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[texasmr2]

Yah your right bud as Massa's tire's were gone and it was just a matter of time before Alonso got around him. No matter how smooth a driver is Massa's tire's had no grip thus he was doomed and Alonso's overtaking skill's are second to none of the current field of driver's.

[Jensonb]

Well put stonemonkey.
To Jensonb-
Lewis has beaten plenty of quick team mates prior to F1, and you dont consider Alonso rapid? He kept very quiet most of the season while Alonso was ranting and only gave back towards the end of the season. Ron has worked with Lewis since he was about 15. I imagine he has a much better idea what he's getting into than you or i could guess at, and on that basis he has just signed him for the next five years

No, you misunderstand. I'm saying Hamilton didn't do very well in a team sense with Fernando next to him so I doubt he will with another fast teammate.

[texasmr2]

No, you misunderstand. I'm saying Hamilton didn't do very well in a team sense with Fernando next to him so I doubt he will with another fast teammate.

Lewis and Fernando's personalities clashed and Lewis, imho, cant stand a crybaby like Fernando. Lewis also imho is more of a true competitor and sportsman than Fernando and let's the on-track result's speak for themself. Lewis and Heikki have to much in common in the whole sense of the word to let the petty BS happen that Fernando allowed and instigated. Lewis let his performance speak for him which is something Fernando did not do.

Lewis will only be stronger this season and more of a threat and if his setup is not on par with Heikki's I think he will be very happy for the team as a whole if Heikki beat's him fair and square. We wont witness the "oh good job mate" pat on the back Lewis and Fernando gave each other we will most likely see a true joy toward's each other's performance. They are both true gentleman racer's imho and that combination may turnout to be unbeatable?

[stonemonkey]

No, you misunderstand. I'm saying Hamilton didn't do very well in a team sense with Fernando next to him so I doubt he will with another fast teammate.

You could quite easily switch the two names around in that quote, as texasmr2 said they clashed. Fernando has got on well with other team mates as has Hamilton although not in F1 yet as Alonso has been his only team mate so there's not really anything to judge that opinion on.

[McLaren Fan]

Incidentally, I think Kovi will spring a surprise on Lewis.

I think so too. Kovalainen took a while to settle in and the Renault takes some getting used to. I think he will be a great driver for McLaren. Interestingly, the great Alain Prost said the same thing today.

Who I imagine will whine to the British press that McLaren is Finn-biased, leading Ron to have to bias towards Lewis whether he likes it or not for fear of angering the British Tabloid Press (ITV-F1 included) and losing fans.

Lewis may be quick, but I wonder if Ron really knows what he's getting himself into with him. So far he's seemed very adept at manipulating people and events to his own favour, even when he's in the wrong. I'm not talking about being ruthless on-track, I mean he's a team-breaker.

He lies and puts forth half-truths, disobeys direct orders from those in charge and he conducts his battles in the press. I doubt he could ever truly accept parity with an equally rapid, or even more rapid, teammate.

I agree as well. Hamilton looks to portray some whiter-than-white image, but he's done a one or two things which would suggest otherwise. It's too early to say for sure, but something to keep an eye on. In terms of his relationship with Alonso, there were mitigating circumstances. Alonso was genuinely being an asshole and was conducted a media campaign against Hamilton and McLaren. It would be difficult for Hamilton not say anything. Also, given the hype around Hamilton, he was always going to be in the press. For now, I'll give Hamilton the benefit of the doubt.

Massa is a good driver in a good car and it frustrates me that he is never performing to his full potential.

Disagree. Although he's learned a lot from Schumacher, he does not have the same quality as Alonso, Raikkonen (who I would actually argue could perform better) et al.

No, you misunderstand. I'm saying Hamilton didn't do very well in a team sense with Fernando next to him so I doubt he will with another fast teammate.

Lewis and Fernando's personalities clashed and Lewis, imho, cant stand a crybaby like Fernando. Lewis also imho is more of a true competitor and sportsman than Fernando and let's the on-track result's speak for themself. Lewis and Heikki have to much in common in the whole sense of the word to let the petty BS happen that Fernando allowed and instigated. Lewis let his performance speak for him which is something Fernando did not do.

Lewis will only be stronger this season and more of a threat and if his setup is not on par with Heikki's I think he will be very happy for the team as a whole if Heikki beat's him fair and square. We wont witness the "oh good job mate" pat on the back Lewis and Fernando gave each other we will most likely see a true joy toward's each other's performance. They are both true gentleman racer's imho and that combination may turnout to be unbeatable?

Kovalainen and Hamilton are known to get on well. Aside from their skill, them getting alone will be good for McLaren. Look how well the team did last season, despite being attacked from the outside and having an internecine war. It can only make McLaren stronger.

[stonemonkey]

Hmmm, this thread had absolutely nothing to do with Hamilton until someone decided to inject some negative comments about him.

While I agree that he shouldn't be compared to the likes of schumacher or anyone as has been done in the media at times it does look like there is one very striking similarity, anyone who isn't a fan of his really doesn't like him and sticks the boot in whenever they can.

[texasmr2]

Hmmm, this thread had absolutely nothing to do with Hamilton until someone decided to inject some negative comments about him.

That's when one's say's "hey can we stick to the topic at hand" which anyone can do.

While I agree that he shouldn't be compared to the likes of schumacher or anyone as has been done in the media at times it does look like there is one very striking similarity, anyone who isn't a fan of his really doesn't like him and sticks the boot in whenever they can.

Welcome to HELL I'll be your tour guide !

[Jensonb]

Hmmm, this thread had absolutely nothing to do with Hamilton until someone decided to inject some negative comments about him.

While I agree that he shouldn't be compared to the likes of schumacher or anyone as has been done in the media at times it does look like there is one very striking similarity, anyone who isn't a fan of his really doesn't like him and sticks the boot in whenever they can.

To be fair, the original post discusses both Raikkonen/Massa and Hamilton and Kovi (Though separately), just not in identical contexts:

After looking at a number of polls on several websites about who will be the 2008 world drivers' champion, an interesting trend has come to light.

Raikkonen is the overwhelming favourite, with Lewis Hamilton quite a way behind. However, many people have gone for Alonso over Kovalainen, Massa and Heidfeld, despite the latter three having what seems like a better car.

My main point is: if so many people think Kimi will win, why are they near enough ignoring his team-mate who has an identical car, and has proved he can defeat Raikkonen in qualifying and over a Grand Prix distance?

[woody2goody]

Hmmm, this thread had absolutely nothing to do with Hamilton until someone decided to inject some negative comments about him.

While I agree that he shouldn't be compared to the likes of schumacher or anyone as has been done in the media at times it does look like there is one very striking similarity, anyone who isn't a fan of his really doesn't like him and sticks the boot in whenever they can.

To be fair, the original post discusses both Raikkonen/Massa and Hamilton and Kovi (Though separately), just not in identical contexts:

After looking at a number of polls on several websites about who will be the 2008 world drivers' champion, an interesting trend has come to light.

Raikkonen is the overwhelming favourite, with Lewis Hamilton quite a way behind. However, many people have gone for Alonso over Kovalainen, Massa and Heidfeld, despite the latter three having what seems like a better car.

My main point is: if so many people think Kimi will win, why are they near enough ignoring his team-mate who has an identical car, and has proved he can defeat Raikkonen in qualifying and over a Grand Prix distance?

Yeah I was getting at the fact that Massa seemed to be overlooked even over Alonso who's car is much slower.

As to sticking the boot in to Hamilton, I think people do seem to try to bring him down, but in my opinion he shouldn't have been built up quite as much as he has been. He is a fantastic driver and has acclimatised to F1 very quickly, but he was generally slower than Fernando throughout the year, and they finished equal on points at the end. Lewis didn't beat Alonso despite finishing above him in the championship.

i didn't condone Alonso's antics last year, and that's partly why I think people used to give Schumacher some stick. I personally liked him as a driver and wish he was still racing from a driving point of view, but not a sporting point of view. This was because of his antics and his occasional cheating. Not because I think he wasn't a great driver. However, one should not resort to such blatant gamesmanship when he is dominant as it is. It would be like Tiger Woods being ten strokes ahead in the final round and trying to move the ball nearer the hole when no-one is looking. Stupid.

I do agree with what people are saying about Massa being seemingly incapable of cutting through the field. However one of these races was in Hungary and you have to be lucky with strategy and clear track there.

[Lem]

On his day Massa is as good as anyone. However, he is simply not consistent enough in races.

[f1ea]

Well, Kimi and Alonso are WDCs so its only 'natural' to be considered again in 2008; Alonso is probably gets a 'hope' vote, but most people know he will not seriously contend this year. And everyone who likes Mclaren will vote for Lewis so there you go...

Anyway, Massa has had some great races and 1 very good come from behind race (but this was after he stalled it in the start). Other than that, he has had good results, some really nice passes, qualy etc but not enough to be considered for WDC yet (specially not against Kimi!)

Personally I hope Massa can deliver this year, but I wouldn't rate him higher than Kimi or Lewis.

[8-ball]

On his day Massa is as good as anyone. However, he is simply not consistent enough in races.

and that is why he is not rated for the title