In Lewis Hamilton, McLaren have produced a near faultless driver. Few rookie drivers have the confidence to set the pace of the race at the top level however it would seem that eight years in McLaren’s development programs groomed Hamilton well.
Starting on pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hamilton did not even put himself in a position where he could make a mistake. Despite constant pressure from his team’s No 1 driver, Fernando Alonso, Hamilton continued to drive almost perfect lines to secure his second victory of the season at the United States Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s confidence in leading the pack is reminiscent of that of Australian motorcycling great, Mick Doohan. Doohan’s closest rival and fellow Honda rider, Alex Criville, was the opposite; an excellent rider but one who was at his best chasing Doohan, trying to time his passing move at the last possible moment.
The Australian rider was at his best leading from the front, compelled by some burning desire not only to race against his competitors but to race against perfection. Going into the final round of the 1997 Motorcycle Grand Prix Doohan had already won the championship, having won a record 12 out of 14 races. Extending a devastating eight second lead in the dying laps at Phillip Island, Doohan continued to push himself and his bike to the limit when other riders would have sought consolidation.
Whilst the resultant and perhaps inevitable crash that robbed him of a home town victory was unnecessary, the laps leading into it were some of the most inspired riding the competition has ever seen. Even after the bike had all but slipped out from under him, Doohan fought to regain control. This race defined him, not because of his failure but because, but because he refused to accept success on anyone else’s terms but his own.
As Valentino Rossi followed Doohan in two-wheeled racing, Lewis Hamilton now appears set to follow Michael Schumacher on four. Hamilton’s time in the spotlight is yet too short to define him. From the outset he seems technically superb if somewhat conservative. Magnifique mais un peu fade. Perhaps in time he will find it in himself to take on Doohan’s challenge but for now it is more than enough to watch a masterful driver challenge other mere mortals.
[pic via McLaren]
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