the back half of 2006, he justified the hype. Lewis stormed onto the scene with a fantastic debut season. Not since Villeneuve back in 1996 has a rookie made such an impact. Of course, it helps to have a winning car, but that is beside the point.

After his success of 2007, it was only a matter of time before the media got on his back when things went awry. While it is not his fault, Hamilton had a too perfect first year. His sophomore year has been more difficult and suddenly, the press are on his back. I think this is wrong.
People from every walk of life have their ups and downs. International sports people are no different. Sure, Lewis has had some bad races, some silly mistakes. But this is all part of the learning process of life. How is one to learn from mistakes if they are not made?

The British press see things differently. This is hardly a surprise. After building him up on his pedestal high into the clouds, they feel it is there right to chop him down. As I said, it was only a matter of time. You only have to look at the way they lynch the international football side and other sporting stars when things take a bad turn. In a time where solidarity and support is needed, they are nowhere to be found. The sad truth is, controversy sells papers.

That’s not to say that Hamilton is completely blameless in this. His confidence, or arrogance, depends which you view it is a double edged sword in the media. The way he has gone about dealing with the press is not helpful. But, he’s young. This is only his second year in the sport and under the microscope of the British press, who wouldn’t feel the heat. It’s attention like this that reinforces Hamilton’s decision to move to Switzerland in the off season.

This whole situation has been a year in the making. Lewis would do well to heed the advice of veteran David Coulthard, who warned him about spending too much time in public’s eye. As the new British hope, it will be hard for him, but surely not impossible.

Right now, what Lewis needs to do is to focus on what he does best - driving.