To all those that keep on saying "Hamilton beat Alonso last year, he was better driver etc" Hamilton has NEVER been better than Alonso, Maclaren sabotaged Alonso so Hamilton could have the advantage and win. Still LH blew it. Maclaren could have won but it has terrible management.

F. H. Adame, Clayton California, USA

Last year Hamilton was driving a Ferrari and Alonso was setting it up. This year he has just got the tabloids and the free Underground litter. A $20 million investment is not to be lightly discarded. But I think McL should throw PC to the wind, use Kovalaure this year and sign Kubica for next year

Marco Borg, London , United Kingdom

I think it is too early in Hamilton's career to characterize him as either the second coming of Senna or a lucky media sensation. In recent history, McLaren simply have not been able to put together a top shelf car for two consecutive years. The season is young, but McLaren might be in trouble.

Toby, Lexington,

Again, I come back to Ron Dennis' words earlier in the season - "Only at Barcelona will we see the true McLaren"
Sorry for the para-phrasing but, it looks like MM have slipped back a few notches. Perhaps they are running fuel heavy, but I doubt it. Looks like a probable Ferrari win.

Bob, Cincinnati, USA

The scoffers and scorners are clearly so anxious to lay all the blame at Hamilton's door that they seem to have forgotten about the very experienced engineers and long-term test driver de la Rosa, who are also involved in car setup.

Janice Roxburgh, Glasgow, Scotland

hamilton ... how many mistakes? I´ve lost the count

Teresa, Málaga, Spain

I guess there isn't Alonso to help poor Hamilton this year.

Joe, Leo, Canada

1st: i dont like Alonso at all, but i have to admitt he is the best F1 pilot in the present and has been for 4-5 years. hamilton might be fast if given a great car, but he is uncapable of achieving that car by himself, with Alonso gonne, there will be no evolution in the mclaren,

Miguel Rochac, San Salvador, El Salvador

Hamilton is proving he is a super simulator driver, nothing more. Last year, Alonso put McLaren back on the cahmpionship fight and abruptally Ron Dennis decided to copy Alonso's adjustments to Lewis's car. This year Alonso drives Renault back while Lewis drive simulators

Renato Gonzalez, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Sorry Mr. Gorman, Lewis has a lot to do to get even close to Schumi - excellent, but media and market conveniently inflated - I doubt he can be place anywhere near Senna - real king of the track, so far -. I guess somehow the media and market need a soft landing after putting him in the skies.

Marco Benitez, Barqusimeto, Venezuela

Hamilton is nothing but a "sporting broiler"...mc laren should have invested in a proper driver, like jenson button, if they want to have a english champion. In matter of fact hamilton has been twice in three races behind his much more able team mate.

Arto, B.O.A, UK

Whilst its not quite the time to be calling Hamilton one of the best drivers ever, I think motorsport commentators need to get some perspective and realise that the Mclaren driver's season only looks disappointing in comparison to his incredible year last season. Give the guy a chance!

Peter Harrington, London, UK

Last race not only was the button. Thas was bad, but when he really lost the opportunity to win was crashing Alonso's car.
It's too soon to say something, but it seems like the car last year works because:
A-Alonso is better, in general, than Hamilton(setting the car, no wrong buttons)
B-spy scandal

pedro ibars, zaragoza, spain

Almost all the comments which are posted are negative ones for HAMILTON, its as if you guys are writing off as he has made a mistake in Bahrain. Well the guy is a fighter it is easy to see how he beat ALONSO in his rookie year. HAMILTON will prove you all wrong when the season goes by.

JOS, NANCY, FRANCE

As it was with Damon, Lewis is proving he has not the strength nor the talent to push a whole team for the victoy. If the car`s the best, he may do a proper job (not always). If the car is not the best, battle is lost because he is not able to improve it. Evolution is threatened.

Captain Sparrow, bilbao, spain

Those of us that LAST year noted that Hamilton, whilst politically trashing Alonso , had reaped the benefits of the back to back world champs skills are gratified, if amused , by the new realisations of people that Alonso was a significant reason for Hamiltons,partially ,unfairly gained succes

alan burden, mijas pueblo, España

Lewis Hamilton one of the greatest drivers of all time ? Not sure about that, but one of the greatest chokers definitely. Soon enough he will be blaming McLaren for his mediocrity and shopping himself about the paddock - Super Aguri here he comes !!

Steven, Sydney,

No wonder Hamilton is finding it tough as he is not driving a Ferrari this year.

Chris Jackson, London,

Is this not just another example of the British press playing "Doubting Thomas" after Hamilton suffers a set back?
Lewis Hamilton is not only one of the greatest drivers of all time,but has put Formula one firmly back on track after the dreary characterless Michael Schumacher and sulky Alonso.

James Currie, Marbella, Spain

Now Lewis is in the bunch. Another Button in the pit!


What a mistake for Ron to allow newspapers to manage the team in 2007. This team get they deserve.

victor, jerez, spain

The problem lies with Dennis. He does not know how to manage his drivers and last year Alonso could have won the world title but Dennis chose to back up Hamilton instead. Hamilton has to prove that he does not need Alonso. Alonso does not have to prove anything.

Maria J. Perez
London

MARIA JESUS PEREZ, london, united kigndon

You doing a great job trying to justfy Hamilton's bad mood:
Great drivers need to win or their lifes become a misery.

But last year was; Alonso is trowing his toys out of the pram.

jr, bournemouth,

Hamilton acknowledged that he found difficulties in setting up the balance of his car on Friday. Alonso is not around for him to copy from. Let's face it, McLaren this year doesn't have Alonso's input to maximise their cars, and Hamilton is simply not good enough. This Hamilton's hype is overdone.

Dr Leong, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Bother. And not a chance of jumping to Renault at this point, needless to say.

Fie unto Fate, fickle filly. Enzo's lass e'er thou wert.

GFehr, Blanco,

Good article, well informed and not over-opinionated

Garry, Castlethorpe, UK

Edward, last season McLaren and Hamilton had a two time World Champion set the car up. Did you really think Hamilton set his own car up? If you did, you now know and can in fact see, how little Hamilton knows about an F1 car and it's set up. He lucked in, in Australia with last years settings.

R. P. Dixon., London,

Well, it sounds that last year Maclaren relied on their Ferrari 'inside' informant to get their car setup right. Without that info, they seem to be suffering this year.

Arvin, Lon, GB

Insightful, informative and well researched. Thank you.

Douglas, London,, England - U.K.

I wonder in what way a winner of NOTHING can be compared with the Sennas and Schumachers and maybe bitter Alonsos, (he dethroned Schumi)?, Mr.Gorman.
Maybe Alonso´s set ups and talent could be a factor to get into the podium last season.
And Kubica is showing us he is, among the youngers, the best.

Sylvia, Barcelona, Spain