The Daily Heil

The last two weeks have showcased all that is best about Lewis Hamilton. He has driven supremely well, gaining the congratulations of the man he hopes to emulate as a triple world champion, Sir Jackie Stewart.

But seeing the two men on the podium – one as the winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the other conducting the post-race interviews – was a reminder of what differentiates them as individuals as well as what binds them together as exceptional grand prix drivers.

Hamilton could do considerably worse than learn a few things from and about Sir Jackie.

Lewis probably will not want to hear it, judging by how he has previously dismissed Stewart’s opinions, honestly given when sought as a pundit who speaks with all the authority of the most successful British Formula One driver in history. Hamilton said grouchily, that he was disappointed ex-drivers were not being more supportive, as if blind adoration was his birthright.

Here are just a few reasons why Hamilton should listen to Sir Jackie. He drove in an era when a driver racing for five years had a two in three chance of dying. He changed that through tireless campaigning for safety measures to save not only drivers but spectators from preventable injuries.

And then there is his charitable work for a children’s club in the east end of London, for mechanics fallen on hard times, and dyslexia societies. There is also his considerable contribution to British industry over more than 40 years. A perfectionist, he will quietly remove a hair of your lapel as he speaks to you. He is not without ego, but conducts himself with decorum.


STEWART vs HAMILTON
STEWART HAMILTON
Races 99 152
Wins 27 36
Pole Positions 17 42
Fastest laps 15 22
Titles 3 2
Win percentage 27% 24%


I wish Hamilton could show a little bit humility towards the past. That he could see that Formula One history did not start with Ayrton Senna. If he could start to appreciate some of the wider picture he might find himself more widely liked. He might not spray champagne into the face of a girl on the podium as he did in China last week – hardly a hanging offence but, given that she could not respond, an inconsiderate act and an ungallant one.

Sir Jackie Stewart and Lewis Hamilton have never been the closest of acquaintances, but after his victory here under the lights the Scot took Hamilton to one side and told him it was a just a matter of time before he matched his mark of three Formula One titles.
If Hamilton’s superlative performance – his third victory of the year, and his ninth in the past 11 races – has converted Stewart, then he must be doing something right.

Remember, when Stewart and Sir Stirling Moss criticised Hamilton’s move from McLaren to Mercedes, the 30-year-old replied: “They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

Hamilton has become used to receiving some disparaging comments from Stewart, but he resisted the temptation say ‘I told you so’ here, and was genuinely pleased to have received the compliment from the legend of the sport, who conducted proceedings on the podium. “It’s always positive to have other real champions appreciate what you do,” Hamilton said on Monday night. “Afterwards he was talking to me – he saw my Men’s Health cover – and he said, ‘How much do you weigh?!’ It was really positive.

“He always talks about catching him. He said, ‘You’re going to catch me, but I’m fine with it.’ ”
No one seems capable of doing much to stop Hamilton equalling the 75-year-old’s British record of three titles.

Nico Rosberg gets better of Lewis Hamilton after mistake from Brit in Bahrain Grand Prix second practice

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were 15th and 16th in FP1
They came to the fore in FP1, finishing first and second respectively
Hamilton was faster than Rosberg in sectors one and two, but a lock-up in sector three cost him four tenths of a second
Sebastian Vettel had problems throughout the day, and his car was clipped by Sergio Perez in FP2, ripping off his front-wing endplate on the left side

A small mistake from Lewis Hamilton allowed Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to gain the upper hand in second practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

To some extent the duo took it easy in FP1 as the team focused on a particular plan given the session was hardly representative of what all the drivers will face in qualifying and the race.

Come the start, and with the track exceptionally dusty given its desert setting and which will naturally improve over the weekend with use, the circuit and air temperatures were a searing 52 and 36 degrees centigrade respectively.

Lewis Hamilton insists 'I'll do my talking on the track' as...