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[woody2goody]

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?

[vegas]

Cause he got pole at his home gp? If Massa can consistently defeat Kimi then he would be the favorite.

[Denthúl]

I think it's because unlike the others he doesn't seem to be able to cut through the field if he starts way down the grid, and that he's been having a few troubles with the car during testing. Personally, I think Massa will have a great year, though Kimi will probably take the title again unless the McLaren car is close enough to the Ferrari at the start, given the fact that they froze development on some parts. But good luck to Felipe (and all the others, too) on March 16th

[umair_theheadliner]

well i think massa isnt that good as kimi, and i think lewis will take the title and i hope too, iff alonso failed

[SCHUEYISDABEST]

I dont think massa is good enough TBH. I don't think he is good enough at overtaking, or producing those "wonder" races such as Kimi did at Fuji last year etc.

[McLaren Fan]

I think it's because unlike the others he doesn't seem to be able to cut through the field if he starts way down the grid, and that he's been having a few troubles with the car during testing. Personally, I think Massa will have a great year, though Kimi will probably take the title again unless the McLaren car is close enough to the Ferrari at the start, given the fact that they froze development on some parts. But good luck to Felipe (and all the others, too) on March 16th

Most drivers are pretty fast these days because driving the cars is so much easier than it was twenty odd years ago. Even getting rid of traction control isn't the big deal the poor, hard done by modern drivers are trying to have us believe. As a result, any clown can go fast in a decent car. The real skill is in tactics, consistency and overtaking. Massa had none of those but has improved slightly since he's been talking to Michael Schumacher. The reason Massa was brought to Ferrari was so he could play tea-boy to Schumacher and would not be too much of a threat to Raikkonen, allowing Ferrari to pretend they have some form of driver equality. Raikkonen has settled in at Ferrari, got used to the car, the tyres etc. He should drill Massa in 2008.

[8-ball]

I think it's because unlike the others he doesn't seem to be able to cut through the field if he starts way down the grid, and that he's been having a few troubles with the car during testing. Personally, I think Massa will have a great year, though Kimi will probably take the title again unless the McLaren car is close enough to the Ferrari at the start, given the fact that they froze development on some parts. But good luck to Felipe (and all the others, too) on March 16th

Most drivers are pretty fast these days because driving the cars is so much easier than it was twenty odd years ago. Even getting rid of traction control isn't the big deal the poor, hard done by modern drivers are trying to have us believe. As a result, any clown can go fast in a decent car. The real skill is in tactics, consistency and overtaking. Massa had none of those but has improved slightly since he's been talking to Michael Schumacher. The reason Massa was brought to Ferrari was so he could play tea-boy to Schumacher and would not be too much of a threat to Raikkonen, allowing Ferrari to pretend they have some form of driver equality. Raikkonen has settled in at Ferrari, got used to the car, the tyres etc. He should drill Massa in 2008.

That Massa will be drilled by Kimi is what we all expect. Massa's problem is that he is not a racer but a qualifier. If he can get pole then he is almost certain to win the race (barring any unforeseen accidents or team orders) Where Kimi, Lewis and Alonso shine is at overtaking. Massa let slip a victory at the Nuremberg ring as Alonso is a superior racer. Unless he improves this then he will be spend the rest of his career playing second fiddle.

[texasmr2]

Massa let slip a victory at the Nuremberg ring as Alonso is a superior racer. Unless he improves this then he will be spend the rest of his career playing second fiddle.

Agreed and agreed. Massa had that race in hand but started feeling the pressure, making mistake's and driving with his rearview mirror's instead of focusing on driving smooth and consistantly.

[Harrelson]

Massa isn't as agressive as Kimi.

Remember were watching on TV and if a driver is always behind the next car, hassling and looking for a way to pass we assume he is much faster than a team-mate who's just matching the pace and showing no signs of overtaking (Massa)

[Jensonb]

It's because Kimi is a proven Championship contender and winner.

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

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.

[stonemonkey]

I don't recall him whining much except about the intrusion of the press but I agree that he is quite manipulative and he seemed to enjoy winding Alonso up on and off the track. Kovi's good but imo won't be able to keep up the consistency Hamilton showed for most of last year and I think their relationship'll be very different.

EDIT:
If someone was genuinely faster than him, I don't think Hamilton would have a problem and would work harder to try to beat him on the track. It was Alonso who didn't like being beaten by his team mate and started whining.

[racechick]

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

[bud]

Massa let slip a victory at the Nuremberg ring as Alonso is a superior racer. Unless he improves this then he will be spend the rest of his career playing second fiddle.

Agreed and agreed. Massa had that race in hand but started feeling the pressure, making mistake's and driving with his rearview mirror's instead of focusing on driving smooth and consistantly.

to be fair to massa there was nothing he could have done to stop Fernando there, Fernando's tyres were just in better shape and he was atleast .7 a lap faster after that last stop

[8-ball]

True but i think if it was Kimi instead of Massa in the same position then Alonso would have never got pass him. Massa is a good driver in a good car and it frustrates me that he is never performing to his full potential. If Kimi, lewis and even Kovi beat him this year then he will be never be considered Ferrari's future champion and that Ferrari seat that Alonso wants will be much closer.

[bud]

before that last stop Fernando was about 10 seconds behind and he reeled him in within a few laps and pulled away after passing him so i dont think anyone could have prevented that, the lap times tell the story not race craft.