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[nikon133]

I don't think Ron lost it, rather Ferrari and Kimi swooped to win it at the end. If Alonso worked with the team a little more, then perhaps things might have been different, but he decided months ago to put his energy into other things.

But how can you be sure that team was working with him? Much as I can recall real problems started showing after LH refused qualifying team orders and not letting FA through, causing FA's dumbass act in pitstop and grid penalty... was it in Hungary? There were early reports of LH getting ugly on RD over the radio, but it all disappeared (or was covered) later leaving bitter FA for the rest of the season.

I really hope all the actors in this little McLaren's ancient-Greeks' tragedy will give us their full version of all that happened. It seems a lot of people have already made up their minds of who are heroes and villains of this story, but I for sure haven't.

[sax2basix]

Anyone but Ron Dennis lost McLaren the championship. Alonso, Ferrari, Pedro de la Rosa, FIA to name but a few.............take your pick. Under those circumstances RD has done a fantastic job of keeping things together as best he could.

[perch]

I'm suprised he didnt drop dead from all the stress

[sax2basix]

I'm suprised he didnt drop dead from all the stress

Me too. I think he's done a marvelous job (but I am a little bit biased )

[williamsndb]

Alonso and Hamilton were given a clean slate in Australia and beyond. Hamilton looked the better prospect, Hamilton was given the support.

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Alonso couldn't muster a good enough performace against the Ferraris.

Hamilton got the support because he started better and held a better Championship position. IMO - no other reason.

[darwin dali]

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Alonso couldn't muster a good enough performace against the Ferraris.

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Hamilton couldn't muster a good enough performance against the Ferraris.

[williamsndb]

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Alonso couldn't muster a good enough performace against the Ferraris.

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Hamilton couldn't muster a good enough performance against the Ferraris.

Touche.

But the basic point stands. McLaren had to support Hamilton once it looked like he'd be the better Championship prospect.

[darwin dali]

Once he looked like the public's darling.

[williamsndb]

Once he looked like the public's darling.

Of course he was going to be the public's darling - a rookie challenging the world champion? It was understandable.

The problem for me never laid at this though. The problem was Alonso thought he was going to McLaren as number one, when it's always been accepted that the team does not have an automatic preference until it's seen as whose got the better chance. Maybe as World Champion, he thought he deserved full support, and Hamilton should be nothing more than a glorified test driver, I don't know. But when Hamilton, as WC leader, was shown some preference (which happened at Renault in Alonso's favour), he pulled a hissy fit.

Hamilton's only mistake for me is Hungary where he blocked Fernando. Otherwise, I think he's handled himself brilliantly in the crossfire between Dennis and Alonso, on and off the track.

[darwin dali]

Hamilton's only mistake for me is Hungary where he blocked Fernando. Otherwise, I think he's handled himself brilliantly in the crossfire between Dennis and Alonso, on and off the track.

Japan, China, Brazil - don't think so.

At any rate, the one driver who truly handled it brilliantly throughout the season is the one we call the world champion today.

[McLaren Fan]

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Alonso couldn't muster a good enough performace against the Ferraris.

Even today, with an FIA inspector breathing down McLaren's necks, Hamilton couldn't muster a good enough performance against the Ferraris.

No, but he's done it a few times in the past.

Hamilton's only mistake for me is Hungary where he blocked Fernando. Otherwise, I think he's handled himself brilliantly in the crossfire between Dennis and Alonso, on and off the track.

Japan, China, Brazil - don't think so.

At any rate, the one driver who truly handled it brilliantly throughout the season is the one we call the world champion today.

Smashed his car in Monaco and allowed the pressure to get to him in the British Grand Prix, too. Whether Raikkonen deserved the title this season is open for debate, which has been discussed slightly on other threads, but given he should have had at least one title under his belt, I don't think anybody will begrudge him this one.

[darwin dali]

He won Silverstone...

[williamsndb]

Hamilton's only mistake for me is Hungary where he blocked Fernando. Otherwise, I think he's handled himself brilliantly in the crossfire between Dennis and Alonso, on and off the track.

Japan, China, Brazil - don't think so.

At any rate, the one driver who truly handled it brilliantly throughout the season is the one we call the world champion today.

Sorry, I meant with his relationship with Alonso and the general atmosphere. Not race incidents.

[McLaren Fan]

He won Silverstone...

Raikkonen won at Silverstone. It was Hamilton I was referring to in the above post, DD.