I must say BeesKnees, much as I like Damon it did take Schumacher moving to Ferrari (whose car was vastly inferior at that point) to finally win the title, even though he was in an astonishingly good Williams car. And then Villeneuve came along and it was curtains for Hill as a world champion. I'd say Lewis and Jenson, each in his own way, are both better than Hill; Lewis for his aggression and willingness to race, and Jenson for his as yet neary flawless driving this season. None of them are as good as Jim Clark was though.

petefrombristol; What are you on about? Since when was Damon always crashing, apart from a couple of altercations with Michael Schumacher when he let the red mist take over I don't recall him crashing all the time. He was one of the smoothest drivers ever in F1, more so than Button which led to some people saying he was boring as they do Button now. Give me talented drivers like Damon and Jenson who look after the car, any day of the week over drivers who are totally incapable of looking after tyres and spinning off half a dozen times in a race.

Exactly Chylout. The cry of the conspiracy theorist is the weakest debating mechanism around. The circumstances are always the same; the person in question cannot accept a certain event or occurrence, and therefore tries to weave an argument to undermine its credibility. This argument is usually complete conjecture, way less likely than the obvious (and true) explanation, and can be defended simply by a tap on the side of the nose and platitudes such as 'I know what's really going on here' and 'it's just too deep for you to understand'; or in other words 'it's not fair, it's not fair!' and 'I can't accept that you don't agree with me, so you must be too stupid to see the truth'. The problem is that there is no evidence, or even common sense behind the Glock theory at all. In fact, evidence (via video footage and lap times) and common sense are entirely on the side of the obvious explanation here. The only reason or motive for what the Glock theorists propose is that they themselves don't want Hamilton to win anything.

jamie666 absolutely spot on. Can't believe people are still bringing up the Glock - Brazil thing. But since you are, Woodsiesr, not only is jamie666's argument an excellent one, but I would also remind you that Glock set the quickest dry tyre lap of all those who stayed out on the final lap at Interlagos - for example Trulli in the same car also stayed on dry tyres and lapped slower than Glock on that lap - Toyota released that telemetry to prove it wasn't a fix. You also forget that most if not all of the field stated they were backing Massa for the title before the race. And finally, let's assume Glock / Toyota did intend to help Lewis out - if that was the case why would they stay out on dry tyres - that strategy was aimed at leapfrogging Hamilton and Vettel and, had the race been 1 lap shorter, it would have worked. They were doing what they could to get as many points as they could and the gamnle didn't pay off - how does that fit with your theory of Glock helping Lewis (or is that too great a leap of logic for you?)

I'm sure being down the field will help Hamilton longer term because he's practising how to defend in a slower car and also he's getting to actually race people, including Alonso last time (and it doesn't get any better than that). Damon won the world championship in a fast car but he wasn't exactly the best racer. He was always crashing. Top bloke though. Hamilton's going to be stronger still when he's in a pace setting machne again. I think he's handled adversity really really well this year. he hasn't grizzled once. I'm not sure why people dislike him so much. Because his media persona is a bit too "perfect" maybe? Hopefully he'll grow up and drop a few Kimi style bloopers soon :)

untac93 I think they were equal, I dont think you can say either won out in equal cars, What im more interested in though is why every single week there's "news" article about hamilton and mclaren having a character building year, is it them approaching the press or the other way round? Either way can both parties leave each other alone please until there is actually something to report?

No matter what you say or do Lewis, you have your critics and some of those are just plain haters of you. You have driven the pants off of Alonso when in equal cars and everyone wondered who this superkid was. After 2 thrilling seasons where you never let up until the final chequered flag is a tribute to your dedication and skill as a young F1 driver the likes that no one has ever seen before. And because of that people hate you but most admire your pure talent. And this year is good for you as you learn the skills of life that sometimes you need a bad season to learn from. Take these lessons learnt and show the F1 world again just how good Lewis and McLaren are once more.

jamiec666 absolutely right, people who can't take losing don't have the intellectual capacity to look at facts and they also glory support.

J666 absolutely spot on.

Woodsiesr: I have to disagree with you on the Glock score. Has anyone watched the official FIA season review for 2008? It gives you onboard footage of Glock on the last lap - he is all over the shop, every time he presses the throttle, his car loses the back end. The very basic fact that people still fail to realise about that 'incident' (though it's not really an incident if someone decides to stay out on dry tyres in the pouring rain, just a poor decision), is that Toyota made a gamble with both of their drivers. Had they pitted like everyone else, Hamilton would have been in 5th place anyway, and would never have had to overtake Glock in the first place. Surely if Glock or Toyota wanted to help Hamilton win the title they would just have pitted in the first place, not risked it on dry tyres in the wet, and left Lewis in the 5th place he needed. That people still believe that it was a stitch up, in blind ignorance of these facts, is a great discredit to the intelligence of F1 fans. Also, that Lewis Hamilton can draw this wealth of comments in a season when he is not even making it to Q2 speaks volumes about the interest and texture he has brought to the sport.

Wow what a lot of hard coments,I think he's a gutsy driver,so was Mansell,even though the press said he moaned a lot he was great to watch.I quite like to watch agressive drivers .He's had a lot of success in his early career now he is having to come to terms with a dog car.Lots of drivers have been through it.Loads of drivers would have been World Champion...IF only something had'nt happened.

Good man. Best to take that medicine and get back winning when the universe lets you.

Teach 206 what are you on? saying Hamilton would be double WDC without any mechanical failures is like saying Massa would be too without any mechanical failures. Truth is if Hamilton didnt have an overly aggressive driving style and poor tyre management skills, his tyre wouldn't have suffered a catastrophic failure and he would be a double WDC. How many times have you seen the Ham driving the tyres down to the canvas, or needing an extra pitstop compared to everyone else 'cause McL know he'll never reach the end otherwise...

Maybe that is why Nelsinho isn't winning any races. He needs daddy there to hold his hand. Or maybe Nelson Piquet doesn't show because he is too embarrased. Obviously in Nelson's case the apple fell very very far from the tree. As for the rest of them, correct me if I'm wrong but Lewis is the only one whos'e dad is his manager so he is expected to be there, the rest of them are just there for the glory ride.

It certainly gives us a break from seeing 80% of articles about him on PF1.

Wow, Nelson Piquet must have a strong character by now.

In that case, 10 more seasons as a back-marker should trim down the ego to a more normal levels and make him tolerable.

Also CooperS, can you explain what this obsession is with Hamilton's father? Have you not noticed a couple of other noticable names in the paddock whose fathers are always in the garage watching over their sons' performances? I'll give you two - Felipe Massa (whose dad was on our screens almost as often as his son was last season), and Jenson Button (whose father we constantly see cheering his son on in a rather camp pink shirt). Compare that to Nelsinho, whose father (in spite of being a 3 times world champion himself) barely ever attends races, and really couldn't seem to care at all.

Lewis Hamilton is nearly always critisized for being brash and immature. When He says something balanced and sensible you guys move the goalposts and dump on him again! Get some building blocks yourselves.

jaydoe, Please sir, remember that Lewis had a maasive tyre failure that cost him the WDC in his first year. Yes there were other things too, but remember that one when you speak of shunts. Remove any of the MECHANICAL failures and he'd of been F1's newest double champ. And, also remember, sir, that he has the biggest hurdle of all to overcome and he stomped it to death. the Alonso Hurdle, who was just the reigning Champ. He showed him up from the first day of testing, and never stopped until Alonso quit! He is a General with no real scars, as you put it, because he was that good. Does a dirty mechanic equal a good mechanic? Does a surgeon with small cuts all over his hand equal a good surgeon? Does a dictator with unseen power make a good FIA head? See my point? Scars are for those who eather have had some character building bad times or who just aren't very good. Alonso's stint with Macca was one where he just was shown as not being as good as everyone believed he was, having a rookie show him how to drive! Alonso's scars are lac-a-talent derived...

He deals with defeat a lot better than some the cry babies who have posted comments so far.

Obiswift, Sure you can say that you would like to see Lewis in a better car, but by the same token, if he hadn't been in a very good car last year, or if he hadn't been helped by Glock on the last lap fiasco, he wouldn't have won the title. There are a lot of drivers deserving of world titles on the grid. Alonso, Vettle, reikkonen and Kubica to mention a few. In equal cars, I think Hamilton would have his work cut out for him to even make a podium apperance. He has no reason to be so arrogant! He is definately a good driver, but certainly not the best.

jaydeo did you flow Hamilton the first season when he was first and tyre blew an other time he was given a non existent penalty by the FIA, don't think so. Any way if you are a fan of the Clowns in Red I don't blame you to say this as Shumi 2 twice had battle scars to win the WDC (sorry I meant drove into other drivers) Wake up

Wait a minute guys! Lewis is a race car driver. He's not running for office or trying to cure cancer. The attacks on his (and his father's ) character is a little over the top. I'm a forty year Ferrari fan in case you think I'm a McLaren fan. I don't like the way Lewis races but I don't think he or McLaren care what I think. Just like alot of people used to attack Schumi, he was still seven times World Champion.

Why do some people assume if you do not like Lewis there is a racist connoctation involved? As F1 drivers go, I am not particularly keen on Trulli, Fisi, Nakajima or Webber. Does any of that make me in any way racist? As for Lewis, I am British and was rooting for Kimi and then for Massa over the last two championships because I never liked Lewis' attitude, however, I have to admire his skill. Best car or not, you try driving a machine like that with such consistency and precision. And this year, the stupid lie thing just made me justify my thoughts about him, yet I feel myself warming to him as a person as this year goes by. But it seems the biggest reason for people to dislike him is the fact he joined McLaren just as they became the team to beat - how much would you have loved to have had that opportunity, or for those of you like Anthony Hamilton, to see your son get that opportunity? Now, Anthony is a whole other matter...

now i surely feel you are a good man

Lewis hamilton being world champion is like a General with no scars from battle. He has not experienced any first corner shunts or blown engines while in the lead. These are fundamental things that all great F1 drivers have experienced and come back from. this is probably the reason why most die hard F1 fans still do not respect LH....like me!

Lewis, you had caracter already. Do you still remember that you are the worldchampion ??, and yours wasn't a blown out fiasco like Jenson's so far.

saintdean I agree with all you say - why don't the rest of you give it rest. Say something constructive for a change.

'Hard times build character' Is this the title of your new book Lewis!

Lewis Hamilton is the most refreshing thing to happen to F1 in a long time. Before he came along everyone was pleased to stay in what was just a processsion of cars. Yes, his media skills might not be the best, but when he gets in that car all he wants to do is win, and you should be thankful for that. Please tell me that this year is just as entertaining as the last two, i beg you. 2007/08, had some of the best racing that this sport has had to offer in a long time, and it is thanks to this man that it came about. Give him a break or continue with what ever ANTI group you's are joined to, and I'm speaking to the Hamil Haters.

Hard times are a little more than that boy! You sit there on your multi-million $ contract, multi-year contract in the second best team in the paddock. All you have is a slow car - for once!

CooperS - so you get to be WDC without "any redeeming qualities"? How exactly do you justify that statement?

CooperS; I don't often agree with CooperS but he's hit the nail right on the head this time. Hamilton hasn't had any hard times, he's had everything handed to him on a plate and now he's driving a car that isn't the best. It also isn't the worst either. I can't think of any driver who always drove the best car, Schumacher certainly didn't, neither did Senna, Mansell, Prost etc, the list is endless.

What I find so annoying about people who discredit Lewis, is the fact they always do it when he has a bad day or off performance. I would love to see him back in the same car as Massa, Alonso, Rosberg, vettel, button, trulli but thats not going to happen. What I find funny is its always the same people who shoot lewis, these people are nothing but afraid. That an utter Rookie showed a world champ how to race. Lewis in his 1st year became a popular name and like michael shumacher no one will ever be able to say WHO IS LEWIS HAMILTON and Mean it!

I get really fedup with people that just enjoy criticizing, makes me wonder how much of these Formula 1 fans arnt racist. I mean i see it everywhere. Really gets me going, give a bit of breathing space, the only thing your doing is ruining the sport.

Hard times do indeed build character. However, I wouldn't classify earning $70 million a year to travel the world driving a Formula 1 car as having fallen on hard times. At best, this year he's learning how to act in the media.

Lewis is finally paying "his dues" this season, that some people felt he hadn't paid in the previous two. With any luck he'll emerge as a better driver for it, and we might see the end of rubbish non-stories like this one. Then again, F1 will always have slow weeks.

Aaah. Finally he learns. "True greatness is not without humility".

It's a true statment, in life sometime your the statue, other times your the pigeon.. My only hope is Lewis believes this to be true and does not expect that he shold always be driving the best car.. then he's know that at the start of each season he has to help the team develope the car and this is also an essential part of being a racing driver.

While it is true that hard times build character, you must have a foundation from which to build, Hamilton is completely devoid of any building blocks, therefore, the assumption that this will make hamilton better because of hard times is totally false and without merit. Hamilton does not have any redeeming qualities in my book, nor does his father