By Carol M. Creasey
When Lewis Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 after the Bahrain Grand Prix, his hopes of driving in the Sakhir Grand Prix were dashed. Mercedes were able to quickly negotiate with Williams to let George Russell, a driver in their junior drivers’ programme, drive their car.
Not only did George do well in free practice sessions, but he also drove a great race until bad luck overtook him with a bungled pit stop by Mercedes, and then a puncture. Nevertheless he collected his first points ever with a ninth place finish and a point for the fastest lap.
Now the keyboard warriors have come out in force and, sadly, some of them are journalists who should know better. They have ignored the many hurdles that Lewis has overcome to become a seven-time world champion, even suggesting Russell’s performance proves he is not the GOAT.
We all know Mercedes is a fast car, and we all know that Lewis has it because he is currently the best driver, just as Michael Schumacher had Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel had Red Bull. Those were were all dominant cars at the time, and they helped them win their championships.
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But the path to being the very best has not been an easy one for Lewis, like some are suggesting. He missed out on the championship in his rookie year of 2007 by one point, and he was lined up against a double world champion – Fernando Alonso. In 2016 many engine failures meant that he lost out on the title to Rosberg by five points, even though he had won 10 races to Rosberg’s 9.
In 2017, 2018 and, to some degree, 2019, it was clear that Ferrari had also produced a fast car. The car even had one advantage over Mercedes, it could go well on every track, whereas at certain tracks, at high altitudes and in very hot temperatures, Mercedes experienced some issues. However with his knowledge and experience of how to get the best out of his car, Lewis did prevail and beat Vettel, himself a four-time world champion.
This year Lewis has often expressed his disappointment that Ferrari are not up there with him, he loves to fight for wins and he is not afraid to take on a challenge from anyone. If he had been racing against George, I am sure it would have been an exciting race.
But what the keyboard warriors have to remember is that it has taken Lewis years to reach this level and, with all due respect to George, not just one race in the car. Lewis has learned to be at one with his car. He stands apart from anyone in wet weather races, he knows how to nurse his tyres and not overheat his brakes. He is the complete package that has evolved from an eager young boy to an unstoppable champion. He has learned that it is not all about speed, there’s a lot more to it.
After watching George, I am sure he has a brilliant future ahead of him when the time comes, but right now he is still a Williams driver. This is still the Lewis era and, like all his fans, I am hoping he tests negative so he can go to the last race and collect his seventh world championship acclaim on the track.
If he can’t and George races again, even wins, it does not detract from any of Lewis’s incredible achievements. If in 15 years time George has got more championships, then he might become the GOAT. But what big shoes he has to fill!
Be sure to follow Carol on Twitter @eagertogo and visit her website www.carolmcreasey.com!
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