Hamilton walks on water - or does he?

[alchemy]

Lewis Hamilton is a superb racing driver. But as far as I’m aware he cannot walk on water. What I saw on BBC’s Top Gear was the equivalent of that! We saw Hamilton, on a wet track do a rather scrappy lap, which looked to be somewhere around Mark Webber’s wet time at best. Then Jeremy announced it to be equal to (the very smooth) Jenson Button’s dry time and only .03 secs. slower than the Stigs time also in the dry! Smoke and mirrors stuff surely?

[Kai]

Yeah, saw it too. Cool episode.

When you think about it, it seems kind of unlikely. I'd like to think it's true simply because I'd hope that Top Gear wouldn't do something like that.

[quantic]

I thought i saw on the credits that James Allen was doing the stopwatch..

[rpj]

Lets hope Mr Clarkson reads this forum and can post a reply?

[Gt_R]

Cool stuff ain't it?

It's always good to hear stories about drivers doing amazing things, and i'm not too keen on the comparison between Hamilton vs Stig, but that how Hamilton compared to other F1 drivers and setting better times in the wet.

Soon, we'd start hearing rumours of Hamilton racing in DTM or WTCC or something!

A talented driver is one who can drive strongly in anything with 4 wheels and a motor, and always push to achieve the most out of it.

Even when he's just having fun.

[sonic]

Its impossible to visually judge a lap of that track as they only have one camera (apart from the in car and fixed trackside ones) which has to film at different parts of the track whilst the driver does a series of laps - so you never actually see 'the' lap.

But yeah - faster on a wet / greasy track than button was on a dry one? In an identical standard saloon car? Two words:

NO. WAY.

Something not right there.

Either Lewis had a 'proper' set of tyres on or Chevrolet is churning out cars with massive variations in performance. or they were lying.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by alchemy

and only .03 secs.

They only work to the nearest tenth on TG. Was it 0.3s?

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by alchemy

We saw Hamilton, on a wet track do a rather scrappy lap

Makes you wonder what a tidy lap would have been - and what he might achieve in the dry! I look forward to it.

I guess the only way to satisfy some critics would be to have a Ferrari driver try the same thing on the same day in the same car - with independent, profesional timing.

[Gt_R]

I'd be amazed if anyone took this comparison as serious means to evaluate a driver's capability!

I can still recall some grunts made when Heikki won the ROC ahead of MS, or when MS lost a race against a fighter jet.

It's all in the name of good fun, and we should just have more of it without placing too much emphasis on the result.

Or will someone come along and claim that all those F1 drivers who lost to the Stig should retire?

[jonbryant]

let us not forget that the other times were set in the old Liana. And Lewis' was done in the "faster" Lacetti.

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by Gt_R

I'd be amazed if anyone took this comparison as serious means to evaluate a driver's capability!

Of course not - it's just a bit of fun. Just like the GP drivers kart race they used to have once a year - maybe still do?

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by jonbryant

let us not forget that the other times were set in the old Liana. And Lewis' was done in the "faster" Lacetti.

I thought it WAS in the Liana.

[Roddas123]

Originally Posted by jonbryant

let us not forget that the other times were set in the old Liana. And Lewis' was done in the "faster" Lacetti.

I think that I am right in saying Lewis drove the old Liana like the others.... As for 'fudging' his time, I don't think that they would be allowed to. Especially in light of all of the current TV issues regarding honesty.

I think we just might have to admit - 'the kid's quick!'.

[Ralf's Girl]

I think this is being overanalysed just a bit too much. I can't see why anybody would feel the need to alter the time - at the end of the day this is Top Gear, not a Grand Prix. Perhaps he was just rather quick...

[Hungary 89]

It's certainly possible, Remember the Legend of Gilles Villeneuve circulating
11 seconds a lap faster than the next fastest person during a wet practice once. (I must admit I have since heard this was actually a Lie embelished through Chinese whispers Gilles was infact only 9 seconds a lap faster )

Either way Lewis' performance was astonishing

[Lord Summerisle]

the lap is on a certain video hosting site now.

and yip - tis the old Liana - theres no gold Chevrolet badge on the front.

[matchfacts]

The Liana was brought out of retirement specifically for comparison to the other F1 "stars".

I don't believe the bbc would risk not giving a genuine time at the moment - that would be like naming a Blue Peter cat something other than the winning name in a phone vote!

When Button did his lap, Clarkson asked him about the different lines he took to Stig's recommendations to the stars. Button commented ". . well Stig obviously isn't a F1 driver is he?" How did Button's lines compare to Hamilton's?

[LYNX]

As Top Gear is aimed at prepubescent schoolboys and the presenters act accordingly, I really don't think anything out of that program can be taken seriously.

[alchemy]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

They only work to the nearest tenth on TG. Was it 0.3s?

Apologies and congratulations AdamAshmore you are correct. The last time I was wrong was in 1975 I think!

[garcon]

It was in the old Liana, but it did cross my mind that it may not have been the same Liana that some of the others used - they've managed to wreck a couple of them. So who knows, maybe it's a few tenths quicker?

I don't think there's anything underhand going on here ... just a great lap from Lewis. I know these F1 guys are competitive and all, but I really don't think they've all taken it that seriously.

Hamilton's line in turn 1 was closer to the Stig's apparently.

Be interesting to see if they let him come back for a dry run!

[clioracer]

Originally Posted by alchemy

Lewis Hamilton is a superb racing driver. But as far as I’m aware he cannot walk on water. What I saw on BBC’s Top Gear was the equivalent of that! We saw Hamilton, on a wet track do a rather scrappy lap, which looked to be somewhere around Mark Webber’s wet time at best. Then Jeremy announced it to be equal to (the very smooth) Jenson Button’s dry time and only .03 secs. slower than the Stigs time also in the dry! Smoke and mirrors stuff surely?

You don`t seem to "like" him then?
I find this Hamilton mania amusing and a little familiar, bring him back in the summer i say!
watch the re-run tonight...or tomorrow........ Fair and square!

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by LYNX

As Top Gear is aimed at prepubescent schoolboys and the presenters act accordingly, I really don't think anything out of that program can be taken seriously.

Well, I'm not a prepubescent school boy, neither is my partner, and neither are any of the people I work with, or talk to, and they all think this programme is a right laugh - certainly better than some of the so called comedy progs we get on TV nowadays.

Whilst it's not all serious, it does have its moments, and I certainly wouldn't tar it with the brush you are wielding!!

As to the lap - very impressive indeed (but I'm sure all the Hamilton haters will think it a setup - I'm not sure it's actually possible to do anything to prove Hamilton is a gifted driver to these people). As was the section with Richard Hammond driving an F1 car. That should get a few people thinking...all those who say how hard can it be....!!!

I even enjoyed the interview with James Blunt (His parrots a ****)!!

James

[clioracer]

Originally Posted by sonic

Its impossible to visually judge a lap of that track as they only have one camera (apart from the in car and fixed trackside ones) which has to film at different parts of the track whilst the driver does a series of laps - so you never actually see 'the' lap.

But yeah - faster on a wet / greasy track than button was on a dry one? In an identical standard saloon car? Two words:

NO. WAY.

Something not right there.

Either Lewis had a 'proper' set of tyres on or Chevrolet is churning out cars with massive variations in performance. or they were lying.

[clioracer]

Originally Posted by JamesH

Well, I'm not a prepubescent school boy, neither is my partner, and neither are any of the people I work with, or talk to, and they all think this programme is a right laugh - certainly better than some of the so called comedy progs we get on TV nowadays.

Whilst it's not all serious, it does have its moments, and I certainly wouldn't tar it with the brush you are wielding!!

As to the lap - very impressive indeed (but I'm sure all the Hamilton haters will think it a setup - I'm not sure it's actually possible to do anything to prove Hamilton is a gifted driver to these people). As was the section with Richard Hammond driving an F1 car. That should get a few people thinking...all those who say how hard can it be....!!!

I even enjoyed the interview with James Blunt (His parrots a ****)!!

James

Here Here!

[alchemy]

Originally Posted by Roddas123

I think we just might have to admit - 'the kid's quick!'.

Sorry mate, but your naivety is showing! We are not talking about Hamilton against some up and coming club drivers. The likes of Button and co are up there – trust me. He didn’t just cream them..... he pulverised them. And that kind of superiority DOESN’T HAPPEN. Fishy, fishy, fishy!