Why do Americans like Hamilton so much. Do they really believe he is that special?

Question

They are very vulnerable to the hype of black sports stars in white sports. American motor racing fans are only fascinated by Hamilton because he is black. Americans have a tendency to notice skin colour. When they see a black man in a white sport, they go: "Wow, he is the Tiger Woods of motor racing. He must be special because he is the only black guy". When they saw that incompetent black presidential candidate Barack Obama or whatever his name is, they thought he was gods gift to earth just because he was a black man.

I have news for the ignorant yanks: Hamilton isn't special. If he was so special then he would have pulled out a gap to Alonso. Ayrton Senna would have pulled out a 9 or 10 second lead to Alonso before the first pit stop. Alain Prost is one of the greatest drivers of all time, but Ayrton Senna would beat him by over a minute sometimes. Can you ever see Hamilton finishing a race 1 minute ahead of Alonso. No I didn't think so. Hamilton is good but he is no Senna

Answer 1

Perhaps you should give American racing fans a little credit for recognizing a special talent - just like the rest of us, at least those of us who were following the sport long before the Senna and Schumacher era.
Ayrton Senna was a wonderful driver (like you, I first saw him when he tested an F3 car for Eddie Jordan), the best of his era and he didn't start his F1 career in top-class equipment (Toleman and Lotus), but many of us now agree that Lewis Hamilton may prove to be the best ever F1 driver even though it's still early days in his career.

Answer 2

It pays to be black in any white dominated field. If you are black in a white man's game or profession, you will make more money and get more attention, deserving or not. If Hamilton was white Belgian, he would be called a great rookie and not the Next Senna or Schumacher Beater! Because he is black in a global sport, he now has more endorsement potential than any athlete in history.

If Obama was white, I think a lot more people will make the valid point that he has hardly any federal elective experience. If Tiger Woods was white, he would be like almost every other PGA golfer and not be able to earn $100m per year whoring products.

Being black used to be a disadvantage. Now for many public figures, being black gives them appeal they would not have otherwise. I think Americans have a tendency to notice skin color and become vulnerable to blacks in white dominated fields purposely. I think many Americans want the world to think they are more racially tolerant than they really are!

Senna drove a Toleman and beat Prost at the 1984 Monaco GP. Hamilton being compared to Senna after 7 races by the British media or his fans is a jab at Senna. I bet many Hamilton fans have never seen an F1 race before this year and jumped on the bandwagon. To hear these bandwagon fans say Hamilton is the next Senna is pathetic because I think many of them do not know who Senna is.

Answer 3

This is just Hamilton's first F1 season, so of course he is no Senna... not yet. He is an incredibly talented driver, and Alonso should learn the meaning of humility and stop bashing the McLaren team. He'll be lucky if they decide to keep him next year judging by his poor sportsmanship. Alonso should just accept the fact that his teammate is a better F1 driver than him and should work harder instead of complain to the Spanish media. He sounds like another Juan Pablo Montoya -- always complaining about his team and other drivers. No wonder he is 10 points behind Hamilton.

Answer 4

American doesn't know a lot about this sport it's new for them and like any other person who have no background and don't know much about the sport or its history, they will look for the most successful driver to cheer for him. So far Lewis Hamilton has got the best results not to mention that his one of the best on the field at the moment Not to mention his young and he's a Rookie (BTW i agree Hamilton is no Senna or Schumi he's probably a Hakinnen ie good enough to win )

Answer 5

I'm guessing you're an Alonso fan, who's not happy that his rookie teammate is showing him up. The fact that Hamilton is beating his teammate who is older, has more experience, and has already won two consecutive world championships, while driving virtually the same car should prove his worth. Oh yeah and he's English too. Of course the press are going to go wild with his story. However, Americans are not the only ones going crazy over his race. You should ask why we care so much about Danica, who hasn't really proved anything, at least Hamilton can back up his media attention.

Answer 6

Dave have you not seen the UK press coverage? its all about the 'black' in there too. Lewis is good, very good. he has beaten Alonso twice in an evenly matched car. its good that the Americans support him, its good for the sport if there is more interest. Senna was a legend in his own right and I'm sure that when people look back in years to come, Lewis will be remembered with the rest of the great F1 heroes. i for one reckon he will be right up there in the record books and he has my full support - black or not, he is phenomenal

Answer 7

This Yank likes Lewis because he has seven podiums in seven races, yet he seems to be reasonably grounded. Not easy for a 22-year-old. As far as whether he's as good as Senna, Prost, or Schumacher, give him time - he's still a rookie for Pete's sake!
Where the racial issue is concerned, there's no question that he will be getting more attention from the press because of his color. Of course, if he didn't win squat, nobody would be noticing. Unfortunately, we still haven't accomplished M L King's dream of a color blind society.

Answer 8

Yeah, most all americans notice the skin color, but seeing a black man succeeding in a sport dominated by white men, that usually makes everyone pay attention, just like Jackie Robinson when he broke the color barrier in baseball, just like when Tiger Woods entered the PGA.

Maybe in Britian (I dont know the mindset exactly there), it might not matter, but as I had said, it usually catches our attention when something like that happens

Answer 9

Hamilton sucks! There's nothing special about him. Yeah he can drive but he's not the king or a legend or a superhero like some of you have stated in this section! Get real! Who is he compared to Schumacher or Senna? NOTHING! He's just utter rubbish riding high on over rated publicity for no good reason. Enough already about Hamilton.

Answer 10

So this is why the British press are treating Hamilton like the second coming of Jim Clark? His skin color?

What a dweeb question.