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[McLaren Fan]

I find your third point especially ambivalent: that would be an excuse for ANY driver to let his teammate through, a card blanche so to speak.

Kovalainen has been given equal equipment and treatment to Hamilton. He has had a fair crack at the whip and, for one reason or another, has not got the job done and blown his title chances. If Kovalainen was still in with a realistic chance of winning the title, he would not have allowed Hamilton past so easily. It was the only sensible thing to do for the benefit of McLaren as a whole (including himself, for Raikkonen was not far down in the road in a pretty quick Ferrari). What did not happen was some sort of Ferrari-Schumacher-esque plan, whereby at the start of the season, McLaren anointed Hamilton the number one driver and decided that Kovalainen was to be his team.

[darwin dali]

What did not happen was some sort of Ferrari-Schumacher-esque plan, whereby at the start of the season, McLaren anointed Hamilton the number one driver and decided that Kovalainen was to be his team.

I think the price tag and AH did this anyway.

[racechick]

What did not happen was some sort of Ferrari-Schumacher-esque plan, whereby at the start of the season, McLaren anointed Hamilton the number one driver and decided that Kovalainen was to be his team.

I think the price tag and AH did this anyway.

Price tag? You earn your price tag. Last year lewis was on peanuts

[8-ball]

I find your third point especially ambivalent: that would be an excuse for ANY driver to let his teammate through, a card blanche so to speak.

Kovalainen has been given equal equipment and treatment to Hamilton. He has had a fair crack at the whip and, for one reason or another, has not got the job done and blown his title chances. If Kovalainen was still in with a realistic chance of winning the title, he would not have allowed Hamilton past so easily. It was the only sensible thing to do for the benefit of McLaren as a whole (including himself, for Raikkonen was not far down in the road in a pretty quick Ferrari). What did not happen was some sort of Ferrari-Schumacher-esque plan, whereby at the start of the season, McLaren anointed Hamilton the number one driver and decided that Kovalainen was to be his team.

Of course he has been giving a fair chance and any sane team principal would see that Lewis is the main driver and so should be allowed to win the races however I don't see how Lewis getting in front of Heikki is to Heikki's benefit. Points are at stake for Heikki and even though he isn't in the title race Lewis should prove he is senna-esque and pass heikki properly. That way we wouldn't be having this discussion

[McLaren Fan]

Of course he has been giving a fair chance and any sane team principal would see that Lewis is the main driver and so should be allowed to win the races however I don't see how Lewis getting in front of Heikki is to Heikki's benefit. Points are at stake for Heikki and even though he isn't in the title race Lewis should prove he is senna-esque and pass heikki properly. That way we wouldn't be having this discussion

With Hamilton and Kovalainen squabbling over petty points, the door would have been wide open for Raikkonen to attack the two of them and another red car would have nabbed an undeserved win.

[racechick]

Of course he has been giving a fair chance and any sane team principal would see that Lewis is the main driver and so should be allowed to win the races however I don't see how Lewis getting in front of Heikki is to Heikki's benefit. Points are at stake for Heikki and even though he isn't in the title race Lewis should prove he is senna-esque and pass heikki properly. That way we wouldn't be having this discussion

With Hamilton and Kovalainen squabbling over petty points, the door would have been wide open for Raikkonen to attack the two of them and another red car would have nabbed an undeserved win.

Exactly. And Lewis had far greater speed.

[racechick]

Sorry Computer gremlins.

Fixed - DD.

[McLaren Fan]

So, you weren't just trying to emphasise your point then?

[darwin dali]

What did not happen was some sort of Ferrari-Schumacher-esque plan, whereby at the start of the season, McLaren anointed Hamilton the number one driver and decided that Kovalainen was to be his team.

I think the price tag and AH did this anyway.

Price tag? You earn your price tag. Last year lewis was on peanuts

Sure. I'm simply saying that McLaren has invested way more in LH than HK, so that makes him the number one driver by default. McLaren is just sneaky about it while Ferrari did it openly with MS.

[Mikep99]

McLaren have always let their drivers race at this stage of the season, or later. For example, Coulthard was allowed to win the 1999 Belgian Grand Prix, despite it making Hakkinen's title chase a little tricky. You also have to consider other factors. First, Hamilton needed to pull out a big gap to Massa so he could pit and get out ahead of him. He was also to do this on the softer tyres, which McLaren and Hamilton are famous for chewing up. Being behind another car makes increases your tyre ware, due to sliding etc.. Basically, Hamilton's strategy would have been buggered, not even getting so much as a podium, and Massa would have stolen an undeserved win. Second, Formula One is a team game. Kovalainen has not done the job this season and has virtually no chance of winning the title. McLaren have to look after their own interests in terms of both titles and keeping their profile high, particular at Mercedes' home Grand Prix. Third, Kovalainen would have been slower fending off Hamilton, which would actually damage his own interests. Kovalainen was absolutely right to allow Hamilton to pass so easily.

I'll refer to this your post when down the road people are screaming foul if Ferrari pulls such a stunt.

But it's DIFFERENT DD don't you see.

MF is so delusional he really believes his own crap. And I think what is worce is that he really thinks we are all STUPID

[texasmr2]

McLaren have always let their drivers race at this stage of the season, or later. For example, Coulthard was allowed to win the 1999 Belgian Grand Prix, despite it making Hakkinen's title chase a little tricky. You also have to consider other factors. First, Hamilton needed to pull out a big gap to Massa so he could pit and get out ahead of him. He was also to do this on the softer tyres, which McLaren and Hamilton are famous for chewing up. Being behind another car makes increases your tyre ware, due to sliding etc.. Basically, Hamilton's strategy would have been buggered, not even getting so much as a podium, and Massa would have stolen an undeserved win. Second, Formula One is a team game. Kovalainen has not done the job this season and has virtually no chance of winning the title. McLaren have to look after their own interests in terms of both titles and keeping their profile high, particular at Mercedes' home Grand Prix. Third, Kovalainen would have been slower fending off Hamilton, which would actually damage his own interests. Kovalainen was absolutely right to allow Hamilton to pass so easily.

I'll refer to this your post when down the road people are screaming foul if Ferrari pulls such a stunt.

But it's DIFFERENT DD don't you see.

MF is so delusional he really believes his own crap. And I think what is worce is that he really thinks we are all STUPID

Buckle up folk's the ride is about to get ugly!

[darwin dali]

Asked a girl what she wanted to be
She said baby, can't you see
I wanna be famous, a star on the screen
But you can do something in between

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

I told that girl that my prospects were good
And she said baby, it's understood
Working for peanuts is all very fine
But I can show you a better time

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

I told that girl I can start right away
When she said listen babe I got something to say
I got no car and it's breaking my heart
But I found a driver and that's a start

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah
Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

[Denthúl]

Of course he has been giving a fair chance and any sane team principal would see that Lewis is the main driver and so should be allowed to win the races however I don't see how Lewis getting in front of Heikki is to Heikki's benefit. Points are at stake for Heikki and even though he isn't in the title race Lewis should prove he is senna-esque and pass heikki properly. That way we wouldn't be having this discussion

With Hamilton and Kovalainen squabbling over petty points, the door would have been wide open for Raikkonen to attack the two of them and another red car would have nabbed an undeserved win.

Erm, no, Piquet would have won.

[racechick]

Of course he has been giving a fair chance and any sane team principal would see that Lewis is the main driver and so should be allowed to win the races however I don't see how Lewis getting in front of Heikki is to Heikki's benefit. Points are at stake for Heikki and even though he isn't in the title race Lewis should prove he is senna-esque and pass heikki properly. That way we wouldn't be having this discussion

With Hamilton and Kovalainen squabbling over petty points, the door would have been wide open for Raikkonen to attack the two of them and another red car would have nabbed an undeserved win.

Erm, no, Piquet would have won.

Yes he would! i was thinking that when they kept saying who will win Lewis or massa?

[Mikep99]

Hey I just realized I spelt worse wrong.
MF is right I must be STUPID