The British Grand Prix – another Formula One race and another collision involving Lewis Hamilton; though not entirely his fault, it must be said.
Former world champions Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart have recently piped up that Lewis Hamilton is driving in a dangerous and life threatening way, but I disagree.
The chiefs of F1 are aware that the sport can be over regulated and dull, so needs excitement and drivers who are willing to take risks. But Lewis Hamilton’s style of driving is nothing new. It’s not that long ago that Michael Schumacher was being criticised for exactly the same driving style which also resulted with a larger percentage of collisions as he squeezed every driver, at every corner, in every race.
Furthermore, the great Ayrton Senna was also chastised for his aggressive racing style. Now Senna is heralded as one of the best F1 racing drivers of all time. But his great rival Alain Prost and other contemporaries raised complaints at the time suggesting he was driving dangerously and created accidents by attempting to overtake when other drivers would hold back. The same is said of Lewis Hamilton. Statistics show he manages to overtake more than any other driver so it isn’t a surprise that he is involved in more accidents.
That aggressive style of driving is great to watch and I believe should be promoted on the race tracks of Formula One. However, it may be my age or the fact that I have become a grumpy old man, but there appears to be a distinct increase in impatient and dangerous drivers on our roads today; something I feel has been increasing year on year. Is it because our lives are becoming faster and we find ourselves in a constant rush to get from A to B to C, or is it more to do with the importance drivers place upon themselves while remaining oblivious to all else that is going on around them?
As far as I’m concerned F1 is a very dangerous sport and by its very definition I expect to see exciting, sometime dangerous manoeuvres by highly skilled drivers. The very opposite of what I want to see on motorways and highways but unfortunately I see far too often. No wonder there is an increase in advertising for no win no fee solicitors to cope with the demand of road accidents. The most common discomfort in minor vehicle accidents is whiplash and some lawyers solely deal with whiplash compensation.
If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a vehicle accident there is plenty of information on the internet to help, guide and advice you on what you should do and what you are entitled to. A compensation calculator will give you an indication of what you can claim for, if you are the innocent party and involved in an accident.
Road accidents and car crashes are a part of everyday life, whether or not your name is Lewis Hamilton!
The two Vodafone McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton talk exclusively about their chances of closing the gap on championship leader Sebastian Vettel at this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone in this video interview.
The drivers reflect on their previous performances at Silverstone and what it means to them to perform at their own track and the obvious importance of doing particularly well in front of the British fans.
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button @ Vodafone VIP Fashion Shoot
Vodafone VIP has set Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1™ drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button their toughest challenge to date. The teammates were tasked with styling, directing and photographing an eccentric high-end British Summer fashion shoot under the watchful eye of renowned stylist Valentine Fillol-Cordier.
Plunged head first into the world of fashion, the film follows Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button on set as, assisted by Valentine Fillol-Cordier, they style models Charlotte W and Eve Delf in iconic British-inspired outfits. Having put their styling prowess to the test, the drivers select props for the shoot with Lewis then taking the role of photographer and Jenson as photographer’s assistant.
Jenson was quick to get to grips with the outfit selection, as well as the intricacies of lighting, composition and camera setups, while Lewis also tackled his role confidently. “I’ve done several photo shoots”, Lewis commented, “so I kind of see how photographers behave and act. And obviously I’ve seen Austin Powers so that’s where I really took my inspiration from!” Both models seemed to have just as much fun as the drivers, with Charlotte W describing the day as “hilarious” and “completely different to any shoot I’ve ever been on”.
Previous Vodafone VIP online films have seen the drivers assemble their own F1™ car, and nab the best spots at their favourite festival by turning up in the depths of winter.
The film is just one element of Vodafone VIP, which gives customers access to the best of British festival, fashion and Formula 1™ events. Whether it’s the 2011 Formula One Satander British Grand Prix, music festivals or exclusive front row seats at London Fashion Week shows, Vodafone will be supplying customers with the hottest tickets and money can’t buy experiences. All Vodafone customers can register for Vodafone VIP by going online.
The film launches on the 27 June, ahead of the 2011 F1 Satander British Grand Prix on the 8th – 10th July.
Qantas today announced its plans to assist Red Bull’s F1Mark Webber in his ambition to obtain his pilot’s licence.
The Australian Formula One driver spent some time at Heathrow airport today in the cockpit of a Qantas A380 with one of the airline’s training captains, after having expressed a genuine interest in flying.
Mark Webber‘s ambitions will see him transfer his skill set from the grid to the skies. Qantas will provide mentoring support with one of the airline’s training pilots and time in the Qantas flight simulators, and will recommend an approved pilot training organisation in order for Mark to learn to fly – and are certain his driving skills and his excellent hand/eye coordination will put him in good stead in learning to fly an aircraft.
Webber stated that flying has been something that has always fascinated him; and having had the opportunity to fly over the Albert Park Formula One circuit in a Qantas B737 simulator earlier this year really consolidated his passion to fly an aircraft one day.
Yesterday, Red Bull-Renault’s Sebatian Vettel won the European Grand Prix in Valencia from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and team-mate Mark Webber, second and third respectively, to increase his lead at the top of the 2011 Formula One Drivers’ World Championship.
There was no repeat of the Canadian Grand Prix where a lapse of concentration allowed Jenson Button to overtake Vettel on the last lap. Yesterday the 23 year-old defending champion won the European Grand Prix with a fautless and somewhat effortless drive to give him his sixth victory of the 2011 season. He led from start to finish and never looked like being overtaken, even with a slight lead over Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
BBC1 commentator and former F1 driver, Martin Brundle remarked: “This has again been a study in dominance by Sebastian Vettel. [...] He was using his head, using his tyres better than anyone else and we haven’t seen him put a foot wrong.”
Following the race both Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren-Mercedes‘ Lewis Hamilton admitted they believe this season’s F1 Drivers Championship is already wrapped up. Though today, Lewis Hamilton has vowed to continue trying his best to beat the unstoppable Red Bull-Renault driver.
Sebastian Vettel’s victory yesterday extends his lead to 77 points with eight races still to go.
Lewis Hamilton finished in fourth place with Jenson Button in sixth.
F1 Drivers’ World Championship 2011
1 Sebatian Vettel (Germany) Red Bull-Renault 186 points
2 Jenson Button (Great Britain) McLaren-Mercedes 109
3 Mark Webber (Australia) Red Bull-Renault 109
4 Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) McLaren-Mercedes 97
5 Fernado Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 87
6 Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 42
7 Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 32
8 Vitaly Petrov (Russia) Renault 31
9 Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Renault 30
10 Michael Schumacher (Germany) Mercedes 26
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