Why Lewis Hamilton Is Pushing Fans Away

"Road Magazine" (roadmag)
05/26/2014 at 14:55 • Filed to: Lewis Hamilton, Formula One, Formula 1

Great Britain is historically a nation that produces exceptional Formula 1 drivers. It's also a nation that fervently supports its drivers, especially if that driver has a chance at winning the World Championship. I grew up in that time where us Brits all got behind Damon Hill and cheered him to the 1996 title. Now in 2014, the majority of the nation is rooting for Lewis Hamilton to win his second Formula 1 World Championship, but it isn't the same as before.

Lewis Hamilton is pushing a very large amount of British fans away because unlike other British drivers that have gone before him, he is very hard to like as a human being. Numerous incidents have been pushing fans away from him for a few years now, such as when he publicly got upset with ex-teammate Jenson Button for 'un-following' him on twitter, even though he'd never followed him in the first place. He also leaked !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! telemetry after being upset with his performance and the decision of his team to not run a new rear wing. The time when he threw the race card at the Monaco stewards, be it lighthearted or not, was just plain ridiculous.

There is also a feeling amongst many !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! fans that Lewis Hamilton is perhaps not fulfilling the immense potential he first showed upon debut. He won only one World Championship whilst driving with McLaren, who had a title-contending car for practically the whole time he drove for them, and even the title was won with a large slice of luck at the final race in Brazil.

Many fans believe he should have achieved much more than he did whilst driving for them. Fingers have been pointed to off-track distractions, his often rocky relationship with singer Nicole Scherzinger, a deepening involvement in show business, and even rumours of issues with family members. Worse than all of this though, is his attitude.

We Brits like polite, modest drivers who keep their head down and keep going; keeping calm and carrying on, if you wish. Lewis Hamilton has absolutely failed to do this for the entirety of his career, and now public opinion on him is definitely waning. This weekend at the Monaco GP, he constantly complained and whined about various issues, despite having won several races on the bounce. The slightest of problems can upset him to the point where he accuses his own team of conspiring against him, as seen when Mercedes didn't call him into the pits when Adrian Sutil crashed.

As Toto Wolff later explained, the lead car has priority, and Hamilton will have been well aware of the team rules. The stewards also cleared his teammate of any wrong doing in qualifying and that should have been the end of it, yet he immaturely ignored him on the podium, thus showing how he fails to get over such problems. He also became the only driver in history to get something in his eye from inside a sealed crash helmet, something which we struggled to hear the end of.

I'd really like to say I support my fellow Brit in chasing the World title, yet Lewis Hamilton has been so difficult to like as a person over the last few years that it's impossible for me. I'm tired of all the complaining and whining, and I'm tired of hearing about other things in his life. I don't care about his dog, his girlfriend, or his media obligations. I care about his attitude, his manners, and his determination to win the World Drivers Championship. Right now, I'm seeing a lot of immaturity and that is certainly not winning over the British public. It's pushing them away.

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DISCUSSION (58)

Soloburrito > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:09

Fortunately US media doesn't report on the driver's personal lives.

I think he has a point on the way Mercedes has managed the races. Why did they put him on a conservative map with Nico chasing? His stops were about a second slower in Spain both times. Nico's Monaco accidemt had everyone questioning whther it was deliberate.

I think he can be a dick at times, sure. Saying things like dominating his team mate and he and Nico not being friends makes him look like an asshole.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:11

I'm glad I'm not the only one that's started to feel this way. He was going to be my new favorite driver when he started out...but after his rookie season I've struggled to like him. He seemed like such a great guy in the beginning, but seemingly never fails to act like a child when the opportunity presents itself. Now that Weber is gone, I don't really even know who to root for anymore. I love JB although I don't really care for his team...do I dare slip back into being a Tifosi? Since Michael left I haven't really wanted to be a part of that crowd, despite loving their road cars.

Diesel > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:15

No mention of him complaining about Nico being born and raised in Monaco when he lives there now.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:15

Spoilt baby doesn't get his way, so spoilt baby throws his toys out of the cot. Sounds about right for Hamilton.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
05/26/2014 at 15:17

His mindset and attitude really lets him down, and slowly but surely the British motoring crowd are starting to turn on him. He needs to cut it out quickly if he wants to maintain a large fan base.

I've gone back to Williams this year, they're who I root for now!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Diesel
05/26/2014 at 15:18

If I had to write an article about everything he's done we'd never get time to talk about it!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
05/26/2014 at 15:19

Which is very anti-British. We tend to knuckle down and get on with things if events are conspiring against us. He's not going down well with the public here, little by little the fans are being turned away.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
05/26/2014 at 15:21

These days I think the most likable drivers (based on personality) are Button, Riccardo, and maybe Raikkonen.

Squid > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:21

I liked Hamilton for a while and tolerated him for a bit. But Monaco has made me despise him. He is saying he deserves the title more than his team mate because he had it rough growing up. Give me a break, Hamilton now lives in Monaco, according to the US announcers, and he has a one off purple Zonda. To hell with him and the shit he's pulling. It feels as is Hamilton is acting like a successful Danica Patrick. . .

Diesel > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
05/26/2014 at 15:22

Fair enough. I personally enjoy McMike's photoshops of him.

Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V) > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:23

One word: exposure.

Only if we could have heard the team communication back in the day between e.g. Senna and McLaren, many people - I'm sure - would have slightly different opinions about him.

I mean, think of the race with all the radio-stuff taken out, what would you make of this race? Hamilton grumbling pre-race, being behind Rosberg, playing cheated wife post-race, end of story.

Also, the interviews. Reporters are ever pushing to get the most of the drivers, and due to press pressure they keep overstepping the mark on occasions, eagerly waiting for the rant they wished for.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Squid
05/26/2014 at 15:23

He's also never had it rough at any point in F1. Guided through youth ranks by McLaren, then straight into a top car. Was lucky to win a World Championship, then failed to deliver in other seasons.

Now has the best car on the grid by miles, and still isn't happy. A lot of growing up to do for LH.

t_s > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:24

"Why Lewis Hamilton is pushing fans away."

Because he is a petulant, egotistical, arrogant penis.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Diesel
05/26/2014 at 15:24

I've not come across those... Link me up!

Diesel > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
05/26/2014 at 15:25

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tag/fiveminute…

Look through these.

Bandit > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
05/26/2014 at 15:25

I root for Williams now. I like Bottas for some reason. Grosjean seems like a good guy, but the Lotus cars suck this year.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
05/26/2014 at 15:26

I'm with you on that. Marussia got a big PR boost with their points this weekend too. I'll be rooting for them now too, Bianchi seems like a nice lad.

Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V) > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:27

Also, I wonder if Alsonso texted him something like "LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!" at some point on Sunday evening or so.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
05/26/2014 at 15:27

I think a good ass kicking would set him straight. If there is anything that will humble a man and put things in perspective, it's getting your ass handed to you.

Diesel > Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V)
05/26/2014 at 15:30

Well, Vettel got shit for sounding insincere during his victories last year. It's the way of the current times, I don't feel sorry for his public image looking so poorly. He's more Prost than Senna. Whines about issues and always finds something else to blame.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Gabor Vajda (@Gabor_V)
05/26/2014 at 15:33

Nobody liked Senna in the UK. Everybody rooted for Prost here, at least, that's what I'm told. (I was in nappies!)

What would I have made of it? I'd still have thought he acted like a rude child on the podium, still have thought he should accept the stewards decision, and still have thought he didn't really look like overtaking Nico at any real point in the race.

I don't think reporters overstep the mark, and they have every right to push against the PR-regulated teams, otherwise we don't get anything other than the Disney-answers. Hamilton is good for discussion purposes (as this article shows!), I just don't think he has any manners, and I doubt he has the mindset of a champion.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Diesel
05/26/2014 at 15:34

Can't seem to get that link to work... is it just my browser being crap?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
05/26/2014 at 15:36

Absolutely, it's what many of us teenage males learnt growing up!

Diesel > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
05/26/2014 at 15:37

That seems to happen. Here, try this .

If that doesn't work, search for five minute photoshop in the search bar, go to McMike's photo dump, and click on fiveminutephotoshop tag and it will bring you to where the link should lead.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Bandit
05/26/2014 at 15:52

Yeah they do...shame really. Bottas seems like he's genuinely got some talent, and balls. I like the kid, I can definitely get behind him too. I've mostly taken the attitude that I just want to see what happens this year.

George Costanza > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
05/26/2014 at 15:52

I am in the exact same place as you liked him in the beginning but don't care for his personal life. So, I gravitated to Webber who is probably the most personably and not over the top of many and now he is gone. Kinda lean towards Button but not really.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > George Costanza
05/26/2014 at 15:55

I always liked JB because he was such a nice guy and literally the opposite of an asshole. Also he's pretty talented I think, just always had bad luck with cars. Kimi is definitely one of my favorites, his attitude is priceless. I wish Michael was able to race so I could just root for him all the time. Feels weird not to have a preference for once.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
05/26/2014 at 15:56

I could definitely agree with that list.

George Costanza > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 15:57

To bad Mark Webber is gone, he seemed like he was just in it for the race not the after parties.

JR1 > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 16:40

"We Brits like polite, modest drivers who keep their head down and keep going; keeping calm and carrying on, if you wish. "

Trust me it's not just you guys. I originally liked Lewis when I started watch F1 a few years ago. But as time went on I realized in his eyes nothing is ever his fault. I find myself rooting for Rosberg more and more.

McMike > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 17:18

I suppose this would be a good enough thread to share dathairline?

I don't blame anyone for un-following him on twitter or instagram. He posts and runs. never replies, leaving behind hundreds of Beiber-fan type "I love you!!" type replies.

The VIP lifestyle the kid is trying too hard to share is getting a little annoying for me. It could also be the #boss #badassmotha hashtags, too.

I only follow him for fiveminutephotoshop material. What he posts is pretty much worthless otherwise. I don't blame Jensen at all.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > JR1
05/26/2014 at 17:43

Glad to know the rest of the world admires certain traits in a driver too!

The Compromiser > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
05/26/2014 at 19:00

I like Kimi. He knows what he is doing. And likes ice cream. Nowleavemealone.

f86sabre > Bandit
05/26/2014 at 20:24

two of my favorite as well. I think Grosjean has talent and just needs a car.

CarBastard > Road Magazine
05/26/2014 at 23:56

Sums it up quite nicely, I agree with everything you said.

My role model and semi-deity is Juan Manuel Fangio, he's, to me, the epitome of what a racecar driving man should be, the winning-est, awesome-est gentleman racer. Hamilton is the entire opposite. Mind you, it's not only me. I was watching the Monaco GP quali with my girlfriend, rooting for Rosberg because I prefer him over Lewis and like his polite cutesy ways, and when she asked me why I disliked Lewis I told her "Just wait until they take their helmets off and look at their attitude, their hats, their expressions", and immediately afterwards she understood: "Eww...he looks like Justin Bieber turned race driver!".

My favourites from current F1 are Rosberg, Ricciardo, Vettel from time to time, Bottas, Perez, Gutierrez and KAMUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUI!!!!

chezcliff > Road Magazine
05/27/2014 at 01:07

I judge my favorites by who I'd like to sit down over dinner with. I could see dining with Kimi, or Bottas, or Riccardo.

Torque Affair > Road Magazine
05/28/2014 at 20:34

Is Nico Rosberg a better driver?

RelentlessSlacker > Road Magazine
06/02/2014 at 14:31

I think that's pretty unfair, but have to admit that I really relate to Hamilton...we're the same age and there's been a lot of parallels between when we've each had rockier periods in our lives/careers and when we've had better periods. It's just coincidence, but often when he's frustrated with something in his life, I'm frustrated with something in mine, and when he's good with his life, I'm good with mine, and I can understand his headspace and how he acts on both ends of the spectrum. I also relate to him because he's someone who uses his words as a place to arrange his thoughts and process things, and it works well for him. He's emotionally engaged and isn't ashamed of showing how he feels outwardly, and I think it's totally human that he can be down one day, say something that he perhaps shouldn't've, and then apologize for it a little later when he has taken the time to reflect on it more calmly. It's very human. He's not a robot.

I think it's hypocritical to be mad at Hamilton for being who he is. So many race fans want drivers to be more individualistic, more well-defined, more themselves as opposed to some dull blank slate for their bosses and sponsors...but then you get Hamilton who actually is that sort of driver and people get mad at him about it! Make up your damned minds.

FASTER345 > Road Magazine
06/02/2014 at 15:43

I think of Hamilton as the Justin Bieber of F1.

dansus > RelentlessSlacker
06/04/2014 at 20:51

One the whole, it feels like hes trying to be someone hes not.

I liked Lewis when he was in GP2 and into F1, he was being himself, then he tried to be all 'cool' an stuff. Didnt work, got boring fast.

RelentlessSlacker > dansus
06/05/2014 at 11:37

I think all he's ever done is try to be happy with himself, the people around him, and his career. Is that trying to be someone he's not or trying to be more of the person he already is?

pmendoza502 > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
08/05/2014 at 17:04

ive always rooted for rai, button, rossberg, masa and webber since they come on the scene. rooted against vettel ever since he took out webber at istambul a few years back, alonzo, well since forever, hamilton since i saw the pussycat doll singer in his paddock... lolz, yea im a lil jealous, so what?! SHES MINE!
this year it seems like there are more drivers that are likeable, such as hulkenburg, kobiyashi, grosjean, (who i liked before despite his accident proness) bottas, magnusen and chilton. although i still dont like maldinado or sutil, but the rest of the field seem ok...

pmendoza502 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
08/05/2014 at 17:09

i wanna see ham, vet, and alo have to do something totally ridicules like race wheel chairs down a hallway where there is only room to fit 1.5 wheelchairs wide... i guarantee they wreck themselves...

pmendoza502 > Squid
08/05/2014 at 17:17

haha hes one to talk about having it rough growing up, he was freaking affluent enough to be karting as a child... REAL POOR PEOPLE CANT DO THAT... lolz

pmendoza502 > Soloburrito
08/05/2014 at 17:22

conservative map, because he burned a lot of fuel early in the race pushing an already large lead even further... his stops look like a nascar driver pulling into the pits compared to even some indy car stops. watch the back marker guys and mid marker guys and how they not only pull into their box, but how fast they come to a stop, and how consistently they hit the same dime sized mark. i mean, they are only ever off a few millimeters from their last stop, where ham looks to be an inch or two off the mark of his last stop... hes kinda sloppy compared to the rest of F1...

pmendoza502 > Torque Affair
08/05/2014 at 17:25

id have to say that after being team mates with the F1 equivelant of michael jordan, id say its made him a better driver than when he was first a part of that team, and better if not at least equal to vettel, alonzo and hamilton...

pmendoza502 > RelentlessSlacker
08/05/2014 at 17:40

his problem is in placing blame, rather than admitting that he made mistakes, and publicly calling out your own people, your own team...
this is some of the most bitch like shit anyone can do. If he had a problem with his team, he needed to address it privately and not air out the dirty laundry... its not the kind of drama we want to see in F1,

we want to see a driver in a heated bitter rivalry with another driver from another team. a'la Vettel vs Alonzo and thats cause they are equally just as spoiled as each other on the track. we want to see guys like Ricciardo, Rossburg, and Bottas going at it... not that Massa Alonzo crap back at ferrari before or the BS that was Vettel Webber...

Rage of ManBearPig > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
08/05/2014 at 17:44

Raikkonen? I think he is awesome don't get me wrong, but likable? have you seen any interviews? downright hilarious

pmendoza502 > RelentlessSlacker
08/05/2014 at 17:48

you should follow ham on social media, the word "ham" sums it up if you ask me, seems like hes trying to be this global mega star icon thing... i can imagine that the Topgear guys would call im a "footballer" in an F1 car. It wouldnt be far from the truth too, he is trying to be more hollywood, than most actors from hollywood. Hes on the same level as some professional athletes here in america that i wont name but i will say they play our version of football, and basketball, and tennis and well yea even golf... Honestly i think his dog has a better chance at being an international celebrity than he does! the dog is awesome!

pmendoza502 > chezcliff
08/05/2014 at 17:50

I could see getting shit faced with Kimi, playing poker with Bottas, and picking up chicks with Ricciardo... lolz

NeutronStar73 > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/05/2014 at 18:27

Really? He's been pushing fans away. I think you guys are making up excuses to not like him. And you all are huge effing hypocrites saying he complains too much? REALLY!?!? Let me go down the list of F1 drivers who have/or do complain ALL THE TIME:

ALL OF THEM.

Rounds complete. This season has been enough to make anyone complain, if they were in his shoes. Imagine during the Prost/Senna/Mansell era if "their" car was the one having all the trouble? Oh guess what? I don't have to imagine, because I remember it clearly. Google anything about Mansell at Ferrari, Mansell at Williams, Mansell at McLaren, Prost at Renault, Prost at McLaren, Prost vs Senna, Senna vs Prost, Senna vs Active Suspension Williams, Senna bitching at McLaren. On and on.

Here, I'll help with a little tidbit:

Nigel Roebuck on Mansell: "The relationship with Ferrari went sour in Mansell's second season with the team, when Alain Prost, previously the one man in motor racing for whom he had not a critical word, arrived. Paranoia about his team-mates, notably Prost and Nelson Piquet, both of whom, he darkly suggested, devoted every waking moment to undermining him, became wearisome, but it was only in the last couple of years of his F1 career that I, and others, actually came to dislike him."

There are numerous canards people put up about not liking Hamilton, but they are pathetic distractions from why they "really" don't like him. And don't tell me he's ALWAYS had a winning car. McLaren in 2009? 2010? 2011? 2012? And what about his highly "regarded teammates"? Alonso bitched and moaned about Hamilton (who beat him to sleep) and became a traitor to his own team, and he didn't win a championship. Button has been nowhere against Hamilton, and still nowhere.

There is a reason Hamilton is highly sought after by all the teams. And don't even start with Hungary.......even a team principal like NIKI FREAKING LAUDA (3x Champ) said Hamilton did the right thing to not slow down to let Nico past. Anyone who believes otherwise is fooling themselves.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > NeutronStar73
08/05/2014 at 18:29

Lewis is that you?

NeutronStar73 > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/05/2014 at 18:35

Hahaha! I wish. Just people have ridiculously short memories when it comes to F1.

And really? You guys make a big deal about his personal life? Don't blame him....it's the media who finds it necessary to put it in your face all the time. Ain't like he has a crew following him around on his dime to do that. They do it because of one thing: MONEY. People want to hear about it, so they'll provide it to the masses. Last time I checked, Uncle Bernie runs the video feeds, so pix of Nicole aren't his fault.

Leon711 > Road Magazine
08/06/2014 at 05:29

he is so unlikeable that I, a british national am actively rooting for Rosberg. Rosberg has a friendly demeanour and enjoys a laugh, then can turn into a ruthless racer. Hamilton on the other hand takes himself too seriously and seems to alienate himself. Hamilton could have been a great.

Trillax2 > NeutronStar73
08/06/2014 at 14:07

Surely you cannot be serious. Hate to break it to you, Hamilton had a WDC capable car in 2010 and 2012. It was also quite competitive in 2011. Button has been nowhere against him? What? Jenson actually scored more points than him during their 3 years together. Hamilton "beat Alonso to sleep?" They tied on points.

You don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about and drivel such as this from his fans is part of what pushes some away from Lewis Hamilton.

Trillax2 > NeutronStar73
08/06/2014 at 14:07

That said I would like to see him win the title this year.

titsinmymitts > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
08/07/2014 at 10:47

It's amazing how much Alonso and Lewis have changed in the past 5 or so years.

When I began watching F1 in 2008 or 2009 (long hiatus during college, just started watching again) I fucking hated Alonso. HATED. I thought he was a gigantic asshole.

Now, Lewis is by far the cockiest bastard on the grid and Alonso seems so much more mellow. For whatever reason, I still kinda like Lewis as he drives his ass off, but Alonso is by far my favorite driver.

I will say, though, that this moment back in 2007 is hilarious. Troll level: Nando.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > titsinmymitts
08/07/2014 at 11:41

I think you're kind of right, and I also used to think of Alonso as a huge asshole. I think maybe he's gotten better as he's aged. I had friends that of course thought he was cool because he was popular. He was like the Ronaldo of F1...everybody loved him.

Wow, I'd never seen that video before, I wasn't really watching too much back then. That's crazy, I can imagine there were some heated words after that.