Lewis Hamilton: F1's Douche of The Year

[motion]

Every time I see this guy, I'm liking him less and less. Last year when he rubbed his hand on his balls and then turned around to shake Seb's hand heading to the podium ceremony, I lost most of my respect for him. Then, after Sunday's Russian GP, he completely disses Putin and the other dignitaries present in the cool off room so he can do his usual primping with his hair before the podium ceremony. Just who the hell does this guy think he is? What a pompous ass. He can drive, for sure, but he has zero class.

[Heel n Toe]

The "over attention" with the hair every time he's about to go on the podium is enough for me to think of him as a total d-bag narcissist... add to that any whining and pouting if things don't go his way on the track, and yeah, I agree with you.

He would not be a guy I'd want to hang with... and he does nothing but put forth a prima donna image that does not help the sport in any way.

[Cajundaddy]

No longer a fan. His first year with McLaren he drove brilliantly and made Alonzo look second rate. Won a championship with his driving skill and his head swelled to the size of Jupiter. Airhead has not deflated since and he is a mix of extraordinary driving skill and azzwipe behavior. I'm over it.

[ZAMIRZ]

I'm not a Hamilton fan, but saw it a completely different way.

Up to that point, he had nothing but nice things to say about the track, the fans and Russia in general. It looked to me like he was just going through his post-race routine and making sure he looked presentable before going out in front of the world.

It seemed like Putin was also trying to throw his weight around by showing up right before the race ended and then coming in the cool-off room.

[livi]

Agreed. He is a pompous twat. Although dissing Putin is in my book a nice statement from a political Point of view. He probably had to run for the border after the ceremony though..

[ted]

According to the Kolner Express tabloid, F1 legend Niki Lauda raised an eyebrow in Russia when he spotted Lewis Hamilton's latest accessory -- an enormous gold chain.

The championship leader reportedly told his Mercedes boss: "It's all gold and weighs a kilogram!" Express claims the jewellery cost Hamilton EUR 45,000.

Niki Lauda said: "We have one normal driver, and one who is a bit different."
http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/172086/f1-hamilton-golden-chain-inline.jpg

[GH85Carrera]

Mr. T will be soooooo jealous!

Next he will need a Corvettet to match that chain.

That thing cost him an hour or so of income.

[sammyg2]

Hambone = massengill.
IMHO.

[cairns]

Cut him a break. We all don't conform to society's norms and it's refreshing to see a driver step out of the corporate mold. That guy's had 20 years plus of unrelenting authority (first his father and then Ron Dennis) and now he's free.

Mark Hughes column on him from the last Motorsport described him very well...he works his *ss off BTW.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Mr. T will be soooooo jealous!

Next he will need a Corvettet to match that chain.

That thing cost him an hour or so of income.

Or a slant-nose Turbo.

[9dreizig]

Originally Posted by livi

Agreed. He is a pompous twat. Although dissing Putin is in my book a nice statement from a political Point of view. He probably had to run for the border after the ceremony though..

bumping because it's not often that a Fluffer calls out a "pompous twat" ..

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by cairns

Cut him a break. We all don't conform to society's norms and it's refreshing to see a driver step out of the corporate mold. That guy's had 20 years plus of unrelenting authority (first his father and then Ron Dennis) and now he's free.

Mark Hughes column on him from the last Motorsport described him very well...he works his *ss off BTW.

So ... yer sayin he's a douche but it's OK to be a douche?

[GH85Carrera]

He is a hard working talented douche.

[ThomO]

He reminds me of someone I would have slammed into the lockers in High school just because.

[joe payne]

I can respect the guys driving skills but, leave the "NBA" look to the other playa's!

[bell]

I call that a Mr.T starter kit. .....next he needs the Mohawk lol

[livi]

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

bumping because it's not often that a Fluffer calls out a "pompous twat" ..

Thanks! No, and I am almost ashamed of myself. Such language!

[flipper35]

Maybe he is getting ready for his NASCAR debut.

[techweenie]

Is this F1 or NASCAR? I could care less about a driver's comportment off the track. The guy is a hell of a driver and he's hooked up with a team building and supporting cars that don't break under him. He's a lucky SOB living the life any of us would kill for.

I have to admit I would not feel bad if Hamilton and Rosberg had a small (non injury) shunt and gave the other teams a chance at the podium.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by cairns

Cut him a break. We all don't conform to society's norms and it's refreshing to see a driver step out of the corporate mold. That guy's had 20 years plus of unrelenting authority (first his father and then Ron Dennis) and now he's free.

Mark Hughes column on him from the last Motorsport described him very well...he works his *ss off BTW.

^^^ this

Basically people are criticizing his style - which is fine, but he likely doesn't care for your style either. As far as I can tell, he hasn't been arrested for drunk driving or beating his girlfriend or steroid abuse so he's ahead of many other professional athletes. He also appears to have an excellent work ethic.

Self-absorbed? Sure - that's part of how you get to that level and perform. Douche? I guess compared to some, but again, what behaviors really rub you the wrong way? Seems that vanity is his main flaw, which in the grand scheme of things maybe isn't the worst offense to society.