The tennis thread got me thinking...

[Batch]

Hamilton certainly was dominant, to finish above a team-mate who is the reigning champion in your first season is such a huge achievement, it can't be underestimated. The reason he started with a big team is because his pre F1 record was unmatched by anyone,

I'm not sure his early career (pre-F1) was unmatched by anyone, it was very very good though. Unless you mean early F1 career. But using your own argument he had arguably the best car which he didn't design or develop.

Anyway the reason he signed for a big team was because McLaren had paid for Hamilton to progress through the formula from the age of 13. They had a world champion signed up (Alonso) and took a chance on a rookie along side him. They knew he was good, but I doubt in their wildest dreams (or knighmares) did they think he'd be as competitive.

But to compare his achievements with Schumacher is laughable in the the extreme. He has the potential to be great. But Schumacher has already realised his greatness. Hamilton is but an embryo.

[chalkies_shorts]

Ed Moses. Pele. Bolt is a good shout. Ali sullied his reputation and was also taken down when he was at his peak.  

[Batch]

Back on topic.

Lance Armstrong dominated the tour for ages.

Its a difficult one. Every decade somebody dominates, Michael Johnson, Pete Sampras, Steve Davis, etc, etc. The general trend is improvement, quicker, stronger, better. Can you compare dominant stars of today from those of say the 70's. Probably not. Sports Science, technology, training methods, professionalism and drugs (I'm thinking of cycling) improves. Man is getting taller and stronger slowly I think.

[No Longer Posh Red]

Some people have said he's not the undisputed number one but they haven't given any realistic alternatives.

Probably because there is no UNDISPUTED number 1 at present, however I'd like to see Vettel in the best car.

Hamilton certainly was dominant, to finish above a team-mate who is the reigning champion in your first season is such a huge achievement, it can't be underestimated

They finished level on points, race wins & podiums, and if Alonso is believed Lewis was favoured all season by the team. May give some insight into why he was able to match his more illustrious team mate.

[Samdy Gray]

Can we not turn this into another thread full of bile about Hamilton vs. Schumacher again. If you want to do that go an ressurect that other thread. Thanks.

[Batch]

Can we not turn this into another thread full of bile about Hamilton vs. Schumacher again. If you want to do that go an ressurect that other thread. Thanks.

booooo

[No Longer Posh Red]

Lance Armstrong dominated the tour for ages.

Certainly dominated the Tour, but virtually ignored all Cycling's other big races to do it.

In fact wasn't last season his first time in the Giro?

[No Longer Posh Red]

Can we not turn this into another thread full of bile about Hamilton vs. Schumacher again. If you want to do that go an ressurect that other thread. Thanks.

If you think this is bad, just wait for the first time they shunt each other off the track next season .


FWIW, I hope Hamilton beats him anyway

[Ben Wah Balls]

I'm not sure his early career (pre-F1) was unmatched by anyone, it was very very good though. Unless you mean early F1 career. But using your own argument he had arguably the best car which he didn't design or develop.

Anyway the reason he signed for a big team was because McLaren had paid for Hamilton to progress through the formula from the age of 13. They had a world champion signed up (Alonso) and took a chance on a rookie along side him. They knew he was good, but I doubt in their wildest dreams (or knighmares) did they think he'd be as competitive.

But to compare his achievements with Schumacher is laughable in the the extreme. He has the potential to be great. But Schumacher has already realised his greatness. Hamilton is but an embryo.

I meant his career before Formula One. Who has a better record pre-F1 then? I'm not sure anyone does. He was in Mclaren's development program but the F1 drive was only an option, if he'd not done so well in F3 and GP2 they wouldn't have signed him. Obviously it's not at all laughable to compare his achievements to Schumacher, that's just silly, he's already been great and will be greater.

[Batch]

Last word in this thread Samdy, promise.

1 WDC , 14 people have more world drivers championships that Hamilton. He's not dominated anything, which is the point of this thread.

[Ben Wah Balls]

Not in their first three seasons. Not dominated anything other than any form of motorsport he's entered in the last 10 years.

[Arriba]

the only way to see who is best is to put drivers in identical cars.

[jonny72]

Schumacher will never rank with the true sporting greats for me. He was a cheat, would bend every rule he could to breaking point, relied upon being given preferential treatment over his team mates, would happily put lives at risk through his dangerous driving and basically did anything he could to win no matter what the costs or the method.

True sporting greats don't have to resort to any of the stuff that Schumacher did every day of his career. If he carries on next season from where he left off he'll most likely kill someone as he is well past his best but still thinks he is the best - a dangerous combination in an F1 car.

Plus he's a cunt. And German. And a cunt.

[leefer]

Well ferrari etc have had two cars racing in races for years,,,in theory they should both be the same standard....but in F1 its all about the help you get offtrack....pitstops etc that determine whos best....not driving capabilities.

[Ben Wah Balls]

I agree that it would be fairer if they had identical cars but don't think it would ever happen. Totally agree with Jonny72, all true.