'The point here is that Schumacher may have won a lot (with next to no competition and the best car on the grid by a country mile), but he was hugely flawed, and - I don't mind saying it - an unsporting cheat. But Schumacher-ites such as yourself will never see that. '

The old school racing, where Schumacher would bump drivers coming out of the pits, or encourage crashes - like he did with Hill - was much more exciting than anything today. Now it's just cars going around the track; so I salute the occasional shunts of the past.

As for Hamilton being calm, it looks more like he's just too nervous to speak. He has been in the press conference for every race, so his first time talking was on the podium. He will be asked about Alonso's questions, and he will have to cook up a response. And sooner or later he is going to have to respond to a shunt with another driver; after a few of these you will see a drivers true nature. Although I think he will probably remain calm and forgiving.

Keldon Alleyne, London, England

As with all British bred sportmen the media look to criticise and torment them until they do something wrong or act badly, then its the whole "we told you so" rubbish. This is just another Gazza, Beckham, Bruno and Harison scenario.

The words of Alonso have been taken completely out of context and re-used to suit medio mediocrousy. This guy is the best thing to happen to UK Motorsport and Forumla 1, leave him alone to do his job.

Craig Cleaver, Manchester, UK

I hope above hope that the young may will remain so.
Alas, as Dr Johnson once remarked, "That is (probably) a truimph of hope over experience".

Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK

Ola K:

'But thenn you are English and it sticks in the throat for an englishman to acknowledge success other than his own!'

Not sure if I'm reading the article correctly, but it would appear Simon is acknowledging Senna to be the benchmark against whom all others are measured - which COULD be interpreted as acknowledging Senna's success. Now, my memory is a little fuzzy, but I'm sure Senna was Brazilian, not British? The point here is that Schumacher may have won a lot (with next to no competition and the best car on the grid by a country mile), but he was hugely flawed, and - I don't mind saying it - an unsporting cheat. But Schumacher-ites such as yourself will never see that.

Hamilton is showing brilliance and calm confidence that is very reminiscent of Senna - however he'd have to bash a few of his competitors off the track or maybe park his car across the main straight at Indy to be worthy of a comparison to Schumacher...

Greg H, London,

Yes - F1 is not a sport. Move it out of the sport section please!

Also - Whoever has the best car wins. How is that remotely competitive???? If Hamilton was driving a rubbish car you would never have heard of him and you would not be writing this. As an experiment -take the worst ranked driver and swap cars with Hamilton. What's the bet Hamilton would be worst ranked and the worst ranked would then be top.

Matt S, London,

Mr Barnes also fails to note a certain Bjorn Borg, who pretty much exuded calmness and serenity extremus during his reign of magnificence between 1976 and 1980. A short but extraodinary tenure of pure, un-earthly skill, temperament and sheer superiority in a sport. Lets be a little more humble when comparing young Hamilton with such platitudes, shall we? Borg was the god of serenity and sheer winningness, on clay and grass. 6 times at Paris, and 5 times at SW19.

colin bowley, London, uk

"I think Hamilton is another Ayrton, a flash of brilliance but little to offer long term."

Sorry, Robert? I know F1 is less popular in the States, but surely you guys remember the impact Senna made over his 10 full GP seasons?

Great article Simon. We're lucky to be witnessing the emergence of someone who will surely become one of the top-five GP greats.

Dom Waters, Newbury, UK

All these enthusiasm from the British press is understandable as it's been such a long time without England having a F1 champ, but this euphoria may not help Hamilton in the long run.

By the way, Hamilton is a good rider but one wonders who is the one that feeds the horse?

I suspect Dennis hired Alonso for such a job, didn't he?

J. Daben, Wharton, New Jersey, USA

Surely, Robert, the reason that Ayrton Senna offered little long term was that he was killed. Though not before he had won 3 world championships. Ironically, his legacy lives on in the safety standards that were improved following his death. It's fair to say that Kubica is alive today because Senna died.

Simon, Shuwaikh, Kuwait

What do you expect is driving one of the best two cars?. Is doing a good job and is talented, but we having seen nothing special. The was no fight between the first cars, because Hamilton's car is more faster than the german. He was lucky that he enter in the box before the safety car. In other case he would be in the same situacion that Alonso, with out gasoline and penalty. The only who does something diferent is Fernando. He tried to past Felipe in Barcelona, and he do the same in Canada. Will see when hamilton is in trouble.

Carlos Somoza, Isla de Arosa/Spain, Spain

F1 isn't a sport

Tom, York,

an,excellent article , that just , hits the nail on the head .
the only difference in his armchair and mine watching ,
was at time his hitting 300klicks .
composure well beyond the normal .
great article .

sutto, leysin , swizerland

In answer to Garth Williams' question: "BTW is it true that Lewis is the only person to have ever beaten Mr. Schumacher at the latter's own go-kart track?"

No, it isn't. They competed against each other in 2001 in the karts World Championship. Schumacher was 2nd (making his way up from behind) and Lewis 7th. Nico Rosberg was 3rd that day.

Suzanne, Miskolc, Hungary

What an amazing talent Lewis Hamilton is, there is still 11 races to go and at the end of it, all the doubters and sceptics esp those from spain will no longer doubt him. Good luck for the rest of the season Lewis, Britain is proud of you.

Sean Leonard, Battersea, London, United Kingdom

Hamilton is very good and thik has a very promising future but what it seems to me very bad that the english press lacks the respect to ALONSO. Now they will not say that the equipment did not help Lewis.
In my country it is said: Who laughs last, laughs better.

Sajo, Tenerife, España

You said:

"I have seen this serenity, this extraordinary sense of composure, very, very rarely. Perhaps in Tiger Woods, certainly in Roger Federer, when he is not playing Rafael Nadal on clay".

You have to think where Rafa Nadal is from and you will find out a similar opossition to Lewis. His name is not other than Fernando.

I think you are talking too much and I am sure it is not the best way to help Lewis.

You shoul have more respect to Alonso who is man who takes the most risk in this sport which makes this sport a real entertainment.

Andrew, London,

I am loving every moment of this young man's success and wish him well in his carrer.

I was a bit suprised that in the F1 you failed to mention the undisputably greatest racing driver that has ever competed inthe history of F1, the one and only Michael Schumacher. But thenn you are English and it sticks in the throat for an englishman to acknowledge success other than his own! Pity, had you done this, this would have been a balanced and unbiased article.

O K
London

Ola K, London, UK

I take exception to Mr. Leslie's judgement of Ayrton Senna. His career was prematurely cut-short by an errant piece of suspension in an accident not dissimilar Kubica's yesterday.

Not sure on what basis Mr. Leslie is basing his supposition concerning Lewis' longevity. Perhaps he should review some of dispatches from journalists re Mr. Woods circa 1994. Those that had similar thoughts concerning Tiger have been continuosly consuming humble pie since. The parallels are uncanny: in the public eye since childhood, strong family support, patriarchal training, champion at all intermediate levels of his sport, and of course black in what was essentially an all white sport.

Concerning my last point I am glad that we as a society and hopefully as a planet appear to have moved on to the point where it no longer appears to be an issue.

BTW is it true that Lewis is the only person to have ever beaten Mr. Schumacher at the latter's own go-kart track?

Garth Williams, Dubai, UAE

Lewis Hamilton is a "God Send".

His Holy Trinity is the fastest lap in qualifying, pole position on the grid and the win.

...and what he is about to receive, may the Lord make him truly thankful - Amen.

Jason Walker, Oxford, UK

In the first place I want to request excuses by my badly English. I´m a Spanish mad of F-1. I believe that Hamilton will be in the future champion of F-1 because he is a very good driver. But I think that the english press aren´t respect Alonso, that he is 2 times champion of the world.
I understand your admiration towards Hamilton but you must respect a one of the best drivers of the championship, and not to lose the journalistic objectivity.
Because in Monaco Alonso was better than Hamilton according to the times. You know that Hamilton doesn´t know to prepare well the car Fridays, and that is Alonso the one who prepares it. ALONSO FOREVER!!!

Alberto, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

You can say what you want, but nowadays Alonso is the best driver in F1. And it is important to say that he did not started with such a good car like McLaren Mercedes is, he started with a Minardi . And remember that when he won his first race he was driving a Renault, and there were better cars that year, such as Ferrari, Mercedes or BMW. I completely trust in Fernando, he will show what he can do

Sergio Edesa, Valladolid, Spain

Robert (Florida),

MS had one advantage over Senna and Hamilton and just about any of the truly great champions; the magic carpet of no competition from his own team mates including two who were on occassion required to move over for him (Irvine and Barrichelo) Senna had Prost !

When you have significantly the most competitive car, the only challenge you really face is your team mate. Two of his championships were very dubious 94 / 95 in a Beneton widely accepted by many (now) to have been using illegal aids. Rememer the traction control controversy / fuel filter controversy / Silvertstone '95 controversy. Also, his sportmanship (?) Hill '94 / Villeneuve '97 / even Monaco 2006 quali? We could go on. No doubt MS a talented driver, but his record would not look anything like it does today if Senna had not been lost and for some - always tainted.

To suggest that Senna was a 'flash' - 3 championships, 41 wins and 65 poles from 162 GP against Prost Mansell and Piquet ??

Dean, London, UK

lucky maiden win, i would say
congratulations to lewis but this race was a lottery

alonso tryed push and fight for the win,while others would keep his position for the points.

did u see lewis taking ANY risk on the race,no he took them all in monaco an LOSE.

Why taking them being on the pole?

polesitters has won every race from the start
the only one that has won a race this year being not on pole is fernado because he accepted the risks...and thats a champion to my eyes.

kojikabuto, marbella,

Simon Barnes is God! I love the way he writes. I've been quietly watching Hamilton unravel his mastery - perhaps he is an artist and not just a driver.

Let Simon Barnes tell us more tales and only he (Barnes) can do justice to this little magician in the making.

Anwar Khan, Dubai, UAE

.......another Ayrton, a flash of brilliance but little to offer long term.

Three championships, 41 wins. Could this lack (?) of long term success have anything to do with the fact that he died at the wheel, aged 34?

Colin G, Doha, Qatar

I set the alarm for 4.55am here in New Zealand so I could watch this and wasn't disappointed. It was a pretty interesting race too!
I hope young Hamilton maintains his apparent sense of modest self-confidence. his Dad and brother seem to keep him grounded.
I know McLaren are a long way removed from their founder but I suspect Bruce (and his old team mate and fellow Kiwi and 1967 WC, Denny Hulme) will be having a quiet beer for Lewis today.
Ayrton and Gilles are probably in the same bar in heaven...

GRS, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Only a mirage, Fernando Alonso Number 1

Ragnarok, bristol,

I watched yesterday's Canadian GP and was struck by my lack of emotion at Hamilton's victory. I put this down to the fact that it all seemed so expected. Off the line without problem - his two times world champion team-mate making the mistakes - followed by a faultless drive and a clinical victory. I believe Hamilton to be closer to Schumacher than Senna. Senna was far more cerebral and won poles, races and championships with the aura of other worldliness. Schumacher just did it. So, I believe it will be with Hamilton. Just a part of being a racing driver. Simon Barnes is spot-on. Whether Lewis Hamilton will ever make my pulse race like it did whenever Senna got into a racing car is quite another matter. It rarely happened with M. Schumacher, but then, I never expected anything extraordinary - only for him to win.

Colin Smedley, London, UK

"I think Hamilton is another Ayrton, a flash of brilliance but little to offer long term. "


I think you'll find the fact that Ayrton Senna was killed had something to do with his lack of longevity.

For my money Hamilton will be the real deal.

Evelyn Green, Kettering, UK

Beautifully expressed article. However, colleagues around me refuse to acknowledge his achievements on the grounds that F1 is not a sport.

Surely F1 is a sport and we should support Lewis. Do we have to find a reason to knock our best sportsmen?

Kevin Price, Hyde, Cheshire

Hamiltons immediate success is really amazing, I suppose your view is you are watching a superstar like Ayrton emerge. Give it a little more time before you anoint the King. I want to see him do all the things he is capable of, but you need to recall we just lost the King, Michael was not so immediately successful but just look at the stats for Michael, and the success.

It will be a long day before we ever see anyone of the MS stature. And I wish his brother would just go away. He takes away from the MS image.

I think Hamilton is another Ayrton, a flash of brilliance but little to offer long term.

Good wishes and congratulations to Lewis.

Robert d leslie, Lakeland , Florida