Lewis Strikes Back & Parties With Justin Bieber in Monaco.
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Senior Editor
The Auto Channel
Formula 1 Racing Desk
Monaco; It’s been a good few weeks for the triple world champion. It’s no surprise that Rosberg’s luck ran out, that’s what happens in motor racing. Sometimes you have the wind behind you and propelling you to no end of glory into the horizon, and then you hit the 40ft shipping container just lurking semi-submerged beneath the surface. Rosberg’s not sinking of course, but with the points deficit down to just nine points its wide open once again and Lewis has his mojo back. He’s a peculiar character. Still just 31, worth over $250m and hanging with, what some might say is a very ‘non-traditional’ F1 party crowd that’s distracting him from being a focused athlete. Rap stars and child pop icons like Justin Bieber are super cool fun and know how to party, not in the same classy, naughty way say James Hunt did, more hosting a big night club table or yacht party with large amounts of free jeroboam champagne and vodka.
Personally, having been a semi successful amateur athlete for 10 years in bobsledding and raced around the World Cup circuit and three Olympics, I don’t see the problem. I guess I was quite well known for heading out to enjoy the local offerings from each town we raced and never had an issue with focusing on the job at hand. It’s not like Lewis is oversleeping and missing practice with a hangover! Most of the drivers, the good and the great, that I have known over the past 30 years all partied as hard as they drove. I recall running into Eddie Irvine in the famous Jimmy’z of Monaco one Friday night in August. It was around midnight, he was bored, and complaining that there weren’t enough pretty lassies around. “That’s it”. He said “I’m off to Milan”. But its four hours away I proclaimed, what’s the point to get there at 4am? “Don’t worry, I’ve got a friends Porsche Turbo and can do it in two and half hours no problem”.
Sure enough, even though he got stopped by the Italian police on the interstrada at what he described as “maxed out“ he was already driving for Ferrari and with a friendly “Eddie Eddie” and some broad grins and hand waving was sent on his lucky Irish way. All ended well at the famous Hollywood Club, where he had called the owner to set up a table and fill it with models for his imminent arrival, well, except for the friends Porsche, which has never been the same again apparently.
So now we have Lewis surrounded by politically correct PR agents and journalists, many of whom simply cannot relate to these lifestyles (remember when they complained about Raikkonen’s drinking)? And Lewis is enjoying his fame and fortune and still putting it on pole by 2pm local time every other Saturday. I’m still a buyer and I think he will win the championship again this year as the fastest and most complete driver with the best car on the grid. It might be tighter than last year, when he wrapped it up at Austin, but he knows how to win a World Championship and Nico doesn’t. Luck aside he’s still got the upper hand.
Monaco was a great example of a faultless weekend that went Hamilton’s way. A year before he had been let down by team orders, and was a poor loser on the podium, and this time it was Red Bull’s turn to screw it up, panic, change tyre strategy at the last moment when Daniel was already committed to the pits and then scramble in the tight Pitlane garages for the right set of Pirelli’s stuck at the back. Those ten extra seconds was all it needed. Riccardo took it badly, but they all do. This generation of drivers seem to complain, sulk and generally wine a lot. Vettel has become an old lady, voicing his disapproval over the radio every time a driver doesn’t do what he wants, come on lads, be men not boys – even if you are actually boys in men’s machines.
After the Monaco race, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2017 everyone hits the yacht and beach parties including the drivers. There is one official function that the top three are supposed to attend. The Automobile Club gala dinner and prize giving. This year for the first time, the winner failed to show. I don’t remember another time that has happened and naturally it was rather embarrassing for the hosts.
Remember Lewis, you might be World Champion and the champion of Monaco, but you’re also a Monaco resident and showing up so The Prince can give you your 1st place trophy is the least one might expect – Bieber would have waited to party afterwards – promise.
Ricciardo partied hard both after the race and into Monday as we all headed to the annual Eddie Jordan beach party for rose’, live music and dancing on tables. Daniel and his mates were on the table next to us and in fine ozzy form. We had a number of driver’s pop in throughout the afternoon including Nico Hulkenberg (who should have been on the podium instead of his team mate), David Coulthard, Felipe Massa and British legend John Watson. A (very) good time was had by all and after ten hours on the beach we all headed back to Monaco and a good night’s sleep for a change.
Montreal demonstrated that Lewis is back on top. Demanding performances each day and a strong race. The first corner incident wasn’t his or Nico’s fault, just a regular racing incident. Vettel stormed past both of them into turn one, and drove an excellent race which clearly suited the much improved Ferrari. They are catching Mercedes and it’s time for Seb to stand on the top step of the podium. Clearly both Red Bull and Ferrari will take points off the Silver Arrows and will impact the outcome of the championship.
The race itself wasn’t anything too exciting, which was a shame for the ever enthusiastic and fun Canadian crowds.
Baku is up next, the “European Grand Prix”. A new city with a big check book to attract Bernie and the circus to town. F1 is doing slightly better this month with the arrival of new global beer partner Heineken with $100m to invest over next few years, if only the teams could share some of it, then maybe some wouldn’t be on life support.
