What's Eating Lewis Hamilton?

Text and Photo by Dana Larkin

As a poised and elated Jenson Button stood atop the podium at Suzuka this past weekend, it was hard to fathom that anyone ever doubted that he would succeed at McLaren. But when he joined the Woking team in 2010, there were serious doubts. Many chalked his 2009 World Championship at Brawn up to the reg-busting trick diffuser and not Button’s driving skill. This was especially true in the second half of the 2009 campaign when Brawn began to run out of money and – coincidentally – Button stopped dominating. Furthermore, in 2010, McLaren was undoubtedly Lewis Hamilton’s team. Hamilton had been channeling development at McLaren ever since he stepped foot in the paddock back in 2007. He even stole two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso’s thunder and sent him packing in his rookie year. He had a World Championship trophy of his own on the shelf and was already a giant in the sport. Nevertheless – in an unexpected reversal of fortune – Button has clearly emerged as the far more professional and accomplished driver at McLaren.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton seems to have devolved into a sulking outsider. He is still the media favorite, but he rarely gives them anything positive to report. And Suzuka was no different. More mistakes have fed the media’s voracious appetite for rocks to stone him with. Missing out on a likely pole position due to a mistimed hot lap in Q3 and yet another run in with persistent middler Felipe Massa during the race has even the most devoted Lewis Hamilton fans shaking their heads. Worst of all, Hamilton himself seems sullen and depressed most of the time. Gone is that wide boyish grin in the paddock and disarming temperament in the interview room. In short, he is simply not enjoying himself. Whether you are a Hamilton fan or not, it has been painful to watch.

Some have insisted that most of Lewis’ problems could be solved by better management. But is that really the case? Take for instance Vettel. He has no manager and negotiates all of his own deals. None of F1′s golden age heroes ever had official management. Yet things are different now. So much more is at stake and the tasks are seemingly endless. Can a young driver seeking to focus on winning at the track really handle it all adeptly on his own? Opinions in the paddock differ and there is no consensus on the importance of proper management in modern Formula 1.

As for Button, his manager – Richard Goddard – seems to have done a tremendous job. His client is focused, mature and seems to be having the time of his life. Also, Button’s father and girlfriend stand quietly in the shadows ready to support him when necessary and celebrate with him when it is warranted. They neither smother nor seek to overshadow him. Button has also credited the relationship that he has with personal fitness trainer Mike Collier. Button often works with him in the high pressure world of elite triathlons where a mentor is essential. This relationship has clearly been beneficial for Button – both mentally and physically.

Yet how much credit should these team outsiders get for Button’s success? After all, Jenson’s career has not all been smooth sailing. He was all but written off at the end of 2008 as yet another talented young driver who failed to maximize his potential. He has been around the block more than once. McLaren is his fourth team. He has weathered criticism for being to drawn in by F1′s glamour and not its glory. Today – however – Button is clearly the happier, confident and more established of the McLaren drivers.

They question now is, why?

We are all familiar with how Lewis soured on his father as his manager after Anthony criticized Lewis’ budding celebrity lifestyle. Now with rookie Paul di Resta, Anthony appears to be having a positive impact where it can be used the most. But why didn’t it work for Lewis? I suppose that at his age and with his accomplishments he wouldn’t want his father telling him what to do. Yet, Hamilton’s current management and personal support team rarely even make it out to the races. Although Hamilton insists that their conspicuous absence is at his request, one must wonder if he doesn’t miss having a friendly voice in the paddock, someone who has solely his interests at heart – someone like his father.

Lewis Hamilton has had tremendous success in Formula 1. He has won two races in 2011 – only Vettel and Button have won more – and is in the top five in points. He has made untold millions, is recognized everywhere he goes and is an inspiration to racing fans around the world. He has shown – at times – an unrivaled drive and focus. Nevertheless, it is impossible to view this mistake-marred season as anything but a lost year for the young champion – a season that he would like to end and forget. Yet is there anything to indicate that things will change in 2012? Why would they? Is management the difference? Would Lewis even accept that type of help if it were offered?

Probably not.

 

Dana, another stellar piece, thanks mate!

 

Great read, Dana!

 

The first step is to address these abominations:

 

Sick article yet again Dana! You really need to start getting paid for these and having them published on the big F1 sites (autosport etc)!

 

Nice article Dana. My sense is Hamilton should get his father back, and also he would benefit from being married. He seems to be having a crisis of confidence which is causing him to try too hard.

The Lewis Hamilton of the last 2 years is strikingly different from the Lewis Hamilton of 2007. In 2007 he didn't just beat Alonso on speed, but also on maturity. I was struck by his perfect finishing rate in the earlier part of the 2007 season. The first time he assumed the lead in the 2007 championship he did it by racking up a lot of second places without winning many races. Part of his discipline was born of low expectations - everyone expected Alonso to take the glory. Towards the end of the season when he was the favorite we saw mistakes.

In 2009, Lewis also had a terrific season. McLaren was out of the game from the beginning and he had no pressure. Again we saw a confident intelligent driver who punched well above his weight.

It seems Lewis struggles under pressure. I think Sebastian had this issue too - in 2009 and 2010 when he kept crashing when he wasn't in the lead.

So I think your analysis of how sound Button is - is right on the money. It would help Lewis I think if he was married, if he had a better relationship with his manager, and if he had more mentorship.

Maybe Ron Dennis needs to spend more time with Lewis, maybe also they should bring Hakkinen in as a coach.

 

Great piece Dana!

I think Lewis needs to stop focusing on all the stuff around him and start focusing 100% on his driving. He's doing to much small (and big) fvck ups right now.. And i think that it is his mind who just isn't right at the moment.

 

He sure might be a great driver, but first he needs too learn to respect other drivers on track as well.

 

Great article Dana! I really enjoyed reading it.

Isn't Hamilton managed by some large entertainment talent agency? I seem to recall hearing something along those lines where he is the only F1 driver to be managed by a company that's never managed an F1 driver before. Maybe this has something to do with his problem. Maybe he needs someone to be at the races, give him support, and keep an eye on him and perhaps this talent agency is too hands-off to do this.

I wonder if his early success in F1 went to his head as well. A few years back, he was so supportive of his team and now he's so critical. Even when he wins a race, he never seems to have anything good to say about his team. He seems to lack some ability to look inward and find his own faults, blaming his team or other drivers if he doesn't make it onto the podium.

I was a huge Hamilton fan for his first few seasons in F1, and who couldn't have been? He was F1's golden boy. Now, he's just a whiny, immature driver who seems to have lost his way in F1 before reaching his prime. I hope he finds whatever he's looking for to get him back on the path to success.

 

Wtf does that have to do with anything?