Formula One, Lewis Hamilton and a History Lesson!

First and foremost, I am NOT trying to start an argument here; I am just airing a few of my own points. Why is everyone being either completely for or completely against Lewis Hamilton?

There is no shadow of a doubt that he is a VERY talented driver. However, there are a few things that people are overlooking. No, he hasn’t had his drive at McLaren handed to him; and he HAS had to work for it, but not work as hard as some in the past.

It is true that money and motor sport have to come hand in hand. I competed in Rally-cross for two years in Germany. I had to pull out after two years because it cost me too much money. Tyres, engine parts, and cars (I rolled my first car and had to buy a new one completely).

£11m that McLaren has put into him has helped Lewis and his family out by taking away the worry of having to think about where the next set of tyres have to come from, or the worry of how they were going to pay for the next engine blowup.

If you look at some of the greatest drivers of all time, you have to look at their financial situations, too.

I would like to start with Gilles Villeneuve, who started when his father let him drive the car on and off the driveway. Then he started driving and found that he had a natural ability to drive fast.

He then went into snowmobile racing which he was putting all of his own money into; he had no sponsors, and his parents put in as much as they could.

He then had to struggle and live as cheaply as possible. For several years, he lived in a mobile home on his parents drive way with Joanne and young Jacques.

When he got his F1 drive with McLaren (who then broke their contract) he went onto Ferrari and still didn’t really get the money he should have until he started winning races.

Next I would have to mention is Nigel Mansell, who was racing in the lower formulae borrowing money from friends, family and the bank, sold everything they owned and re-mortgaged their house to fund Nigel’s’ racing even before getting into F1.

When he eventually did, he still had to work and drive better than everyone else to earn his money. Jim Clarke, who came from a farmer's family background, just raced cars fast and won races in cars that were slower than everyone else.

He got into F1 by fluke, being Lotus’ test driver and driving better than the actual drivers, but still not having any money. He had to get to race meetings and test meetings by paying out of his own pocket.

As for Michael Schumacher, his parents worked themselves to the bone to put Michael into races. They had to build the cars themselves and do everything in-house until Michael got into that Benetton in Spa in 1991.

Those four drivers didn’t have the financial backing that Lewis has had. I am not and would never say that an F1 driver can’t make it to be a world Champion, but if Lewis Hamilton didn’t have the financial backing, would he be sitting where he is now?

His raw talent is very, very good. He WILL be a world champion, all I’m trying to do here is just give an example of how a lot of money can help.

I hope people on this site don’t think I am against Lewis, as I am not. I really enjoy watching his flamboyant racing style; he has made F1 more exciting again.

The era of Ferrari winning everything is over and McLaren are now back in the limelight with Lewis.

I am thankful of the guy being as good as he is; I’m just trying to give you all a different perspective on things whether you are for or against Lewis. Thanks.