Lewis Hamilton has insisted he will not change his driving style, even if it is not always suited to the car or conditions. He said: "There's been times when my driving style has not suited the car, the tyres or the tracks where I've raced. But I've always driven like this and always will. I'll always be the last to brake - it's how I am, that's what makes me who I am." http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsport/story/40032.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Adapting and changing driving style is one area where Lewis often struggles - he is always driving aggressively, even when it is not needed. Take Monza 2009 for example, Lewis Hamilton was never going to catch the car ahead, if he had cruised to the line, he would have been on the podium, but instead he pushes too hard on the final lap and crashes. In Korea, Fernando Alonso drove up to 4.6 second a lap faster than Hamilton, and that was due to tyre management - another area which Lewis struggles - again, as a result of his aggressive driving style. Adapting is one thing that makes a driver more complete. If Lewis Hamilton could improve in this area, he could be the best driver on the grid - but his comments today show that he is not willing to even try to improve.
He doesn't need to improve. It was that driving style that meant he beat the youngest ever double world champion in his rookie year. That style that got him the WDC in his second year. Don't fix what isn't broken.
At the moment he is a very good driver, but he needs to improve in his ability to adapt to the conditions. Hamilton has openly admitted he never changes his driving style, and I think this resistance is stopping Hamilton from becoming a better driver.
"I didn't get where I am today without driving this way. I've been able to win championships throughout my life, in every category I have ever competed and that's a lot of championships." I repeat - he doesn't need to improve.
But in Formula One specifically, he has been aggressive and it has paid off - Hamilton wins races, etc. Then there are times (Like Monza 2009) where Hamilton continues to be aggressive and he suffers as a result. You could even say that he missed out in 2007 as a result of overly aggressive driving - same with 2010. I'm not saying that he's the only one with this issue, but at least others try to improve as drivers. Hamilton needs to realise the flaws in his ability and sort them out.
He may well think that way at the minute,he's still young and relatively inexperienced,occasionally inpetuous too. But as he gets older and wiser am sure he WILL adjust/adapt his driving style,and as he does so he'll become a better driver IMHO.
Yes. And something Hamilton does need to improve on is dealing with the pressure he faced in 2007/8 which is where we will see that adaptation. His driving style doesn't need to improve - his handling of his snap judgement is probably where he can improve.
Infairness to Jose,I thought it was a valid point about Hamilton.I agree to a certain extent,Hamilton would become a more complete driver if he adapted his style. As I posted earlier,given time and experience am sure he will become a better decision maker and consequently,a better driver.
AMCO,yeah agreed. That's really what i was trying to say.His snap judgement calls often get him into trouble ,sometimes cost him points. He's very entertaining to watch,when a move comes off it's great to see,but hopefully as he gets older n wiser,he'll be more selective with his decision making.
I thought he looked a lot more cautious at the end of this season, trying to pass Hulk at Interlagos springs to mind (there were a couple of other occasions but I can't remember exactly) he seemed to lose some confidence after crashes in Monza, Singapore and Suzuka particularly when trying to overtake slower cars. He is over aggressive at times, but at other times his aggression is his strongest asset. If I were him I'd probably try to be a beat more selective with when I attack, but if that approach turned out to be more detrimental (as I think it was in Brazil) then I'd just switch back to all out aggression. That's his style, no point trying to go against his natural disposition, especially when it's already won him numerous races and a world title.
I agree with this totally, if he adapted his style he would be the best driver on the grid. He has more speed than most, but is lacking in other areas. The comment about him winning the title so he doesn't need to improve is a bit off the mark. There have been plenty of drivers in the history of F1 who have won the drivers Championship and maybe haven't been the greatest drivers and would even say so themselves, like Damon Hill for example.
Lets be realistic here, His driving style is awesome and he should never ever change it. What he can improve on in his dealing with immense pressure - this is when he can make some erratic moves. That said, he made less mistakes and Vettel, Webber and Alonso last season so he's on the right track. Nobody questions whether Alonso needs to adapt but have done with Webber and Vettel.
Vettel needs to adapt for sure, he is erratic sometimes. Webber is as good now as he will ever get, and not in the same class as the others.
I actually think Vettel made massive strides in the latter part of the season and he crucially did what Hamilton needs to do - stay cool, calm and collected. Once he figures out that turning right is not always the answer he will be brilliant.
