LEWIS HAMILTON SHOULD PUBLICLY THANK VETTEL? Part 1

Author : cmunroe

Sebastian Vettel, after the Mexican GP went to an area occupied by Mercedes AMG Petronas and congratulated them. His words were warmly received and frolicking applause was both visible and audible.

In the cut and thrust of professional sports, what is at stake occasionally stifles the emotional, compassionate, admirable, human element and the values, which we hope sports deliver to especially the young and impressionable, like Alice, become immersed in Wonderland.

In Mexico, in that moment, Vettel’s display distanced him from the aloof, self-centered representation we quite frequently hear when highly successful sports-stars are discussed.

But, it is also widely accepted that in motorsports, where #1 (P1) is the only numeral which adopts significance, an ego, the size of Texas, is as important an ingredient as the Jamaican lime is to refreshing, stimulating lemonade!

HAMILTON

I listened to Lewis Hamilton as he struggled to gather his dispersed thoughts and submit to the fact that he was indeed a 5 times World Champion. He walked the script, commended and expressed profound gratitude to  the individuals who occupy the various layers of the highly successful Mercedes AMG Petronas team. And he should.

I am still scouring the web though and reading at length to ensure that I did not leave a syllable unread or an interview unheard. I have neither seen nor heard it. It is my view that Lewis Hamilton, despite the riotous mayhem which he delivered on-track, is indebted, to an immeasurable degree, to an individual he has chosen not to mention.

FERRARI

With what Ferrari brought to each GP, Mercedes for the first time in recent years, was like the tortoise chasing the hare – playing catch up! That simply does not happen to the German juggernaut.

Essentially, to say that Hamilton’s success was arrived at solely as a result of his rampaging tenacity would be indicative of mendacious tendencies! True? Lol.

In F1, we know this – if a driver is not sitting in one of the few victory-worthy machines – at present Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari -  the top step is a figment of his imagination. Ask former World Champion Alonso.

In 2018, Hamilton’s equipment was found wanting, when, like an assertive Eagle, the Ferrari was soaring. To secure #5 Hamilton needed an accomplice. Did he find one in Vettel?

Should Lewis Hamilton publicly thank Vettel?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer

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14 Responses to “LEWIS HAMILTON SHOULD PUBLICLY THANK VETTEL? Part 1”

  1. Lears says:

    Thank Vettel for what? Making mistake after mistake to make Hamilton’s journey to a fifth world title a procession? That would not go down at all well in camp Ferrari, and would give ammunition to a more determined Ferrari campaign in 2019.

    Besides that, despite whatever Hamilton may think of Vettel privately, he has spoken highly of his main rival as the year has gone on.

  2. cmunroe says:

    Welcome Lears! Without realising, you have quite eloquently made my point in the sentence which appears immediately after your question. Hamilton’s journey to #5 was indeed a procession! Why was this so Lears?

    Hamilton was being diplomatic, I am sure, when he spoke highly of Vettel. Wouldn’t you embrace your competitor and offer him a drink if he consistently removed the obstacles from your path to ensure that you could walk without hindrance to P1? Vettel was Hamilton’s secret weapon! Lol!

  3. Lears says:

    I say once more Cecil, in Hamilton’s shoes, I would not provide ammunition that could endanger adding to a haul of 5 titles.

    There are too many cautionary tales in sport (and life) that favor steering away from that slippery slope. :-)

  4. cmunroe says:

    Lears, I hear you. Think about this though – which is more rewarding and pleasurable ? A victory after a bruising, nail-biting encounter or an uncontested run to the finish line. Your mettle will be revealed by the choice you make! Lol!

    And while you think, insert this thought – it may be argued that in 2018 we have seen Hamilton at his scintillating best – the Q-lap in Singapore and others are still being discussed today! Why is this so Lears?

    Do you honestly think Hamilton unearthed brilliance simply because he had it within him. Or can the argument be successfully made that what we saw was the product of ingredients provided by the opposing team which, for the first time, retained the superior machine! Hmmmm.

  5. MJ says:

    I think the writer of this article is being sarcastic, should bolt thank Gatlin for over striding, should Chelsea thank Gerrard for slipping? They came to race, Hamilton executed, Vettel did not.

  6. cmunroe says:

    Welcome MJ! No sarcasm involved. Do you realise that 2018 marked the first year which saw Mercedes being beaten for pace? Even Lewis was forced to admit that the Ferrari was faster. Which means, MJ, the championship was Vettel’s to lose. And he did! Who benefited from Vettel’s incompetence?

    Please note – Lewis had to step up significantly to match and beat Ferrari – something he admits. So Lewis’ results – think even in Italy – were possible due to Vettel being unable to deliver victory at Rounds, which clearly, the Ferrari was the best machine in the garage.

    Oh, Bolt did not need to thank Gatlin – they were never in the same league! Lol. Bolt, when he was Lightning Bolt (2008 – 2016) was always too good for Gatlin!

  7. MJ says:

    I agree that Ferrari had pace, but somehow Ferrari lost that pace after the break and only seem to get it back in Mexico. Vettel in an interview admitted that they made changes and it didnt work. So to say Vettel poor driving along contributed is not 100% accurate.

    Mind you, if Mercedes didnt have problems with their tyres i dont think Vettel would have finished ahead of Hamilton last Sunday.

  8. reticent says:

    I had no interest in F1 racing before Lewis Hamilton entered the sport and he is responsible for my continued interest.

    So, I wish some people would try a bit harder to embrace the fact that his victories are due to teamwork, as well as his personal abilities and cease trying so hard to undermine his achievements.

  9. Janet Holness says:

    I can only assume Lears was being sarcastic or is a bigtime Ferrari supporter. How else would he have the audacity to suggest “thanking Vettel”. Lewis won because he outperformed Vettel on every level despite not having the better car this year. Lewis is THE better driver. Simple.
    My apologies to Lears. My comments should be aimed at CMunroe.

  10. cmunroe says:

    Hola Janet! Where have you been all this time? Perspective from the fairer sex about a visibly male-dominated sport is refreshing and appreciated. Having said that we are in an era of gender equality and as such I am forced to trample on your inaccuracies! Lol!

    Frequent visits to these pages would have confirmed that I have nothing but admiration for Lewis Hamilton and I continue to state that he is my type of driver for all the things he brings to his craft. But, Janet, in 2018 Lewis did not outperform Vettel “on every level”. Not true Janet. Revisit the championship prior to the summer break – both 4-times world champions, at that stage were essentially trading blows and sharing victories.

    Lewis is the better driver – we all agree on that but Ferrari and Vettel scared him silly! Did you see Lewis Hamilton after the Spa GP? Outperformed Vettel on every level? No!

    Lewis was forced to raise his game. He brought a sequential gear box to a H-pattern duel! And when he did, Vettel imploded. Lewis’ road to #5 was made that much easier due to Vettel’s penchant for setting IEDs for himself!

  11. cmunroe says:

    Hailings Reticent. Your first sentence indicates who you support – you are a fan! And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But do not allow your preference to obscure rational thought.

    Lewis’ victories were due to many things and he must be congratulated for what he has accomplished. But it cannot be denied that in 2018, with the better car, at several rounds, Vettel and Ferrari somehow managed their affairs in a manner which allowed Lewis to steal victory. The 2018 season was defined by Vettel making – according to the experts – far more mistakes than Lewis Hamilton. You might disagree but that is the truth!

  12. cmunroe says:

    MJ, Ferrari did not lose the pace after the break. The first race after the break was at Spa. Ferrari was a red blur which incinerated the Mercs! Monza was next – Remember now? At enough tracks to alter the fate of his championship, Vettel engaged, like the Tesla – ludicrous mode – but in his case ludicrous had a literal translation!

  13. Byron Palmer says:

    Life should be that simple – where the fastest car always wins. The notion of mistake is tender “speak”. After the fact mumbo jumbo. If you posit or assume a particular standard, everything less in a test situation is a mistake.

    In sports and life, most times, making less mistakes is in fact the definition of winning. The performer who is likely to make the least mistakes, quantity and quality, is the better or best. Go Lewis, Thanks.

  14. cmunroe says:

    Welcome Byron. Happy that you have decided to express your view. We will willingly concede that life is not arranged as we would have it served. And in sports and life I will agree that for the most part making a minute number of mistakes when compared to others might . guarantee you P1.

    But, in motorsports, if we are brutally honest, we will also admit that having the fastest machine will not guarantee victory. Far too much is happening on the track. And when we consider that the grid is comprised of more than a dozen high-horsepower science projects – lol – your chances at grabbing the top spot requires an assessment from an actuary!

    My issue with Vettel’s campaign is the fact that his penchant for grabbing defeat from victory’s table destroyed the realisation of epic events between two stalwarts of the sport at the peak of their careers. Peak? Yes! Lewis has never been in better form! Vettel? I will allow you to comment. Lol!

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