Hamilton must resist 'VIP' pitfalls - Lauda
Apr.12 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton can match Sebastian Vettel's achievements, if he learns to resist the "VIP bullsh*t".
That is the typically blunt assessment of legendary triple world champion Niki Lauda, who hailed reigning double champion Vettel as a "very balanced person".
"His head is not disturbed by all this VIP bullsh*t," he is quoted by the Sun. "He is not disturbed at all."
Lewis is as good as Sebastian in terms of pure speed and talent.
In contrast, Hamilton - now at the wheel of arguably the best car for the 2012 season - had a dire campaign last season as his professional and personal lives collided and steered off-track.
"Lewis is as good as Sebastian in terms of pure speed and talent," agreed Lauda, "but sometimes (Hamilton) gets disturbed through his different lifestyle.
"If he gets his head in order again and is not disturbed, then he will be a strong competitor."
Arguably a bigger threat this year will be Jenson Button, the cool-headed 2011 runner-up who last year beat Hamilton in an identical McLaren.
"Jenson was the number two driver in the team but he has done a perfect job," said Lauda.
"He has stayed stable and improved and today it is interesting to see the battle between him and Lewis because that is the strongest lineup in F1."
But if they get a sniff of the championship, their personalities could collide and result in an all-out Alonso-Hamilton style war, warns former F1 driver Johnny Herbert.
"It has the recipe for that to happen," said the former Sauber and Jaguar driver.
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Lewis Hamilton shares first photos with new puppy Halo
Ferrari staff see Michael Schumacher similarities in Lewis Hamilton, says former engineer
Why Charles Leclerc’s battle of the brakes has left him trailing Lewis Hamilton
George Russell still carries scars from 2020 Mercedes F1 call-up
Why Mercedes finds other F1 teams' upgrades "scary" with its out-of-phase plan
The shocking aspect to Kimi Antonelli's rapid F1 title-contending transformation
Formula E London E-Prix: Pascal Wehrlein dominates race one to take championship lead
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's most unforgettable moments at Richmond
DTM Nürburgring: Cairoli takes third win of season as only 12 cars finish
Is GT3 entering ‘the danger zone’?
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments