Lewis Hamilton: Title Chaser or Money Grabber?

This morning, I awoke to the news that Lewis Hamilton has indeed made his protracted switch to Mercedes from McLaren  He has cited reasons such as "a new challenge" and "a new chapter" for his eye-brow raising move to the Silver Arrows. McLaren have stated their "disappointment" at Hamilton's decision although wished him "the best of luck" one can only imagine through gritted teeth.

Hamilton has seen his popularity wane in the years since his first, and only, world title triumph. The all British line up of Lewis and Jenson Button is a PR dream for McLaren but Jenson has always come across as the more likeable of the two; the driver that the fans have always taken a shining to. Tantrums, arguments and an ill-judged Ali G quote have seen Hamilton portrayed as the bad boy of F1. Talented no doubt, but temperament and public image has always been a struggle for Lewis.

Since the heights of 2008, Hamilton has consistently struggled to replicate his form in an under-performing car. McLaren have been the bridesmaids of the title race in recent years; often coming close but seldom producing competitive performances worthy of the number one position. Perhaps Hamilton has finally realised that he is simply not in the right team to deliver him the title. Perhaps he's realised that he has become far too comfortable in his surroundings after being nurtured by the McLaren team since he was just 13 years old. Now at the age of 27, a move to Mercedes might just be the shot in the arm that he needs.

However, there is a cynical side to this, quite frankly, staggering move. Mercedes are not a title-winning car, not this season anyway. Many F1 insiders believe that it will not be until 2014 until the car will be in a position to challenge the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. The conclusion many people have come to is that Hamilton's sole motivation behind the switch is money. Simon Fuller, so successful in making David Beckham and The Spice Girls global superstars, has set his sights on making Hamilton the most recognisable sports star in the world. He will be delighted at Hamilton's decision to move to Mercedes, a team which has global standing and respect.

Personally, I think Hamilton has just become disillusioned at McLaren. He simply wasn't getting the backing he would liked from the team because of their commitment to Jenson Button and a two-pronged attack on the championship. With Mercedes promising Lewis guaranteed number one status in the team, he will have much more control over the car and the direction of the team. I believe that Hamilton will win championships at Mercedes, but there's no doubt the added cash in Hamilton's Swiss bank account will certainly make him a very happy man.

World Twenty20: Is anyone watching?

Since the inception of Twenty20 cricket in 2002, it has been subject to mixed fortunes. The first few years were profitable, exciting and gripped a younger generation who were otherwise dispassionate towards cricket. But in recent years, the excitement has waned, the younger generations that were once hooked have dissipated and the once touted 'saviour of cricket' has seen its popularity slide.

This year, the World Twenty20 is being held in Sri Lanka and coverage has been, to be kind, sporadic. The overwhelming reaction to the tournament has been a universal shrug of disinterest. You would expect that a major cricket tournament would, at the very least, attract some form of home support but even that has been thin on the ground. There are growing concerns within the game that the once lucrative business of T20 is under increasing threat.

There is no doubt that T20 is the most exciting of all forms of the game. The format has attracted some of the biggest crowds for cricket matches that this country has seen for many a year. At international level it has created new superstars, players not necessarily suited for the more traditional five day format have found their feet and recognition in the form of big-hitting. The major issue the competition has had to deal with has been the lack of support from cricketing purists.

There has always been detractors who say that T20 doesn't represent true cricket and that it has moved too far away from its core values in the pursuit of a quick buck. There is no doubt that test match cricket is a world away from its shorter equivalent, but does that mean that it shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath?

Take this summer's test series against South Africa for instance. There was a lot of publicity and hype surrounding those three matches with widespread coverage across all platforms. With the Twenty20, there has been very little said about what is happening over in Sri Lanka, even when discussing England. There just isn't the enthusiasm that normally is the hallmark of supporting England at a major cricket event. Even the 2010 victory failed to ignite that missing passion in the international Twenty20 arena.

There is a definite sense that Twenty20 has proved itself to be nothing more than a flash in the pan, especially at international level. It would surprise me if the tournament carried on its current format beyond its contracted time.

"Bookending a Summer of Sport": Andy Murray

Whilst watching today's coverage of the Athletes Parade, on more than one occasion I heard pundits discussing how Andy Murray could "bookend a summer of sport" by winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open this evening. It seems like we've been talking about this forever. The constant hype surrounding the Scot must be suffocating for him. That's why perhaps this evening is his best ever chance at winning that elusive first Slam.

With all the public attention on the London Games, Murray's achievements across the pond have slipped under the radar somewhat. Without the traditional added pressure that comes with the dearth of British Grand Slam champions, maybe Murray can end the drought. Now, I have been watching a reasonable amount of the US Open and I have to say, there is very, very little to choose between either of these evenings finalists. Djokovic has five Grand Slam title to draw upon this evening, which makes him slight favourite with the bookies, but on recent form, there is nothing to choose between them.

It was Murray's tears at Wimbledon which were the precursor to the summer of sport, a desperately disappointing ending to the most successful British men's campaign since 1935. Since then, Murray achieved his first major tournament victory, by overturning his Wimbledon defeat to Roger Federer at the Olympic Games. As if the importance of the Games to tennis players was in doubt, when injury ruled Rafael Nadal out, he described himself as "hugely disappointed to miss the most important event in the world of sport".

The gold medal achieved at the Games would have given Murray new found confidence that he can beat the world's best players on the biggest stage. The perception that he was a serial choker has now been eradicated, for the time being at least. A Grand Slam will always be the ultimate goal for any tennis player and no questions will be fully put to bed until that goal has been achieved.

Undoubtedly, it has been a remarkable summer of sport, the likes of which we will never witness again. It really would be the icing on the cake if the perennial underachiever stepped up this evening and won a long awaited Slam.

Olympics vs Paralympics

This evening, for the first time, I have sat through an entire evening's coverage of the Paralympics. Now, before I discuss how incredible paralympians are and the magnitude of their achievements, I would like to discuss the broadcasting debate that has proved quite the sticking point during these games.

We all know Channel 4 have the rights to the Paralympics and quite frankly, it hasn't got a patch on the BBC. It feels like a cheap imitation and a half-hearted effort at giving the games the coverage it deserves. As hard as Claire Balding tries, she cannot make Boccia interesting. Ade Adepitan has a smile that can light up any room, but he hasn't got a clue about S7 200m freestyle. His frequent mistakes tarnish the quality of C4's broadcast and only add to the lack of knowledge shown all round by the team.

Now, the BBC was widely acclaimed for their comprehensive coverage of the Olympics and there was a collective groan when people realised they would have to sit through a torrent of commercials rather than listen to Gary Lineker's silky smooth tones. But, the fact of the matter is that the BBC did not stump up enough cash to gain the broadcasting rights. As shocking as it may seem to some, Channel 4 just offered much, much more money than the Beeb. The backlash for Channel 4 has been completely overblown and out of control. What were they supposed to do? Lose out on millions of extra viewers simply because of the fear that the public would stage a mass protest at the sight of a Sainsbury's ad? You can blame Channel 4 for poor broadcasting but you cannot blame them for committing themselves to disability sport.

That is the core of this issue. Have the BBC neglected disability sport in favour of the more prestigious, higher ratings of the Olympic Games? Or have Channel 4 simply blown them out of the water with a hugely lucrative bid? Personally, I would favour the latter. Maybe because I'm optimistic that the BBC did not make this conscious decision, or maybe because Channel 4 set out to win these rights from the start and threw all their weight behind it; something the BBC could not do whilst also broadcasting the Olympics.

Whoever was broadcasting the Paralympics, the real stars were always going to be the athletes. Watching amputees jumping 1.75m in high jump may just be the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen. It is fantastic that the country has got behind these games in the way they have. I was lucky enough to go to the Olympic Park last Thursday and it was an incredible experience. The atmosphere when Britain won any medal, in any sport was just unbelievable. 

It is time to put the BBC/Channel 4 debate to bed and savour the fact that our country has hosted the two biggest sporting events on the planet. 

Transfer Deadline Day: What's the big deal?

31 August. It is the footballing circus that is transfer deadline day. I am currently sat in front of my TV glued to Sky Sports News, refreshing BBC Sport's deadline day live text and checking Twitter periodically for any sniff of a rumour. Why? Well, to be honest with you, I can't answer that question.

On the face of it, there should be nothing exhilarating about Stoke City parting with £4 million for Midfielder Charlie Adam. Fulham purchasing Manchester United outcast Dimitar Berbatov for a, supposedly, measly £2 million should not garner excitement. Certainly, Fulham swooping to sign previously unknown 19 year old  Chris David should not set pulses racing, but incredibly it does.

Every year, it is the same furore, with players moving left, right and centre. What is the fascination with these transfers that have, quite frankly, no bearing on myself or any ordinary fan watching the days thrills and spills? It is perhaps understandable that if a player is moving to your club, you are entitled to a little bit of excitement, a sense of optimism for said player to pull on the shirt. But I cannot put my finger why so many people across the country spend an entire day sat in front of the TV listening to vague, often nonsensical reports of potential deals.

The big winner out of all this commotion is without a doubt Sky Sports News. Garnering their highest viewing figures of the year on this day, they squeeze every last drop of juice out of it. Reporters around the country, various pundits doing shifts in the studio with the ever-excitable presenting duo and the bloke at the 'Sky-pad' who rounds up everything that everybody before them has exhausted entirely. Perhaps the most remarkable example of the pomposity of deadline day is the footage of presenter Jim 'Deadline Day' White arriving at Sky headquarters at 1:30pm, five hours ahead of when he's due to begin his stint. It is perhaps the most striking example of the absurdity that surrounding the Premier League circus in the year 2012.

Despite all this, it is undoubtedly one of the most exciting days of the football calendar. It is a time to forget the ludicrous transfer fees involved, the fact the on the face of it, none of it truly matters and the that your side might not sign anybody at all. It is a day to become engulfed in and to not be taken too seriously.

Now, did someone say West Ham were in for a player?