The Hamilton Report.......3.0v

[vortexblue]

Well, there goes all my McLaren "stuff."

I'll presume that the proceeds gained from any future Mercedes paraphernalia purchases in my household will be going towards Hammie's salary huh?

Send it over here. I'm still a McLaren fan with or without Hammie. I was hoping DiResta would be taking his spot, though.

[dubsix]

Send it over here. I'm still a McLaren fan with or without Hammie. I was hoping DiResta would be taking his spot, though.

Same here I am a Mclaren fan first and foremost, sad to lose Hamilton (a real loss imo) but it doesn't change my choice of team.

ps and I am thrilled it's Perez, I like the guy

[vdubjb]

Twitter is turning 20somethings into idiots. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/08/sp...ort/index.html

[TBomb]

Twitter is turning 20somethings into idiots. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/08/sp...ort/index.html

No...I think it's more along the lines of idiot 20-somethings can now show the world how stupid they are Twitter didn't cause them to be idiots...just allowed them to broadcast it to the world.

[Hawk]

Lewis Hamilton is the most ungrateful S.O.B. in F1. This is what he says after the team works their asses off for him for an entire season.

It's a day to forget. A year to forget as well. I'm looking forward to a fresh start next year.

My hatred of him is now complete.

It's like he's the only guy to ever suffer a mechanical breakdown?

The guy defines lack of class. I got nothing against Brawn or Mercedes, but I hope Lewis never sees a podium again.

[dubsix]

Lewis Hamilton is the most ungrateful S.O.B. in F1. This is what he says after the team works their asses off for him for an entire season.



My hatred of him is now complete.

It's like he's the only guy to ever suffer a mechanical breakdown?

The guy defines lack of class. I got nothing against Brawn or Mercedes, but I hope Lewis never sees a podium again.

stop acting like a jilted lover... post it a few more times tool.

[dubsix]

Read below...this is Lewis Hamilton, Whitmarsh did not have to say any of this stuff... but it really spells out what kind of driver Lewis is.

from ESPNF1.com

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has described Lewis Hamilton's drive in Korea as "heroic" as he salvaged a point despite a rear anti-roll bar failure.

Having been running relatively competitively in fourth place, Hamilton suffered the failure on lap 18 and his lap times immediately dropped off. However, Hamilton was able to complete a three-stop race and remain in the top ten to the end of the race despite getting Astroturf lodged along the right hand side of his car which slowed him further in the closing laps.

Whitmarsh said he would never have imagined Hamilton could score points when the failure first occurred, and praised his temperament and mentality when holding off Kimi Raikkonen for fifth place for a number of laps.

"You don't get much more heroic a drive for one point," Whitmarsh said. "On lap 18 with the rear roll-bar failure I really didn't think that one; he'd get to the end of the race without consuming all of the tyres we had because you're just eating the tyres, and two; to then contemplate points, if it were not for the Astroturf he should have got up to eighth place which was absolutely incredible.

"If you had told me that on lap 18, lap 19 I would have said that was amazing, but we and he - particularly he - fought on. His fighting with Kimi - it's difficult for me to detach myself - but what a show he put on just fighting with everyone. And good, clean stuff. No desperate stuff. Kimi's always a great racer, he's a tough race but you could see two people who respected each other and Kimi knew that he was fighting a wounded car and so did Lewis. It's very easy when someone like that just gets by you to say 'OK I know I'm hurting my tyres even more', but he just fought on."

Whitmarsh went as far to say the drive would prove an "inspiration" for him in future after such a difficult weekend.

"Suddenly, to be at the end saying 'actually you're catching these two Toro Rossos' - at one point he was the fastest car out there - and I have some notion of how badly balanced the car was and how quickly it was damaging the tyres. So to do that job was absolutely incredible, so I don't remember one world championship point being fought for so valiantly and so grittily as that. It was an absolutely heroic drive and that's the inspiration I'll take away from Korea; I'll try to forget lots of it but the way in which he fought for that was fantastic."

[Oliver@triplezoom]

Just for fun, I rewatched the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix tonight. It reminded me just how close Hamilton came to winning the championship in his rookie year after Alonso crashed out. What a great race that was.

[enigmatic enthusiast]

McLaren didn't deserve to keep Hamilton. Now they can build the car around button again this year, like last, and hope he can beat his teammate in a car built for him. Hamilton has saved us all from hearing multiple times again next year, " there is no way I'm over a second slower than lewis". Lol.

[Blaspherion]

McLaren didn't deserve to keep Hamilton. Now they can build the car around button again this year, like last, and hope he can beat his teammate in a car built for him. Hamilton has saved us all from hearing multiple times again next year, " there is no way I'm over a second slower than lewis". Lol.

What if Perez ends up outperforming Jensen? This could be great for McLaren, it could end up being lame. Jensen is not really a number 1 driver. It doesn't seem to be his nature to get out there and lead the on track efforts so to speak. Sergio could potentially do that if he asserts himself, or more specifically, if he is allowed to assert himself.

Stan...

[Hawk]

Jensen is not really a number 1 driver.

Only won a world championship...

Placed just 2 points behing Zleeis this year. Won a bunch of Grand Prixes.

[Blaspherion]

Only won a world championship...

Placed just 2 points behing Zleeis this year. Won a bunch of Grand Prixes.

Won a a world Championship in a car that at the beginning of the season was far beyond the rest of the field. Then, when the others started catching up, he managed to sit on the points lead he had built up early in the season. Still don't think he is a team leading number one driver. Sorry.

Stan...

[darren p.]

Grand Prixes.

Hate to be that guy but the plural of Grand Prix is Grands Prix. Strange but true, nonetheless.

[kfzmeister]

Still don't think he is a team leading number one driver. Sorry.

Stan...

I'm not sure how people think Perez is all that now that he's going to Macca. Button should have him in check, me thinks.

[Blaspherion]

I'm not sure how people think Perez is all that now that he's going to Macca. Button should have him in check, me thinks.

I never said that or even implied it. I simply offered a hypothetical situation. What is Perez goes to McLaren and outperforms or matches Button's performance in his first year with the team? Button is not a dominant driver or personality. How will that work for the team?

Stan...

[kfzmeister]

I never said that or even implied it. I simply offered a hypothetical situation. What is Perez goes to McLaren and outperforms or matches Button's performance in his first year with the team? Button is not a dominant driver or personality. How will that work for the team?

Stan...

I can't see that happening. Button has so much experience. He's a World Champ, been through all that. Perez doesn't strike me as someone that could make things uncomfortable for Button.
I agre that Button needs a little more aggressiveness, but he didn't do bad against Hamilton in the last few years (I think his stats actually favor him vs. Ham). Perez is nowhere near a driver like Ham....

[jsmyle1%...]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaandthesillyseason is upon us!

Super smooth is.......well "super smooth"....but he does not appear (from my perspective sittin in my living room) to have the tenacity and (dare I say) "drive" of Alonso, Hammie, Kimi, The Finger, etc...

Not taking anything away from his skill level.... having made it to the pinnacle of motorsport, F1 Champion, blah, blah, blah. Heck, he's a triathalete if I'm not mistaken??? I'm just not sure he has that "killer instinct....

Perez is younger.....much younger....and on his way upward. How much longer does Button have? Just wait. Once his young lady friend gets pregnant....., he'll IMMEDIATELY lose 3-4 tenths.....

Let's wait 'n see....

[teeks]

jsmyle, i agree with most you say. i do think button should not be so attacked. maybe he drives not attack mode but he drives a more patient calculated approach. he is often attacked because he won one championship, hamilton did as well.

truth is whether you are charles pic or alonso, non pay driver or a pay driver, you have to be able to drive an f1 car good. otherwise they would not look at you. but above all, f1 is a business then a sport as is any. vettel proved himself above and beyond now 3 times in a row (thats not just luck), alonso is always awesome, kimi just has it in him, button is a thinker before being a gas pedal puncher. he is good. everyone attacks him for winning the championship because of the double diffuser. well then hamilton only won because of timo glock traction loss one could argue. hamilton has not won a championship since. he is quick one lap but that does not win anymore. you cannot blame a bad car from mclaren because they had hiccups this season. since hamiltons championship win he could have won another but mentally i do not think he is capable. alonso can take a subpar car almost to winning the championship but i honestly do not think hamilton will be able to handle losing or not being involved with the top or possible nico stepping up his game and not letting him walk allover him. all he says to the media now is just PR. let it actually happen first. i think he regrets his move but will never say at least not now.

i do think hamilton is a good racer, otherwise he would not be there but i do not think great. too many mistakes either on or off the track. i have little respect fo a person that bashes his own team when things dont go his way. being upset at something once in a while sure, but bashing you only hear from hamilton. you never hear the other drivers bashing the team. again, upset over an incident but not bashing.......

perhaps hamilton will prove many of us wrong but i do not think it will happen and he will slowly fade into the background over the next few years. his girl will not like that the attention is no longer from the media and hes not winning and then the outside problems surface again..

the vettel haters say he wins only because of newey. why is webber not winning then? same a why michael won so many at ferrari. great team behind him building the right car. newey can build all he wants but if he does not have a great driver in the car then it is a waste of time..

okay, i am finished preaching..

jsmyle, hopefully no harsh feelings for difference of hamilton opinion. i know he is your boy.

[jsmyle1%...]

.....okay, i am finished preaching..

jsmyle, hopefully no harsh feelings for difference of hamilton opinion. i know he is your boy.

No hard feelings....

Its all good.

I named my son "Jenson", not Lewis.... (almost 8 years ago, BEFORE JB won his F1 Championship, but AFTER I had been following LH for a few years).

2013 will be an interesting one. Let's see how good Schumey is at mentoring... both Hammie and Rosberg.....and the rest of The Team....

[Blaspherion]

Teeks, you overlook on major point, no other car on the grid could touch the 2009 Brawn car, at least not for the first half of the season. On the contrary, When Hamilton won in 2008, Massa and Ferrari were right there with him the entire way. Button sat on his 2nd half points lead while Hamilton had to fight for his championship. They are not similar championship seasons.

"why is webber not winning then?"

Simple, because Red Bull has all of their eggs in the Vettel basket. It has been demonstrated time and time again that they are favoring Vettel with development and parts. Yes, Vettel is a much better driver than Webber. He qualifies better and most importantly, he starts races better than Webber but make no mistake, Red Bull (and Helmut Marko) are there for Vettel, not Webber. Clearly they are paying Webber more than enough to stick around and keep deluding himself into thinking that he stands a chance of being a number 1 driver at Red Bull.

Stan...

[jsmyle1%...]

And based on some of McLaren's pit-stop performances and reliability issues, there's no telling to whom they were committed this past year (beginning, middle OR end)..... LH or JB??????

Therein lies the issue with regard to the top-tiered F1 teams. Can two #1 drivers co-exist at McLaren, Ferrari or RedBull?

I think not....

There's just not enough room in the cockpit of two cars... belonging to one team...for 4 large balls and 2 big egos....

Massa fits the role.........to a T!!!

My $.02.....

[tbvvw]

"why is webber not winning then?"

Simple, because Red Bull has all of their eggs in the Vettel basket. It has been demonstrated time and time again that they are favoring Vettel with development and parts. Yes, Vettel is a much better driver than Webber. He qualifies better and most importantly, he starts races better than Webber but make no mistake, Red Bull (and Helmut Marko) are there for Vettel, not Webber. Clearly they are paying Webber more than enough to stick around and keep deluding himself into thinking that he stands a chance of being a number 1 driver at Red Bull.

While i agree that RBR favors Vettel...Webber's car is just too good for him to finish 6th and only be on 4 podiums this season. I like him...but if any driver deserves a #2 standing, it's him.

[gizmopop]

And based on some of McLaren's pit-stop performances and reliability issues, there's no telling to whom they were committed this past year (beginning, middle OR end)..... LH or JB??????

Therein lies the issue with regard to the top-tiered F1 teams. Can two #1 drivers co-exist at McLaren, Ferrari or RedBull?

I think not....

There's just not enough room in the cockpit of two cars... belonging to one team...for 4 large balls and 2 big egos....

Massa fits the role.........to a T!!!

My $.02.....

That depends in part on the individual drivers.


Mclaren commits to both drivers until one is mathematically eliminated from WDC contention, that is the way they have always operated.

Alonso and Hamilton both had cars capable of taking the championship in 07,(and both had the opportunity to seal it a few races from the end). Alonso wasn't used to the climate at Mclaren, and didn't expect Hamilton to match/beat his performance (Alonso has outperformed all of his other teammates ).

Button typically finished the season right behind Hamilton while at Mclaren, except for 2011 where he finished 2nd in the championship.

At Ferrari Alonso is currently #1, and unless Massa improves next season that's the way it will remain. When Massa was teamed with Kimi, Ferrari observed the same MO as Mclaren does.

RedBull...That's Vettels team. Vettel has outperformed Webber each season (even when he had a full season @ Toro Rosso). Maybe Vettels 2nd season @ Redbull Webber might have had a taste of 1# driver status, but Vettel won the championship at the end of that season.

[dubsix]

Webber's clutch grab point seals his number 2 status.

[kfzmeister]

Mclaren commits to both drivers until one is mathematically eliminated from WDC contention, that is the way they have always operated.

That's not what Coulthard says.....

[wiredvw]

Webber's clutch grab point seals his number 2 status.

[gizmopop]

That's not what Coulthard says.....

Team orders in his case...Mika was apparently confused by that as well.

[kfzmeister]

Me thinks that HAM is gonna raise some serious eyebrows in a couple of weeks.

[Blaspherion]

Me thinks that HAM is gonna raise some serious eyebrows in a couple of weeks.

You think so? I guess I am not that optimistic. I think he will definitely have some sweet on track skirmishes but I don't know if he will be winning races soon. I hope so but realistically, I don't think so.

Stan...

[wiredvw]

Me thinks that HAM is gonna raise some serious eyebrows in a couple of weeks.

They said the same thing last season. Sure it impressed for the first half of races then performance fell off a cliff. If they start strong they need to carry it throughout the season.

[kfzmeister]

You think so? I guess I am not that optimistic. I think he will definitely have some sweet on track skirmishes but I don't know if he will be winning races soon. I hope so but realistically, I don't think so.

Stan...

Judging from what i've read about testing, Mercedes could be the dark horse. After a few painful years, perhaps things are paying off. They've stacked the team with a lot of technical support in the last year. Hamilton joining the team sure won't hurt a thing.
I'm gonna guess that Hamilton might podium or just miss it in Melbourne.

[Blaspherion]

Judging from what i've read about testing, Mercedes could be the dark horse. After a few painful years, perhaps things are paying off. They've stacked the team with a lot of technical support in the last year. Hamilton joining the team sure won't hurt a thing.
I'm gonna guess that Hamilton might podium or just miss it in Melbourne.

Okay. I am on board then. Let's see what they can pull off.

Stan...

[teeks]

i dont have the feeling for mercedes. yes, i hoped schumacher would conquer the world again but was not to be. everyone is making a big to do about their testing pace, but so was there pace last year and nothing came of it. it was very cold and i think the warmer weather to come will eat up their tyres.

it makes me laugh when all you read on the f1 sites is that since hamilton showed up mercedes are better under his knowledge of set up. they have been working on that car since the start of last years season.

personally, i think rosberg will show him up and the tensions will begin. that would be exciting.

they always talked about lotus being the darkhorse last season but they just were not there overall.

if you read certain articles, they all make comments about the top teams from testing especially mercedes being fast and reliable after the first test but redbull seems to be everyones guess. they were never about speed. their car is planted in and out of corners and their lap times on certain lengthy runs was showing webber 1.6 seconds above everyone else on similar runs with guesstimating on fuel loads of course.

redbull does not do how fast can go, they stay quiet and develop. all other drivers feel redbull is the one to watch.

anyways, i know what i write us f1 fans already know but it is good to have the season starting again and i fealt the urge.

lets have some fun and enjoy the season with minimal bickering...

[TurboTrucka]

i dont have the feeling for mercedes. yes, i hoped schumacher would conquer the world again but was not to be. everyone is making a big to do about their testing pace, but so was there pace last year and nothing came of it. it was very cold and i think the warmer weather to come will eat up their tyres.

it makes me laugh when all you read on the f1 sites is that since hamilton showed up mercedes are better under his knowledge of set up. they have been working on that car since the start of last years season.

personally, i think rosberg will show him up and the tensions will begin. that would be exciting.

they always talked about lotus being the darkhorse last season but they just were not there overall.

if you read certain articles, they all make comments about the top teams from testing especially mercedes being fast and reliable after the first test but redbull seems to be everyones guess. they were never about speed. their car is planted in and out of corners and their lap times on certain lengthy runs was showing webber 1.6 seconds above everyone else on similar runs with guesstimating on fuel loads of course.

redbull does not do how fast can go, they stay quiet and develop. all other drivers feel redbull is the one to watch.

anyways, i know what i write us f1 fans already know but it is good to have the season starting again and i fealt the urge.

lets have some fun and enjoy the season with minimal bickering...

I believe on Sky's F1 Show they said the Vettel had super fast sector times, but never put them together in one lap. He'd fly through 1 and 2 then back off in 3 ect...

[gizmopop]

I agree that Button needs a little more aggressiveness, but he didn't do bad against Hamilton in the last few years (I think his stats actually favor him vs. Ham). Perez is nowhere near a driver like Ham....

Does he have to be though? Perez caught everyone's eye when he almost beat Alonso at the 2012 Malaysian GP even though that race was a wet one, and Ferrari's car wasn't the best it could be at the time (Sauber is still considered a 2nd tier team compared to Red Bull, Mclaren and Ferrari. Lotus was faster than Sauber).

He had other great performances at Canada and Italy finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively (ahead of Jensen in both of those races, but behind Hamilton). A number of his retirements last season were caused by other drivers (Grosjean, Senna, Maldonado).

Given a better car his performance should improve.