lewis hamilton is goodlooking talented and rich no wonder people like to be nasty it so obvious there green with envy. I love Lewis and take no notice of silly people with nothing else to do except find fault take a good look at your self before you judge others.

rachel, london, england

Good luck to the young man, I just hope that his celebrity does not become more important than his driving ability!!

And just a point for Jordi, I assume that you are aware that Renault F1 are based in Oxfordshire, the team that Alonso left to join McLaren and is soon to rejoin, does that make them a British team? he will more than likely have as many British engineers around him as he does at McLaren, he will also have a very competitive team mate in Kovalainen!!

Chris, Weston super Mare, England

Yeah you paid tax in the previous years, but you wern't earning a packet then were you?

Will, Hannover,

Ted,
Obviously you haven't read this blog. It has been mention many times before: It's not the fact of Hamilton moving to switzerland, its the devious reasons he gave. Hamilton said a few times that he is NOT moving for TAX reasons, he said that in Switzerland he will be able to spend more time with his friends and family (is he buying a house for them too?) This is just an insult to our intelligence. Yes, Jenson and David moved too, but they never made up reasons. Is about honesty dear Ted, HONESTY has nothing to do with the colour of your skin. So pathetic to bring the colour issue up.

Funny enough Hamilton appeared in a TV show last night and for the first time he admitted that avoiding taxes was one of the reasons to move. To little too late.

jordi, bournemouth,

Every man and his dog have commented on Lewis Hamilton's move to Switzerland and so I figured, h£ll, why don't I comment also.
So Lewis Hamilton is moving to Switzerland to get some privacy or, apparently to save on his tax bill. Big Deal! I'd do the same if it was me, as would millions of people I know given the opportunity.
What really gets me thinking about the media fixation and vicious criticisms of Lewis Hamilton's move is - Why pick on Lewis? What is it about this dude that give some people sleepless nights and high blood pressure? The guy makes a move that he is LEGALLY entitled to do and he is murdered for it.
And Oh, did I mention that thousands of others before him live in tax heavens; Paula Radcliff (Monaco) David Coultard (Monaco) Jensen Button (Monaco) just to mention a few. But you never hear a word mentioned against them in criticism. What is it about this Lewis Hamilton that makes him different from the others and to draw the wrath of hypocrites and sanctimonious people in this country? ah, maybe its the colour of his skin. That is the only apparent difference and reasonable explanation for most of these vitrol.
Maybe some of us believe that we can dictate to Lewis where to live and what to do just because he is a F1 driver who happens to be British.
Lewis Hamilton is now a Global and Multinational brand and can live wherever he decides to live. And we in Britain should be happy that, as in most good things British, we gave Lewis Hamilton to the rest of the world.
Lewis Hamilton is still British, whether he lives in Monaco or Switzerland.Or would we rather that he remains in his fathers council Estate in Stevenage?

ted, canada, canada

My Peter from Cardiff friend:
My signature will reveal that even though I use a nick that might lead to confusion, I'm Spanish. I just wanted to let you know that all those vitriolic comments (some of them even embarrassing for the average Spaniard) posted by Spanish readers are led by anything but an inferiority complex. If that is your thought and it helps you falling asleep at night I can accept it, but the sad truth is that those comments were boosted by something called rage, and rage is often boosted by injustice.
Had this situation been new it could have been accepted in a differerent way by the Spanish public, but the fact is that a few years ago, the whole country roared in rage when a driver called Carlos Sainz, twice a World Champion with Toyota, underwent the same kind of situation in a British team, with a British teammate. That British teammate was the sadly lost Colin McRae, David Richards the team manager and Subaru Prodrive, the team.

John Butarda, Asturias, Alonso's Kingdom, Spain

And any F1 driver that has no problem about been outperformed is not and will not be a champion.

jordi, bournemouth, uk

Peter, you are the first one guilty of been nationalistic by blaiming only spanish people for been nationalistic.

jordi, bournemouth, uk

well Jordi, there you go again. Did the people who did wrong do wrong just because they were British? Surely, someone who offends does so because of a character flaw, not because of their nationality.

And as far as Alonso goes, I seem to remember that he has always had a problem with being outperformed by a team mate. But that's just part of his character and not because he's Spanish. So come on, you may be correct in your opinions but please please leave out the nationality bit.

peter, cardiff, wales

Peter,
British contribution to F1 is been great. If Spanish fans reacted is because they felt that Alonso was treated unfairly by Mclaren, british press and british fans. You should ask yourself why Alonso was so highly rated before coming to Mclaren (10 millon a year) and now he is the worse villain of the planet.
I don't think Alonso has change, he still the same, and don't give me that rubbish about the spy scandal: the documents were stolen by a british engineer from Ferrari and passed on to a british designer from Mclaren. And the allegations about the threats, well they were just that, allegations from dennis to divert the attention from the fact that Hamilton complained to FIA against his own team. Get a grip guys. The good news are the Alonso is gone, so now you can criticize someone else. Tha.

jordi, bournemouth, uk

I have followed F1 for decades, and although I have delighted in British winners I have also followed and appreciated great drivers of many nationalities.

So it's sad that the vast majority of the blogs from Spanish contributors are so vitriolic towards anyone British in F1.

Certainly it smacks of an inferiority complex, and a lack of appreciation of the skills involved in motor racing regardless of nationality. I for one am quietly proud of the contribution that British talent has made to motor racing, often helping non-British drivers to win. Alonso for one has had much of his great career made possible by British input.

So come on you Spanish F1 fans, less of the sour grapes that were a feature of Alonso's 2007 season.

peter, cardiff, wales

Who said: Why hamilton will win the championship? My question is: Did you learn anything in china and brazil races, cause the master Alonso will not be there anymore. Call somebody else to set up the car!!

jlp27, BARNA, World chamion home

Why would McLaren poach Bishop - he was already doing a great PR job for them as Editor of the rag masquerading as a serious F1 magazine. For years he cried when the fans voted Schumacher as Man of the Year repeatedly. The garbage he wrote as preview of the season, where he confidently predicted a McLaren championship couldn't have been any less objective than a McLaren puff piece. Good riddance, lets hope that once good publication gets someone worthy of the opportunity.

Jenny, Cape Town, RSA

Lewis Hamilton has an impressive natural talent and he does deserve the recognition for that. However this season he was a very good driver in a fast car. There were also other very good drivers in slower cars ie Kubica, Rosberg. Therefore I do beleive Hamiltons success has been overhyped and overshadowed as he was found to be driving an illegal car, not his fault of course. But with all the negative stuff going on he just got on with it and did a great job which was very impressive indeed. The negative stuff aside he has a very bright future and will possibly be a deserving future champion, but this year the best man won.

Cavallino, LONDON, UK

Hi,

Myself and my 14 year old daughter meet Lewis yesterday with his family, he is a kind and time giving person and whatever he decides we both wish him the best of luck, hopefully if the British public can ease off a touch he may reconsider we all would love him to stay, people can only make silly comments if they themselves have been a celeb or in the media for the wrong reasons, Lewis has been in media because of his god given talent which is becoming extremely rear in Britian, don't go Lewis make it work and shut them all up. We Love you geraldine and candice.

g thomas, romford, essex

It comes as absolutely no surprise that Matt Bishop, The Bish to all his fans although I no longer call him that, should become McLaren's Head of PR. I mean, has anyone been reading F1 Racing lately? It's patently obvious the man is biased towards Lewis, and he makes no excuses for it either. In that sense he'd be perfect for McLaren, but his time as editor-in-chief of supposedly the world's best international F1 magazine has certainly come to pass.
I wonder whether Martin Brundle and James Allen were in the shortlist too?

Jenby , Manchester, UK ,

'' everyone is interested in everything Hamilton does all the time – especially if it affects the Great British Public. ''

Actually I'm not.

I couldn't care less what he gets up to when he's not in a race car. I don't profess to know what makes him fast, and I don't know how I possibly could. So what difference does it make where he chooses to live, what he does, where he buys his milk, etc. It just isn't any of my business.

I just want to be entertained by someone giving it a good go, and to have an Englishman winning. Personality is nothing in sport, only winning.

Andrew, London, UK

now i remember why i enjoy going to spain. for lovely holidays and not for race relations advice. hola mis buen amigos espanoles. ?como esta? and all that.

Chris, London,

Tanya and Betty,
Well said, I agree with you.
Perhaps you might consider that this should be applied also to other people, for example... Fernando?
All the best.

El Ponso, Sada, Spain

Right, I agree. It's a good idea for him to move to Switzerland. It's a very calm and quiet country in which he'll be able to learn useful things such as how to properly set up a F1 McLaren (next year he won't be able to "copy and paste" Alonso's settings), advanced courses on how to park an F1 on the gravel (and thereafter return it back to the track with the help of a crane), and even write the second chapter of the fascinationg biography of a 22 year-old whose arrogance has eventually served him well. Just try to leave the last chapter unwritten, Lewis. Just in case.
BTW, if you do intend to learn to cook something worth to be eaten, get a cooking teacher from the south of Europe. I don't mind whether you choose him/her from Italy, Greece, France, Portugal or Spain. Otherwise, there's a good chance that you won't fit into your cockpit next season.

Best regards

John Butarda, Asturias, Alonso's Kingdom, Spain

It makes a change to have a young man who not only is the best but such a nice genuine guy. The press who have hounded him on the Switzerland issue are truly out of step.

Paul Davis, York, uk

I agree with Tanya. Let's not judge him for wanting to escape the media scrum. Most of us don't know what that's like, but it's not hard to imagine, given that pressure and I think I might be tempted to retreat to an igloo in Alaska - with no telly!

Lewis comes over as a friendly, positive and very open guy. If he's a bit naive then, to me, that's a plus. It makes me feel good to see people who are at the top of their game and haven't become cynical.

Gideon, London, UK

John,

Are you sure Lewis can spell? Judging by the fact that he can't tell the yellow button from the green one in his steering wheel, I have my doubts.

Cody, Boise, ID

Oh here we go, I for one do not feel abandoned at all and I am a die hard fan. How many have emigrated form this country? more importantly how many have migrated here? So now in some peoples hypocritical minds Lewis should stay here because he's set to be rolling in it? PULEEEEZE gimme a break I don't understand why people who had no inkling to his existense prior to the last 10 months all of a sudden feel like he's public property for them to have a say in what he does or not. You need to worry about your own problems and leave him alone. He's not the first and certainly won't be the last to escape to a tax haven so give it up already. His true fans will support him either way, it's not like he's killed a kiddie or anything like that on the contrary he's a nice young man ith good values and I hope he doesn't change. Go ahead and win it for the Brits Lewis, doesn't matter where you live you're still a Brit!!!

JR, London, UK

John, London, UK
Perhaps I can spell better than him in Spanish, Portuguese, italian, catalan, French and even english. As far as I know Lewis didn't do very well at school. In fact, how many english people finish school been able to read and write english properly? we all know is a big problem in UK (let alone been able to understand any other language).

And for yourself John, could you contribute in whatever way you want instead of making easy remarks that only demonstrates that you have nothing interesting to say.
You let yourself down John.

Hamilton can move wherever he wants, but he needs to be honest. Too much PR it can be easily mistaken with lying.

All those that bought his PR speeches during the year are the same ones that are now buying his book, so no surprises there.

Regards

jordi, bournemouth,

@chris: Having heard the enthusiastic comments from non British fans before the Brazillian GP I think he is quite popular across the world.

Nicky, London, UK

No one is saying "who is this kid that has to write a book at the tender age of 22". Why? Can he teach us something with his infinite wisdom? Can we learn something from him? I think he takes himself too seriously with his polished image. We haven't seen his true face and I hope I'm wrong on this.

Kose, Sofia, Bulgaria

looks like the media have found somebody else to pick on...the beckhams will be pleased!!

tad, scotland,

So he's escaping from the clutches of Fuhrer Gordon - well who wouldn't? I certrainly would if I had the chance!

Leave the lad alone!

Mike Bibby, St Albans, England -not EU

Publishing an autobiography, after 1 season and no trophy smacks of the arrogance of Hamilton. He's dull and mercenary and has achieved nothing so far. What on earth has he written about, someone stealing his lunch money?

Claire, Henley, UK

lewis is very young and will mature with time as he embraces spotlight on him...give him a break..he is still in the making and your persistence on him could break the youngster.....

concerned welfare, johannesburg, south africa

No doubt Hamilton is the best driver, the most handsome, cunning, funny, extroverted ever existed. Better that a mountain of slice bread.
Sometimes I wonder if he is a reencarnation of the lord. The other drivers are no doubt, devils. Specially that monster from Spain called Alonso. ... and of course the euro currency is responsible for us loosing the championship.

Average brit, Torremolinos, Spain

I also met Lewis (and his Dad) at his book signing yesterday. He was genuinely grateful if a little surprised that so many people were prepared to queue for such a long time to see him. He stayed well past the originally scheduled close to see each and every one of his fans and only reinforced my and others' high esteem of him as a gentleman and sportsman.

You can call what he said about wanting to get out of the public eye in the UK naive, but articles like this and the ridiculous vilification he's received in some quarters of the press, calling into question his integrity, only serve to justify his actions.

He is the first case in a long time of a great British sporting talent who is not only exceptionally gifted but an absolute gent as well - we should be building him up and lauding his attitude as a fantastic example to follow, but all the media want to do is take swipes at every available opportunity. It is pathetic. At least he'll get some peace and quiet in Switzerland.

JM, London, UK

I can't understand why no one is talking about Hamilton's book. Why the interest? Can he teach us something with his infinite wisdom at the tender age of 22? Come on, people... When David Beckham "wrote" his book the media were all over him but when the golden boy does it everyone is praising him. Get a grip

Kose, Sofia, Bulgaria

I am yet to understand why this is any of our business. Let the guy live where he wants - if I had a fraction of his money I'd be off as well.
The odd award show appearance isn't quite the same as having legions of leeching photographers outside your door is it?

Maybe if the tabloids didn't think it their duty to constantly invade everyone famous person's privacy he wouldn't have to?

J. Wilkes, Gloucester,

So... now a good driver is not the faster or the one who can set up his fast better, but the one who knows how to speak...

This is very interesting... So I guess Mclaren is making a huge mistake, why do they choose drivers as Haminton instead of Al Gore? I´m sure he speks much better than him, or why not they put Noemi Campbell? She has everything: she is beautiful she came for a poor family she is british ans moreover she is from a minority... I don´t know if she knows how to speak but I´m sure she will be in advertisment selling cars...


From my point of view, Lewis konws he is not as good driver as others, but he believes that he is better than others selling things and that will be enough... Ecclestone will do the rest...

Jacob, Madrid, Spain

“Lewis Hamilton’s PR juggernaut careers out of control”

I thought that Ed Gorman was Lewis’ PR juggernaut – I hope he’s ok!

And yes, what we need is even more spin from the Hamilton camp. I’ll bet he’s been out performing heart transplants on little babies while Alonso’s been torturing fluffy puppies….

Can we have stories about motor racing please?

Tony, Sheffield,

i met Lewis Hamilton yesterday...what a fantastic guy.....and i got my picture taken with him!!!!...

he is a nice guy...very warm and thanked me for coming...

Peoples!...dont judge that man until u have had ur own personal encounter...forget the media...they are a bunch of die hard must sell people...
....lets give him a chance and continue to love and support him..

he loves us too!

Tanya, Manchester, UK

Hamilton thinks he has "fans around the world" - not so sure. He may have a few Brittish fans who's nationalism is clouding their judgement, but apart from that, he must realise his immense unpopularity.

chris, dubai, uae

I met Lewis Hamilton at his book signing yesterday. What a lovely, kind, charming man. He shook everyone's hand, thanked us for coming and looked us in the eye with such a warm smile. His fans know what a wonderful man he is and don't care where he lives. They were queuing for 8 hours and when I left, they were still queuing. The press love to attack good people. Lucky some people ignore the lies printed in the press and make up their own minds.

Betty Cave, London,

This, is a total non-story. Lewis will and should do whatever he wants, it is none of your or our business whre he lives, although if I were him I'd be escaping too.

And if that's the case why on earth not go to somewhere with lower taxes?

Leave the poor kid alone, you're just jealous, or more likely you have nothing more useful to say.

David, St Albans, UK

Learn to spell Jordi. I bet Lewis can.

John, London, UK

is it just me or this guy, every time he opens his mouth, contradics himself.

-I'm Loyal - He complains gainst his own team.
- I'll stay in UK - I move to switzerland.
- I try my best to make Alonso feel at home - I want Alonso out of Mclaren.
I do the same thing that I did before - is time to experience living on your own (in switzerland).

Hamilton is a young, fast, confident driver and he is also a confused human been.

jordi, bournemouth,

I think most people in the tax industry, or who are advised by their tax lawyers, know that "living in Switzerland" is merely a registration requirement. LH will no doubt spend the bulk of his time at his employer's HQ in Oxford developing next year's car and then on the road with Bernie's circus. Don't be surprised to see him "visiting" his "holiday home" in London for most of the rest of his cram packed schedule. And don't expect him to be queuing up at referendum time, rolling his croutons in raclette and yodelling his St Bernard to "heel" any time soon. Orson Welles' famous comment made sure that the rich and famous tend to avoid the embarrassment of being identified with Europe's quirky hill billies by not actually spending much time with them. Vaud's Cantonal authority is OK with that I suppose and laughs all the way to the bank.

To Pay or Not to Pay, Hong Kong,