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[stonemonkey]

My guess would be that car and drivers could perform well enough to make an attempt but Mclaren will find some new and innovative way to throw away any chance.

[myownalias]

I predict Lewis will win one of the final two races.

Which year? it won't be this year; Jenson has been tinkering with Lewis' car... ejector seat installed!

Dont...... Didnt Mclaren do that to DC once, well not fix his seat in properly at least. Seem to remember him throwing a nut or bolt out the car on the grid in canada and he had a bit of a rough race.

It's entirely possible; McLaren have made lots of screw-ups over the years... I've been watching F1 since 1992 but don't remember that incident.

[stonemonkey]

I predict Lewis will win one of the final two races.

Which year? it won't be this year; Jenson has been tinkering with Lewis' car... ejector seat installed!

Dont...... Didnt Mclaren do that to DC once, well not fix his seat in properly at least. Seem to remember him throwing a nut or bolt out the car on the grid in canada and he had a bit of a rough race.

It's entirely possible; McLaren have made lots of screw-ups over the years... I've been watching F1 since 1992 but don't remember that incident.

This must be what I was thinking of:
http://www.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-r ... p/id/4640/

But I'm sure I remember some incident wth a loose seat too though.

[myownalias]

Not having your suspension attached would certain have an impact on the car's performance, top marks to Coulthard for electing to keep driving despite this!

[The Second Coming]

For the record, Martin Whitmarsh is the Team Principal for McLaren—I needed to say that because, as a leader, this is the latest petty position he takes on Lewis' departure:

"I hope he thinks today that he's made an awful mistake and I hope he thinks that next year," Whitmarsh told Formula One's official website. "He's made that decision and he has to live with that decision. I have known him since he was 11 and worked with him since his teens and I know we will both be very emotional after Brazil. We have had one or two emotional moments since the decision was taken and I believe, but you must ask him, that we have a very good relationship."

"I was surprised, but I was not shocked. He told me right after Singapore and I am pretty sure he hadn't made up his mind until after Singapore - the Monday or Tuesday after Singapore. I think it is always bad to make a decision in the aftermath of a bad race. He was pretty sure that he was going to win that race and it was a disappointment and as I just said it is never good to make a decision in such a situation. I respect his decision, but I believe that he would be better off with us - we are the stronger team - and we intend to beat him next year!"

"The simple answer is that I don't know. Lewis would be able to answer that question much better than me. If I were speculating there are a number of factors and the prime one, I think, is that there comes a time when a man feels he has to flee the nest. I think it was a bit of that and a range of different emotions. He has been with us for so many years that I do not fully understand it."

"You have to justify your decision. He is not going to say 'hey, they offered me more money'. He is also not going to say that he's made an awful mistake."

After the relentless disappointment Lewis has had to endure this season, Whitmarsh has Lewis' regrets all wrong. And it's amazing that instead of adhering to the high road, Whitmarsh takes the opposite route. Why not wish the lad well and leave it at that? Lord knows Whitmarsh and McLaren have a whole lot more to focus (and worry) on now with unreliabilty, no top driver in their seats and a what to do about a racing brand that has lost it's last greatest asset. I suppose this is the new McLaren way. Ron and the board should be proud of their new brand. Mark my words...Lewis is going to be on a mission, the kind that will make Whitmarsh very vulnerable. Ron's watching on very closely, Martin.

I'm just saying...

[vlad]

Maybe Hamilton un-followed him on Twitter.

[racechick]

Very petty. I'm sure Lewis could give more reasons why he decided to leave, and I'm sure Martin Whitmarsh is well aware what they are. But so far Lewis has declined to sling mud. It's clear to many people how isolated Lewis was in McLaren at the end, and its clear what some of the contributing factors to that are. Yes Martin, you've known Lewis since he was 11 years old, so you keep saying. Then don't play the fool about why he's leaving and don't act so petty now it's happened.

[What's Burning?]

Maybe Hamilton un-followed him on Twitter.

They will say worse things about Vettel when he moves to Ferrari.

[The Second Coming]

Maybe Hamilton un-followed him on Twitter.

They will say worse things about Vettel when he moves to Ferrari.

Hmm...debatable. Vettel's notoriety isn't as significant as Lewis in racing circles. Lewis is a far more polarizing figure in the sport. If Lewis puts on his left shoe before his right, it's in the papers and the pundits are questioning his motives/bias against the right shoe. Sure, people will likely say some stuff about Vettel, same as they did with Alonso, but worse than Lewis? Doubtful. Just my opinion of course.

I'm just saying...

[vlad]

Vettel avoids internet stuff, and that is very wise. IMO, Lewis is only doing himself harm with all the Twitter nonsense...

[What's Burning?]

Vettel avoids internet stuff, and that is very wise. IMO, Lewis is only doing himself harm with all the Twitter nonsense...

We weren't talking about the twitter nonsense though. We were talking about the low road apparently being taken by some at Mclaren, and I'm glad that so far Lewis has remained very high spirited and very positive about his future. As far as I'm concerned they can do their talking on the track next year.

[racechick]

Maybe Hamilton un-followed him on Twitter.

They will say worse things about Vettel when he moves to Ferrari.

Hmm...debatable. Vettel's notoriety isn't as significant as Lewis in racing circles. Lewis is a far more polarizing figure in the sport. If Lewis puts on his left shoe before his right, it's in the papers and the pundits are questioning his motives/bias against the right shoe. Sure, people will likely say some stuff about Vettel, same as they did with Alonso, but worse than Lewis? Doubtful. Just my opinion of course.

I'm just saying...

And just to enforce that point, in the Kimi thread was a lovely quote from Kimi when asked how long he would be celebrating his win. His reply was ...................I've got two weeks till the next race, so long as I turn up there the team will be happy. I might go home for a bit.

I love it. But can you imagine the flack if Hamilton said it? He had one night out last year and it was all over the papers with photographs and speculation.

I love Kimi's attitude. I hate double standards.

[racechick]

Vettel avoids internet stuff, and that is very wise. IMO, Lewis is only doing himself harm with all the Twitter nonsense...

We weren't talking about the twitter nonsense though. We were talking about the low road apparently being taken by some at Mclaren, and I'm glad that so far Lewis has remained very high spirited and very positive about his future. As far as I'm concerned they can do their talking on the track next year.

there are several sites running the story that Lewis has regrets, all based on Whitmarsh's comments. Lewis says no such thing.

[stonemonkey]

we are the stronger team - and we intend to beat him next year!

Is Whitmarsh saying he thinks Mclaren will be racing against Merc next year or that he just wants to rub Hamiltons nose in it?

[vlad]

Let's face it, current McLaren crew, except Sam Michael and a couple of others is C.R.A.P. Just compare them with other top teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes or Lotus. They are just not on the same level. That's what Hamilton will benefit the most by joining Mercedes. And, personally, I am glad to see him leave. It's just when that moment comes, and you know that it was enough and that you need a change. I support his move all the way. And I know he'll have great results in that car too. Don't forget, he is one of the 6 world champions.