Comments on: Video: Did Hamilton cause his gearbox problem? (updated)

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:22:41 +0000

Andy – as you can see in an article linked to above there was a journalist who made up a quote claiming Hamilton admitted he had pressed a button on his steering wheel:

Hamilton did not admit causing car failure in Brazil

The journalist later admitted he made the quote up. Despite that many people continue to believe Hamilton’s problem was self-inflicted, particularly those who don’t like him…

By: andy

andy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:09:01 +0000

rather late i know but i’ve just come across this and for all of you who think hamilton caused this himself…. why on earth would he try and take a drink through a fast corner like that??? surely he’d be waiting for a straight or a less intense moment. the problem had already started to develop by the time this video starts.

By: mr muriel

mr muriel — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:30:36 +0000

What’s all the fuss about Hamilton? New boy on the block? I think not! How many other drivers can you name that have had the benefit of being sponsered and tutored by one of the world’s leading race teams.Untill we see the full introduction of professional 10 year old apprentice drivers there is no one with whom to compare Hamilton with. Untill then why not treat Hamilton as just another good driver who happened to have his F1 debut coincide with Mclaren’s most reliable season for quite some time and Ferrari’s most unreliable!!!! We won’t mention the spying will we?

By: Kollo

Kollo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:06:25 +0000

La Presse journalist now admits Hamilton did not speak to him. Other journalists were telling him what Hamilton had supposedly said to his engineers.

Hamilton’s steering wheel had the Neutral button on the left side. This can be seen from the photos taken during the weekend. Even if he pressed the button accidentally before the problem occurred, it doesn’t explain why the problem lasted so long. I can only think it was a technical problem.

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:46:48 +0000

Hamilton did not admit causing car failure in Brazil

By: johannes

johannes — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:05:03 +0000

As I understand it, the steering wheel displayed on Mclaren’s site is last year’s model and the other link above (showing a replica) has the current configuration of buttons. In other words, I think it’s determined by now LH is pressing Neutral and nothing else. Though the video is inconclusive as to when LH presses it – that is, if he causes the car to slow down or reacts to the car slowing down – my impression is his action is very deliberate and determined, in sum: he did not cause the problem but reacted to it.

Maybe I should add I always rooted for Kimi, so this pro-LH interpretation is not based on me being one of his fans.

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:46:34 +0000

McLaren's website has this feature on the steering wheel: McLaren.com - Behind the wheel (external) And this clickable guide: McLaren.com - Interactive steering wheel (external)

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:27:24 +0000

The wheel shown in comment 31 by Lee is not the real wheel. I don’t know if Hamilton pushed it or not but in the real wheel, I have seen it many times, it is in the top left.

Answer to another question … the car would slow down very quickly with the speed limiter. Hard to believe but from the video and the timing it really looks like he pushed it.

In any case Raikkonen deserved it more than any mercedes driver.

By: oliver

oliver — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:52:35 +0000

Journeyer:

Barichello statement was actually joke. I like him.

By: Journeyer

Journeyer — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:36:33 +0000

I wouldn’t agree with your Rubens-Honda comment, oliver. Remember, they won last year (Rubens’ 1st with them). It’s just that it was Jenson who won.

As for Hamilton as a polarizer, isn’t that the case with all the greats? Raikkonen, Alonso, Schumacher, Mansell, Senna, Prost, Piquet, Lauda…