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[CookinFlat6]

[What's Burning?]

Nothing new in the first part of this Zanardi interview, but a very interesting finish. I've always been harsh on Vettel and Raikkonen, IMO how someone drives a mediocre car tells me a hell of a lot more about their driving skills than how they drive a great car.

Two drivers that lost big this year up against one another. If a reported 72 million dollar a year salary between these two isn't enough to motivate them to race then they don't belong in the sport.

PlanetF1 Hamilton won 11 of the 19 races this year to win the Drivers' Championship ahead of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, joining Alonso and several other legends on two World titles.

The fight between the two Mercedes drivers went down to the wire though with Hamilton only securing the Championship in the season finale, but Zanardi believes he was a deserving champion.

Speaking to F1 journalist Leo Turrini, he said: "Honestly, I believe that the outcome of the last Formula 1 World Championship was right. I am not talking about the machinery, I am talking about the driver. In my opinion, Hamilton is the best of those on the grid at the moment. Perhaps the only one who comes close to him is Alonso. But I think Lewis is a step above."

Another major talking point this campaign was the struggles of four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull. Vettel, though, will have a new team next year as he has moved onto Ferrari where he will partner Kimi Raikkonen.

Zanardi, who lost both his legs in a CART accident in 2001, but went on to win Paralympic gold at the 2012 London Games, told Turrini's blog.quotidiano.net that the Vettel and Raikkonen partnership will be interesting.

"I think Vettel is a great driver, maybe not at the level of Hamilton or Alonso, however, we are talking about a very very competitive driver, who will surely get to Maranello with the right spirit."

He added: "Apart from the car, which of course remains important, it will be interesting to see how Vettel and Raikkonen will react to the latest experiences in 2015. Let me explain. In 2014, Seb was put under by [Daniel] Ricciardo. Similarly Kimi declined significantly compared to [former Ferrari team-mate] Fernando. How will they adapt to a machine that we are told will not be the fastest? It will be very interesting to see their performance."

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm looking forward to seeing these two together next year. Comparing them both alongside one another will be quite fascinating. I wonder if either of them rise or fall in peoples' opinions over the course of the season?

[CookinFlat6]

Its a lose lose situation for Seb, if he spanks Kimi - then we all know Kimi is as useless as he was the previous year, but if Seb doesnt spank him, matches him or is beaten then its over and the Tifosi will boo him out the door. Ricc and Kyviat will spank both Ferraris which will only make Seb look even worse, as Alonso last year matched Seb at RBR fequently

There is no evidence either Seb or Kimi can eke out results in a crap car like Alonso did, therfore we would expect Ferraris table position to drop a couple of spaces if all was the same as last year

However we are told 2015 will be even worse relative to the others than 2014

Could be the kind of career suicide for Seb that many were wishing upon Lewis

[What's Burning?]

This isn't a Ferrari thread but my guess is we'll see them struggle for fifth place more likely winding up in 6th next year with neither Vettel nor Raikkonen breaking into the top five in the WDC.

Such fun!

[racechick]

I'd Say if it comes down to willpower, tenacity, then I'd give it to Vettel. If it comes down to driving skill, then it's a tough call and depends on the how the characteristics of the car suit either driver. It will be very interesting.

[CookinFlat6]

In a perfect car I would agree RC. Seb would be at his best in a perfect 2 sec car. He would be competitive with Nico, would probably be more ruthless and clinical and would likely smash kimi and maybe match Ricc who can be sloppy especially at starts etc

But in a dog of a car the stats lover will have no appetite or stomach for prolonged sideways developed car and thats when we see the excuses, and the errors and the sulks and the frustration where a guy like Ricc or Kimi just wouldnt have

One thing we know is that Ferrari have managed to go backwards from last year and so it looks like Seb and Kimi could be evenly matched as mediocre Button type drivers - capable when the car and conditions are perfect or when there are contract negotiations, but not able to conjure something from nothing all the time like Alonso and Lewis

I think this battle will be even more dour and uninspiring than last year, McBattle will be the one to watch just to see a craftsman like the Spaniard wring every drop out of the team and how he keeps his new Massa in line

[Hammer278]

This is indeed an interesting pairing to watch, epic losers of 2014 now going head to head in the same machinery.

if Kimi beats Vettel, the 4X WDCs become the cheapest in history....if Vettel beats Kimi, by right it should end Kimis career. but this is Ferrari, so who knows....Kimi might get a payrise at the end.

[What's Burning?]

If Kimi beats him then I think the consensus will be that it's Seb's first year and the car is geared towards Kimi's liking and it's to be expected. To use Kimi's favorite line, let's wait and see.