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Post by Carl on Jan 15, 2021 19:41:40 GMT
As a prima donna, Hamilton needs periodically to test his magnificence.
Maybe Toto hasn't properly genuflected recently.  |
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Post by charleselan on Jan 15, 2021 20:14:12 GMT
Carl, I think in retrospect that my last paragraph could be open to some misinterpretation  . John Charles |
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Post by Carl on Jan 16, 2021 5:04:17 GMT
Carl, I think in retrospect that my last paragraph could be open to some misinterpretation . John Charles John Charles, Your assessment is better considered and more realistic than mine, which is too imaginary. A possibility is that both scenarios have a basis in truth. Mercedes may know by way of careful data analysis, for instance, that Hamilton's peak was 2-3 years ago and further slow decline is predictable. If the two sides cannot come to terms and the door slams too close for comfort behind him, Hamilton may cry out again, "He hit me!! He hit me!!" 
-Carl
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Post by chrisb on Jan 16, 2021 9:22:28 GMT
There is a sense that if Lewis does re-sign it will be so predictable a year again, and the level of excitement caused by George's cameo was clear for the world to see, MB must be wondering why they are paying so many millions for someone when they can get several other drivers for the fraction of the cost and still more than likely win, albeit less of a guarantee as RB is being hyped up and given Honda's history of doing better after they announce their withdrawal they may actually pose a bigger threat. As for Ferrari I do wonder what will be different this year, and wouldn't it be ironic if Renault finally get their act together
on another note - Toyota have launched their new Le Mans type car and that is starting to look like becoming a competition again,
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Post by charleselan on Jan 16, 2021 13:00:20 GMT
Maybe Lewis Hamilton should take a year out and see how he gets on with all of his other interests, I am not being sarcastic with this comment either. He is involved with so many other matters anyway, it might be good for him and the sport of F1.
I really do believe that George Russell would step ups to the plate, especially after reading what they say about him at Williams where they think he is something special. Also it would be good for Valtteri Bottas who might begin to breathe and deliver what Tonto always says is within him.
However I expect a deal will be trashed out and it will be yet another season like those that have preceded 2021.
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Post by René on Jan 16, 2021 18:08:49 GMT
I don't believe Lewis is ready yet in F1. One more title will be the aim, to be the most successful ever. Then he will stop and focus on human rights matters and have fun with music... I think. For Valtteri this will be his last year at Mercedes I would say. Wouldn't be surprised to see a completely new line-up next year. I have confidence in Ferrari to bounce back this year. Maybe not the title but most certainly a handful of wins. Carlos will fit in just fine and Charles will be amazing again. I do hope however he has no serious issues with this covid infection. Most young people don't but sometimes the aftermath can be nasty, even with athletes. But hey, he will be fine.
There really is a lot to look foward to this year, isn't there? Sainz at Ferrari, Vettel at Aston Martin, Ricciardo at McLaren, Perez vs Max, Mick Schumacher, Alpine... cool.  |
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Post by charleselan on Jan 17, 2021 18:18:40 GMT
Quite a bit of criticism of these F1 drivers and their holidays, and what appears to be a somewhat cavalier attitude to the pandemic. Shame that they seem to be adopting the attitude that they have so much money that they can do as they like, not impressed myself as many the world over are making huge sacrifices at this time.
Some of these boys need to grow up and show some level of responsibility.
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Post by Carl on Jan 18, 2021 0:27:16 GMT
Quite a bit of criticism of these F1 drivers and their holidays, and what appears to be a somewhat cavalier attitude to the pandemic. Shame that they seem to be adopting the attitude that they have so much money that they can do as they like, not impressed myself as many the world over are making huge sacrifices at this time. Some of these boys need to grow up and show some level of responsibility. John Charles, Well said and true. Celebrated athletes going back to the Greeks and Romans have been pampered and spoiled and the exceptions prove the rule. Jim Clark, Dan Gurney, Emerson Fittipaldi and Gilles Villeneuve all had unusual integrity and character and Charles Leclerc, so far at least, is the same. No matter how successful, athletes convinced of mysterious divine rights disgrace the sport and themselves. American baseball legend Leo Durocher famously said, "Nice guys finish last" but nice guys can kick ass when justified, play hard and win. Your comment about Roger Penske was excellent. Always fair as a driver, his success was well-earned, but a ruthless element has guided him in business. He may smile, but never fully and has a laser focus on beating the competition. Wherever that comes from, it's made him a billionaire several times, but a doubtfully enjoyable companion at lunch. At a somewhat overall reduced level because my attention has been divided, I am equally familiar with top-drawer racing in Europe and America but more familiar with the junior leagues here such as 1/4 mile dirt track USAC Midgets and SCCA amateur racing. Many top drivers seem to eventually succumb to privilege, the amateurs for the most part remain on level footage and stay real. -Carl |
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Post by chrisb on Jan 18, 2021 8:40:43 GMT
some months ago I watched an interview with Roger, who lets face it is the byword in professionalism - the guy is just one of the most incredible success stories I have heard, what also came across despite his age and success is that he still loves motor racing, the sort of bloke you would want running F1 as well, knowing full well it would become a much better series.
Carl, that is an interesting thought about pampered athletes and certainly when I look at the history of our sport there was always those who felt they deserved more pampering than others and there were those who accepted that they were the fortunate few and respected their positions, Bruce springs to mind as one such, and a few others from all eras, Ronnie, Jimmy, Fangio, Dan, amongst others.
Rene, I hope in some respects you are right and the red cars are more successful this year, personally I would just like someone to really take the fight consistently to the MB's.
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Post by René on Jan 18, 2021 17:19:05 GMT
some months ago I watched an interview with Roger, who lets face it is the byword in professionalism - the guy is just one of the most incredible success stories I have heard, what also came across despite his age and success is that he still loves motor racing, the sort of bloke you would want running F1 as well, knowing full well it would become a much better series. Carl, that is an interesting thought about pampered athletes and certainly when I look at the history of our sport there was always those who felt they deserved more pampering than others and there were those who accepted that they were the fortunate few and respected their positions, Bruce springs to mind as one such, and a few others from all eras, Ronnie, Jimmy, Fangio, Dan, amongst others. Rene, I hope in some respects you are right and the red cars are more successful this year, personally I would just like someone to really take the fight consistently to the MB's. Chris I don't believe Ferrari can take the fight to Mercedes consistently this year. Lets say, if they can, it would surprise me! But I do believe they will be better than some say they will. Charles will be his brilliant self again and win a handful of races. And Carlos will win his first Grand Prix for sure. But of course.... this is just me as a Ferrarista talking! Forza, forza, forza! |
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Post by charleselan on Jan 18, 2021 18:02:15 GMT
With reference to the Hamilton Mercedes Benz contract saga I see that Eddie Jordan has weighed in and said that MB should show him the door if he did not accept their deal, I tend to agree with him for once as it doesn't matter who you are at the end of the day you are an employee. I have also read that Hamilton is seeking to have a the final say on who a future team mate will be; he obviously wants Charles or Verstappen and maybe George at a push  . On another front i cannot see Ferrari challenging MB over the course of the year, they will be battling for third at best. Charles will be mighty in qualifying but I have a feeling that Carlos will be outstanding in the races. Big surprise of the year could be Sebastian in the Aston Martin, and positively so. |
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Post by René on Jan 18, 2021 18:40:51 GMT
Charles will be mighty in qualifying but I have a feeling that Carlos will be outstanding in the races. Big surprise of the year could be Sebastian in the Aston Martin, and positively so. I hope you are right on all accounts! It would be very nice when Sebastian has success in the Aston (not too much of course ). And I must say, I'm also very curious to see how Alonso will fare in the Alpine. A complicated personality but a damn good driver. |
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Post by charleselan on Jan 19, 2021 17:28:35 GMT
OK here are some completely off the wall thoughts.
Supposing that MB and Hamilton do not reach an agreement and the newly knighted one takes a years sabbatical (he would have to as no seats are available, even to him). Firstly who takes his seat at MB; does George Russell get airlifted out of Williams and if so who replaces him there?
If not George do MB put Nico Hulkenburg into the car, which would be very interesting. They obviously do not have the confidence in Stoffel to place him in the car.
So then the newly knighted one wishes to return in 2022 and he isn't going to drive for a team that doesn't have a chance of winning. Ferrari and Fizzy Drinks are not interested in him so he then joins Sebastian at Aston Martin along with a number of top people from MB; ten world drivers championships in one team!
However it could all be another little attention grabbing farrago of Tonto's, and the deal has already been done.
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Post by René on Jan 19, 2021 20:17:44 GMT
There was an article on Autosport where Toto Wolff says key to George Russell's progress is not improving his speed but ironing out mistakes. Does he think George is not ready yet or is he just playing games?
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Post by charleselan on Jan 19, 2021 23:29:04 GMT
There was an article on Autosport where Toto Wolff says key to George Russell's progress is not improving his speed but ironing out mistakes. Does he think George is not ready yet or is he just playing games? Tonto being a sh*t stirrer René, it isn't as if the newly knighted Hamilton didn't make similar mistakes in his early years is it. Remember him rear ending Kimi in the pit lane in Canada when they were all sat behind the red traffic light, Kimi nonchalant gesture to the light afterwards was priceless. |
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