FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

I'm not entirely certain about that. Alonso would probably raise some interest from Santander in sponsoring the team he's with (if they don't go bust). I'm not so sure about Vodafone (I don't know enough about it to say). Overall, however, I would say Hamilton does have more marketing power than Alonso. Ferrari, however, are generally less concerned about that, and there's only so much money a team can spend, which could be a factor should budget caps be introduced.

It was pretty close between Hamilton and Alonso in 2007 and with all the off-track events, there's really no point in trying to say who's the better of the two based on that. Looking at their careers more generally, I'd say Hamilton is probably slightly faster than Alonso, but Alonso, for me, is probably the best all-round driver.

[Jensonb]

I'm not entirely certain about that. Alonso would probably raise some interest from Santander in sponsoring the team he's with (if they don't go bust). I'm not so sure about Vodafone (I don't know enough about it to say). Overall, however, I would say Hamilton does have more marketing power than Alonso. Ferrari, however, are generally less concerned about that, and there's only so much money a team can spend, which could be a factor should budget caps be introduced.

It was pretty close between Hamilton and Alonso in 2007 and with all the off-track events, there's really no point in trying to say who's the better of the two based on that. Looking at their careers more generally, I'd say Hamilton is probably slightly faster than Alonso, but Alonso, for me, is probably the best all-round driver.

I would go with that assessment.

[bmwpower]

I am not basing my assertions on the recent newspaper reports. I'm basing them on facts, rumours, insights etc. gained over Hamilton's career. Anybody who thinks Hamilton won't drop McLaren when a better deal comes along is, frankly, deluded. I don't blame Hamilton for looking out for himself, I'm just fed up of listening to his platitudes and McLaren going out of their way for him. Even Hakkinen was not given anything like the special employee status Hamilton gets, and he genuinely was loyal to the team!

You are absolutely right mate. The only loyalty in F1 is winning, and once your car or team becomes a dog, drivers will look around because at the end of the day, they are just hired drivers.

[EwanM]

I'm not entirely certain about that. Alonso would probably raise some interest from Santander in sponsoring the team he's with (if they don't go bust). I'm not so sure about Vodafone (I don't know enough about it to say). Overall, however, I would say Hamilton does have more marketing power than Alonso. Ferrari, however, are generally less concerned about that, and there's only so much money a team can spend, which could be a factor should budget caps be introduced.

It was pretty close between Hamilton and Alonso in 2007 and with all the off-track events, there's really no point in trying to say who's the better of the two based on that. Looking at their careers more generally, I'd say Hamilton is probably slightly faster than Alonso, but Alonso, for me, is probably the best all-round driver.

Alonso Hamilton - The Modern Day Prost and Senna (I say modern only: there ain't many direct comparisons and I'd say both drivers carry traits of both the two legends.)
I'd say Hamilton is slightly faster than Alonso - just like Senna was of Prost. But Alonso is the smarter driver and more technically minded.

[EwanM]

Furthermore Alonso has a number of big Spanish brands behind him. Telefonica, Probably Santander etc etc. He has enough sponsorship clout let me make that clear.

And yeah I dont get Hamilton - the boy would be know where without Mclaren. However I do not believe he is that loyal.

[bmwpower]

Furthermore Alonso has a number of big Spanish brands behind him. Telefonica, Probably Santander etc etc. He has enough sponsorship clout let me make that clear.

And yeah I dont get Hamilton - the boy would be know where without Mclaren. However I do not believe he is that loyal.

Alonso may have sponsorship money on Hamilton but the one thing he can't and will never beat Hamilton is age, Hamilton is younger and will be around much much longer. Hamilton can be your star driver for years and eventually the money will come for both driver and team, we can argue who was a better driver last year or with the same car, but its not important because in a couple of years, Alonso will drop due to age and Hamilton will rise due to experience.

[Jensonb]

Furthermore Alonso has a number of big Spanish brands behind him. Telefonica, Probably Santander etc etc. He has enough sponsorship clout let me make that clear.

And yeah I dont get Hamilton - the boy would be know where without Mclaren. However I do not believe he is that loyal.

Put it this way, if he leaves...It would be extremely disrespectful and dishonourable. More than a few in the Pitlane and the Press would be peeved about it, and not just McLaren and their fans.

Alonso may have sponsorship money on Hamilton but the one thing he can't and will never beat Hamilton is age, Hamilton is younger and will be around much much longer. Hamilton can be your star driver for years and eventually the money will come for both driver and team, we can argue who was a better driver last year or with the same car, but its not important because in a couple of years, Alonso will drop due to age and Hamilton will rise due to experience.

Steady on mate, Alonso isn't even 30. He has the better part of a decade of front-running in him yet - at least.

[EwanM]

Furthermore Alonso has a number of big Spanish brands behind him. Telefonica, Probably Santander etc etc. He has enough sponsorship clout let me make that clear.

And yeah I dont get Hamilton - the boy would be know where without Mclaren. However I do not believe he is that loyal.

Alonso may have sponsorship money on Hamilton but the one thing he can't and will never beat Hamilton is age, Hamilton is younger and will be around much much longer. Hamilton can be your star driver for years and eventually the money will come for both driver and team, we can argue who was a better driver last year or with the same car, but its not important because in a couple of years, Alonso will drop due to age and Hamilton will rise due to experience.

At the same time. Hamilton is surrounded by other talented guys at the same level as him (IMO).
Rosberg, Vettel, Kubica to name three. So he won't be able to dominate I don't think.

[Gaz]

The question is, would any of the top teams have Hamilton? They all have their Stars, and some of them seem to have already poached Stars in advance (The Scuderia with Alonso for example). I can't see a seat that works for him anywhere but McLaren, unless we start talking Toyota in Trulli's seat (Which would likely mean bye-bye Mr. Glock) or Renault to replace Alonso - and given their recent form, it's not a move he'd make.

Hamilton beat Alonso in the same car.

When Kimi Retires given the choice between Alonso and Hamilton i'd expect they would choose Hamilton.

1. He'd Bring in more Sponsorshop Value
2. He's as fast if no faster.

But i think he will remain with Mclaren

Hamilton did not beat Fernando in the same car.

Nor would Hamilton bring in more sponsorship value, since Alonso could lure Santander and possibly return Vodafone to the Scuderia.

2007 yes he did, and hes the youngest WDC so based on that hes worth more.

[EwanM]

[Jensonb]

2007 yes he did, and hes the youngest WDC so based on that hes worth more.

That season is a worthless comparison given the FiA's intervention into Mr Alonso's chances, McLaren's favoritism and the fact they actually tied on points.

Statistics mean nothing in promotion. Multinational Conglomerate A doesn't give a stuff how young you were when you won the title, they want a face and a brand. Look at Santander themselves, they signed to McLaren for Fernando. Not just because he was the Champion, but because he was Spanish. He was a popular and known face in their homeland. Lewis was useful in Britain for the Abbey, but that was secondary. Look at Kubica, he's not a champion, and yet his face is plastered all over Poland.

[racechick]

Alonso was a double world champion. Lewis did not get favouritism and Alonso should have been able to handle him. he clearly couldnt. Monaco is one piece of evidnece of this (2007), despite Alonso being on the best strategy, Lewis was clearly faster all weekend. They took it inturns to have the best strategy and were generally given the best one for their home GP.

[racechick]

Furthermore Alonso has a number of big Spanish brands behind him. Telefonica, Probably Santander etc etc. He has enough sponsorship clout let me make that clear.

And yeah I dont get Hamilton - the boy would be know where without Mclaren. However I do not believe he is that loyal.

Alonso may have sponsorship money on Hamilton but the one thing he can't and will never beat Hamilton is age, Hamilton is younger and will be around much much longer. Hamilton can be your star driver for years and eventually the money will come for both driver and team, we can argue who was a better driver last year or with the same car, but its not important because in a couple of years, Alonso will drop due to age and Hamilton will rise due to experience.

At the same time. Hamilton is surrounded by other talented guys at the same level as him (IMO).
Rosberg, Vettel, Kubica to name three. So he won't be able to dominate I don't think.

He's raced better than all of those in a less competitive car.

[McLaren Fan]

Alonso was a double world champion. Lewis did not get favouritism and Alonso should have been able to handle him. he clearly couldnt. Monaco is one piece of evidnece of this (2007), despite Alonso being on the best strategy, Lewis was clearly faster all weekend. They took it inturns to have the best strategy and were generally given the best one for their home GP.

Yeah, I don't buy into this favouritism thing at all. I don't doubt that Alonso had the same connexion with the team as Hamilton, but Alonso was hardly disliked, and he did shut himself away from the team by the sounds of things, so he can't really complain about not feeling loved.

[Jensonb]

Lewis did not get favouritism

Pfft. If you'll believe that, you'll believe anything. Favouritism doesn't have to be an ordered, controlled thing. It can quite easily emerge organically and accidentally.