Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Roddie]

I'm not disputing he's one of the best drivers, and it's fine to have a personal favourite, but with a such a close championship end, at this stage it's impossible to say who's going to be top 1 year from now.

[Alastair]

I know, I'm saying he's favourite to be #1 not that he will be.

We'll agree to disagree though yeah.

[Roddie]

And I'm saying no one's favourite to win yet. I could argue that, Lewis came in 1 point behind him without even having driven on the courses before, so that makes him an even bigger force to be reckoned with next year, but the truth is we don't know how the drivers or cars will be yet.

If one team was was miles out ahead with a single driver dominating, then yeah, you could say they'd be favourite to do it again next year, but with 2 teams and 3 drivers so closely matched, any 'favourite' at this stupidly early stage is nothing more than a personal preference.

[Alastair]

Jesus Christ, let me rephrase it for you:

"I'm saying he's my favourite to be #1 not that he will be". Take into account that McL stole a boat load of tech data from Ferrari and then consider what car would have been "miles out ahead" if all had been fair in this sham of a season.

You seem to miss the point of what a favourite is though. The one that seems most likely to be best next year, not who will be as you seem to be hung up on.

Like I said, we'll agree to disagree. Bye.

[On The Edge of Insanity]

We have no evidence that Mclaren used any of the Ferrari technology directly on their own car. They offered for the FIA to take a look, but they declined, deciding that because they had been privy to the data they must have used it.

Mclaren have consistantly built race and championship winning cars over the years, so they are just as likely to be challenging Ferrari strongly next season.

Having said that, I get your point, which is that Raikonnen will be the favourite for the title, both in the bookies eyes and those of most pundits. I won't be until we see how the cars are shaping up in pre-season testing that we can make a proper judgement however.

[Shez]

Mclaren build fast cars, but they aren't always reliable - This season they have been stellar with their reliability - Probably a stand out season in that respect and maybe one which will not be repeated for quite some time.

Ferrari on the other hand have had reliability problems.

Ferrari and Mclaren are the biggest two teams in the sport at the moment, and they will continue to set the pace next season and the season after - It's pretty obvious that a title winner will come from one of those teams.

Although I do think Mclaren will suffer some pace loss if Alonso leaves.

[Duddyroar]

Take into account that McL stole a boat load of tech data from Ferrari and then consider what car would have been "miles out ahead" if all had been fair in this sham of a season.

Huh? Where's your proof for that, chum?

It was never proven that Mclaren used the data in their own car.

Let's not forget that Ferrari were investigated afrer Kimi's first victory and were found to be using an illegal device, so you can hardly claim they were playing 100% fair either.

I think it's fair to say that after such a close season, anything could happen next year. Let's not forget that Mclaren occupied the second and third places in the final championship standings. Overall, they did better over the season and it would not be unreasonable to expect whoever is behind the wheel of either of the Silver Arrows to be there or thereabouts next year.

[Richard.John]

Ferrari have been the most consistent team this century. Mclaren make good cars but dogs as well. Considering that Ferrari have won 6 of the last 8 championships, it would be wise to suggest that they will in the hunt next year. Mclaren are another story though as we have seen in the last couple of years. Who knows, maybe a resurgent Renault with their old king back at the wheel might fight it out again.

[mazza]

[QUOTE=Duddyroar;1227012]Huh? Where's your proof for that, chum?

It was never proven that Mclaren used the data in their own car.

QUOTE]

er hello! Does no one remember those famous text messages and e-mails? Alonso specifically said they should test the exact gas Ferrari were using in their tyres. Information that was taken from the stolen data (they never took all those points away on suspicion alone). So if they were doing that God knows what else they were doing that didn't involve any communication in written form.

In my opinion the right man and team won yesterday and he will be a big favourite next year, if the car is reliable. Kimi took about 6 races to properly settle in to Ferrari and he wont have to do that next year.

Like many of you I am praying for someone other than ITV to get the rights soon. Nothing wrong with supporting your countrymen but when they throw words around like genius and extraordinary talent it makes me mad. Lewis has made some amateur mistakes this season and he has a lot to learn and a long time to do it. I feel sorry for people like Jens who had all their attention last year. Some rookie comes along strings together some good results (in which was a very good car) and poor old Jens is down to about 30 secs TV time. Hate ITV, Hate Them all!

[Rossco]

As biased as ITV are for Lewis which I can totally understand as they are supporting the new boy in town and its all very exciting to have a rookie shooting for the top in his first year etc etc but your just as bad if not worse for writing him off so much.

You've not got one good word for him and I dont know why, hes had an AMAZING season no matter what car he's being driving, to finish 1 point behind the champion, with 4 wins and countless podiums. Absolutely fantastic.

He does have an extraordinary talent, how many people do you see come into F1 and perform like that on their rookie season? Not alot, its very extraordinary! But you're right he has made some amateur mistakes, thats also expected, and something he can learn and improve from as the years go on.

Give the guy and break mate and stop picking on him, Jens isnt performing so why would the spotlight be on him anyway when there's much more exciting stuff going on with Hamilton!

[On The Edge of Insanity]

To be fair to ITV its not just them calling Hamilton an extraordinary talent. Stirling Moss has said it and Murray Walker called him the best driver he has ever seen this early in their career. Add to that all of the motorsport journalists who have shared similar views and its hard to argue that it isn't the case.

[PeteJ]

The season will be forever tarnished for me though due to all the ridiculous politics and back stabbing, should have been one of the best ever but all it'll go down in history as is one of the most controversial.

I agree that the season has had as much going on off the track as on it, which is a real shame because as you say it was a superb year. In fact, I'd say that despite all the controvesy this was one of the best seasons I've ever seen. I certainly don't recall F1 being as tight as it was this year.

I really hope key personnel learn some strong lessons from the last few months and get next year off to a good start. I'm a little disappointed Maclaren are appealing over the final race (I strongly believe the FIA need to get tougher and more consistant because they have done a pretty bad job this season, however it'd do a huge amount of damage if KR is stripped of his title), I hope they focus on what matters soon.

[Richard.John]

LH is superb no doubt but you have to remember that no rookie has ever dropped into a potentially championship winning team in their first season. Okay so JV was in a top car in '96 but still. However good he is, if he started in a midfield team it would mask his potential to some degree. He will be stronger next year of course. Also I suppose he will now receive the biggest pay rise in the sport's history. Wow!!

[mazza]

LH is superb no doubt but you have to remember that no rookie has ever dropped into a potentially championship winning team in their first season. Okay so JV was in a top car in '96 but still. However good he is, if he started in a midfield team it would mask his potential to some degree. He will be stronger next year of course. Also I suppose he will now receive the biggest pay rise in the sport's history. Wow!!

Exactly. If you would have dropped Kubica or Schumacher (when he first came along) into that Mclaren I'm sure it would have been a tight finish at the end also. Kimi left Dennis in the s*** so he took a gamble on Lewis, Luckily he rolled a 6. Just cause I don't praise Lewis in my post doesn't mean I don't think he has no talent. It's plain to see all these guys are talented but my point was he is not the divine talent that ITV made out he was every race.

[VR46]

I'm sure ITV were the same when Button first appeared in F1, prehaps not as hyped but they're so desperate for a British winner. To be fair Hamilton hardly put a foot wrong all season until the final two races, but when it mattered most he (and the team) faltered.