Bernie: Hamilton deserves more praise

Eurosport - Wed, 05 Nov 18:04:00 2008

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has called for Lewis Hamilton to be given better recognition for his achievement in becoming the youngest ever world champion.

FORMULA 1 2008 Hamilton - 0

Hamilton won the drivers championship by a single point from Brazilian Felipe Massa following a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos last Sunday but the Briton is seen in some quarters as arrogant, something Ecclestone feels is unwarranted.

"Hamilton is a young man doing his best and I get upset with people who say he is an arrogant bastard and all this nonsense. Lewis has achieved an awful lot," Ecclestone told The Times.

Ecclestone opined that "there are so many people out there that want him to lose, so he has to make sure he delivers."

"I think he comes over as a bit over-confident but don't forget they said the same about (former champion) Michael (Schumacher)," he added.

"He has to be careful what he says and how he presents himself," warned Ecclestone, who told the Daily Express that if Hamilton handles himself well then "things will open up commercially" meaning that he could ultimately become as feted in his sport as Tiger Woods is in golf.

"There could be a Tiger Woods effect," Ecclestone acknowledged.

Hamilton has meanwhile praised the role of his father Anthony in helping him become world champion.

Anthony Hamilton introduced his son to karting aged eight and played a variety as Lewis' passion for motorsport developed once his fathe had sown the initial seed.

"He's been an inspiration," said Hamilton.

Jokingly, Hamilton added that "he's a dad, a pain" on occasion.

"But he has done all the work to get me where I am, made all the sacrifices from the beginning, and even now he is still doing that."

British lawmakers on Tuesday praised Hamilton's achievement - although one, Liberal Democrat Bob Russell, MP for the southern town of Colchester, criticised his tax exile status.

Hamilton last year decided to move to Switzerland, a move which Accountancy Age magazine has estimated could save him an estimated six million dollars a year.

A House of Commons motion tabled by Labour MP for Leicester, Keith Vaz, congratulated Hamilton and lauded him as "an excellent role model and inspiration for all young people to aspire to".

Russell, however, tabled his own motion to add the words: "but regrets that his patriotism to the country which nurtured him, and made his success possible, is to live abroad as a tax exile."

AFP

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  1. I don't actually think that anyone has suggested­ Lewis gets MORE praise than any of those you­ mention...licantropop....just give ANYONE praise for­ succeeding in WHATEVER they do....if it has been­ achieved by hard work and dedication.

    I DO agree that­ the drivers are paid far too much,however.

    A bettr­ system would be a basic salary...with bonuses for­ points made...that would focus their minds.

    Lewis made­ HALF of what Coulthard made this year...!!!!

    He could­ have just coasted round and STILL got his money.

    But­ he IS in a different mould to some other drivers and he­ enjoys actually racing..

    From Gargletrope, on Thu 6 Nov 1:58AM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Yes. I agree, he needs more praise!. More than obama,­ and the people that finds treatments for HIV, Malaria,­ cancer, etc....

    Even more than the guys in wars abroad­ risking their lifes, or the fishermans capturing cod in­ greenland.Yes, Hamilton, you are a role model!: bichy­ looking self obsesed girlfriend, the best car on planet­ when you are 20, driving at 200 m/h but in the way to­ Heathrow airport, risking childs and grandmas, missing­ red lights, earning millions and evading tax and­ claiming to be first black driver when your mum is­ blond...

    I WANT TO BE YOU!!!!

    lazy buggers...

    Get a­ job!

    From licantropop, on Thu 6 Nov 1:47AM

  3. What nonsense some posters talk...."tarnished­ trophy"...."unpatriotic" (because Lewis­ lives in Switzerland)...on and on this slliness­ goes.

    MANY other drivers live in countries they chose­ to move to,yet retain the national identity. Come to­ that MANY sportsmen/women do likewise(How many­ "foreign footballers" play for British clubs­ and visa versa)

    And can we all agree that regardless­ of who you support...F1 has shown that the application­ of penalties is NOT a level playing field. THIS is the­ real issue which needs to be resolved for the good of­ F1 future.

    And yes Bernie IS two faced­ prat..............so what's new ??

    From Gargletrope, on Thu 6 Nov 1:45AM

  4. ITS over. Theres a new blcak boy in town.

    From Geezer on a duke, on Thu 6 Nov 1:43AM

  5. REVENGE......do you want to play my joystick?....

    From motogp-f1 fan, on Thu 6 Nov 1:34AM

  6. Liam G. Please go back to playing with your joystick­ and leave this site to the big boys and girls.

    From Biggles, on Thu 6 Nov 12:42AM

  7. Bill Mac,stop commenting on comments.your the one being­ unpleasant.If you dont want to see negative comments on­ your fav.team,then stop reading.....

    From motogp-f1 fan, on Thu 6 Nov 12:28AM

  8. Lib Dem MP,Bob Russell is I believe one of those eco­ worriers that dont like motorsport or even cars for­ that matter so its no suprise that he has to be­ negative.Also his party want to tax all of us working­ more, if Hamilton doesnt like the amount of UK tax­ payable now I somehow think the Lib Dems tax increases­ are unlikely to lure him back.

    From John F, on Thu 6 Nov 12:07AM

  9. Don't push your luck Bill Mac.

    From Julie4Fernando, on Wed 5 Nov 11:51PM

  10. Invalid comment

    From Julie4Fernando, on Wed 5 Nov 11:49PM

  11. Oh so nooooooooooooow bernie praises Lewis, prolly­ because there nothing he can do to penalise him now :p

    From Matthew B, on Wed 5 Nov 11:39PM

  12. Just some cowardly little boy hiding behind a made up­ name I guess.

    From Julie4Fernando, on Wed 5 Nov 11:27PM

  13. What are you on about liam g.

    From Julie4Fernando, on Wed 5 Nov 11:21PM

  14. Hi Bill Mac. Whilst I may agree with your coment, you­ must respect the fact that not everyone has English as­ their first language.

    From IAN, on Wed 5 Nov 11:00PM

  15. I AN-derstand you clearly Bill Mac....

    From motogp-f1 fan, on Wed 5 Nov 10:57PM

  16. I always said that Bernie Ecclestone was a two faced­ hypocritical b@st@rd

    From boxster, on Wed 5 Nov 10:43PM

  17. What the hell is going on here I didn't send­ any'a thse messages? Must'a been a limey wrote­ this site.

    From Big Bad Mad Joe, on Wed 5 Nov 10:33PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    that tarnished trophy was gifted by massa fuel rig­ boys

    now the winners check is off to swiss banks --­ very patriotic ---

    From salsa747, on Wed 5 Nov 10:33PM

  19. *good work lewis

    From donbandit11, on Wed 5 Nov 10:28PM

  20. what a champ, I hope he enjoys a long career with every­ possible success! Goos work Lewis

    From donbandit11, on Wed 5 Nov 10:27PM
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