Hamilton won't win title, says Briatore

Eurosport - Sat, 18 Oct 14:02:00 2008

Lewis Hamilton will throw away the Formula One title again this year because he has learned nothing from last season's failure, according to Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

2008 Hungarian GP Renault Briatore - 0

"In my opinion Hamilton will try to throw the title away again," Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper quoted the Italian as saying at the Chinese Grand Prix.

"He and McLaren were amazing last year, to lose it with a 17-point lead and two races to go is Guinness Book of Records stuff.

"Now that he has a five point-lead, he could repeat the trick. For me, Massa will win the title."

The 23-year-old McLaren driver leads Ferrari's Felipe Massa by five points and can clinch his first title as the youngest champion on Sunday at the penultimate race of the season in Shanghai.

The Briton could also have won the title in China last year but ultimately lost out when Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen made up a 17 point deficit in the final two races to win by a single point.

In Japan last weekend, Hamilton made a wild start and failed to score in a race that saw his lead over Massa cut from seven points.

"Hamilton has learnt nothing. We saw that in Japan," said Briatore, whose double world champion Fernando Alonso has won the last two races.

Alonso and Hamilton were feuding team mates at McLaren last year before the Spaniard, who recently made clear that he favours Massa, returned to Renault.

"You should tell him that he is a Formula One driver, not a Martian," said Briatore of Hamilton. "He is not Muhammad Ali. He is a young man who must still demonstrate his worth.

"He is a good driver but you see good drivers also taking results home. There are good (soccer) forwards who always hit the post or the bar and the ball never goes in.

"Then there are those that score and he hasn't scored yet."

The Italian also blasted McLaren, who were fined $100 million and stripped of their constructors' points for a spy saga involving Ferrari last season and also made allegations against Renault.

"It is logical that I support Ferrari, as an Italian, as Flavio Briatore, as Renault, for the relationship we have with Ferrari," he said.

"Instead McLaren accused us of spying, we went on for four months with this nonsense that never existed."

Reuters

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  1. Too all those wanting to know about invalid comments. I emailed Yahoo directly to ask them what exactly is invalid about a host of terms 4 weeks ago. I am yet to get a response.

    From ginger_gitt, on Fri 17 Oct 7:16PM

  2. Hamilton is a spoiled @#$%..Screw you and your boy..Just wait when Massa or even Kubica clinch the title in a month time. Way to go Mr. Briatore. Your words are well heard

    From saoud, on Fri 17 Oct 7:13PM

  3. INVALID COMMENT ? WHY YAHOO WHY ?
    I DEMAND AN ANSWER.

    From Alien, on Fri 17 Oct 7:02PM

  4. no one every reads these comments apart from adjoining writer

    From llorretta22, on Fri 17 Oct 7:01PM

  5. so my opion is an invalid comment but asking yahoo to clarify what invalid comment means isn't ?
    How can that make sense ?

    From Alien, on Fri 17 Oct 7:00PM

  6. don't worry kids EXPERIENCED ALONSO WILL SHOW THEM THE WAY TO THE LINE
    while squabble on the grass

    From llorretta22, on Fri 17 Oct 7:00PM

  7. could yahoo please clarify what constitutes an invalid comment.

    From Alien, on Fri 17 Oct 6:59PM

  8. Sniping comments of drivers and team owners who should know better seem like immature desperate unprofessional attempts to weaken Hamiltons resolve. Whoever wins this weekend and ultimately the championship, let victory be secured on entertaining racing merit rather than the doubtful decisions of officials. May the best driver and team win.

    From Steve B, on Fri 17 Oct 6:56PM

  9. Forza was right to remind us of the true racing spirit of the Arnoux Villeneuve days. Lewis and his racing style is reminiscent of that excitement and should be applauded. There will always be those drivers, teams and supporters that will whinge about his style, perhaps more than a little envious that he shows a flair that their chosen driver has yet to reveal. Let's hope the processional, political days are behind us and the new breed of real racers are encouraged to let their bravado and skill on the track speak for itself.

    From Steve B, on Fri 17 Oct 6:37PM

  10. ARROGANT. Having an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities. Oxford English Dictionary. I find it difficult to see how this description could justly be applied to Hamilton. It seems to me that those who do, confuse arrogance with CONFIDENCE Feeling confidence in oneself or feeling certainty about something. Every sportsman or woman at the top of their game must exude confidence in their ability if they are to aspire to be the best in the world. Self belief is as essential as a competitive car and racing skills if a driver is to win a world title. Racing prowess in any driver, for any team should be applauded for bringing excitement to the sport. I would like to see Lewis win the championship for the sake of the sport, because it would restore the faith of every true F1 supporter that racing has a chance of remaining the thrilling spectacle we all want to see.

    From Steve B, on Fri 17 Oct 6:29PM

  11. Lets face it Lads 'n' Lasses Lewis will only win the championship if the FIA and its marshalls stop penalising Lewis for something he hasn't done.
    Massa or Kimi will win because the sport is as bent as a ten bob note.

    From anthony m, on Fri 17 Oct 6:17PM

  12. f1 is starting to look like boxing with all the pre-fight (pre-race) antics and interviews to generate hype. i don't know if i like it. so far...not.

    From Junie R, on Fri 17 Oct 6:13PM

  13. why

    From clement l, on Fri 17 Oct 6:07PM

  14. Lewis can score as many points as he wants in however many years, it still doesn't matter until he wins the WDC.

    From Eric, on Fri 17 Oct 5:43PM

  15. Luis is still a child. if he can and only if he can calm down he can become greatest ever. with his attitude at the moment he is not even half of Alonso and he'll blow it again!

    From peterfedorco, on Fri 17 Oct 5:43PM

  16. R E S P O N S E to BRIATORE - Just your opinion "NOT" fact!

    From Ed, on Fri 17 Oct 5:33PM

  17. IF HAMILTON FAILS TO WIN TITLE HE HASONLY HIMSELF TO BLAME
    WITH HIS CONSTANT STREAM OF ERRORS

    From ssharifahh, on Fri 17 Oct 5:19PM

  18. EXPERIENCED ALONSO WILL AGAIN SHOW THEM THE WAY HOME

    WHILE THE KIDS TANGLE AROUND ON THE GRASS BEHIND HIM

    From ssharifahh, on Fri 17 Oct 5:18PM

  19. Post 48. To each his own i say.lol

    From smiler, on Fri 17 Oct 5:13PM

  20. I think too much is being made of this. Flavio prefers Ferrari because he is Italian, simple as that.

    As far as Hamiltons aggressive style goes, would you rather noone overtook anyone? People criticised Senna and Mansell in the same way, others with an uncompromising style and a good line in forceful passes, but they're two drivers who we look back on with reverence. Every genius needs a flaw, don't slam the guy cos he has a go, he's a plucky Brit and we love him for it.

    From Paul, on Fri 17 Oct 5:12PM
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