388 replies to this topic

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

There are some rumors of LH going to MB now... He can't handle JB?

Source of this rumor? Eddie Jordan.

So yeah, as Will Buxton said, "I'll believe it when Mercedes forces Hamilton to remove a tweet of the signed contract"

[Redliner]

Source of this rumor? Eddie Jordan.

So yeah, as Will Buxton said, "I'll believe it when Mercedes forces Hamilton to remove a tweet of the signed contract"

Oh. well nevermind!

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Oh. well nevermind!

Usually if Autosport bothers to put it up under "grapevine" then it's a bit less bogus:

http://www.autosport...e.php/id/102253

di Resta to Macca? Would be a huge promotion for the guy.

On a side note, a good piece by Will Buxton on the current state of looking for the next Vettel and how it could all end in tears:

http://willthef1jour...rlying-problem/

[Nacho]

There are some rumors of LH going to MB now... He can't handle JB?

Seems more negotiation tactic than anything. Mercedes hasn't even come close to producing cars at McLaren's level since they took over brawngp, so if Lewis wants more than just the biggest paycheck possible, he's better off staying put.

Additionally, looking at all but the fist and most recent races this year, its pretty obvious that Lewis has Jenson covered.

[Redliner]

Seems more negotiation tactic than anything. Mercedes hasn't even come close to producing cars at McLaren's level since they took over brawngp, so if Lewis wants more than just the biggest paycheck possible, he's better off staying put.

Additionally, looking at all but the fist and most recent races this year, its pretty obvious that Lewis has Jenson covered.

Besides the setup issues JB has had during the middle part of the season, JB has a much stronger head on his shoulders. Not once did he complain publicly b/c he had a slower car, for whatever reason. And once the car was right again, he was right back on pace. That's not something many drivers can do...And Button had LH all of last year.

[Nacho]

Besides the setup issues JB has had during the middle part of the season, JB has a much stronger head on his shoulders. Not once did he complain publicly b/c he had a slower car, for whatever reason. And once the car was right again, he was right back on pace. That's not something many drivers can do...And Button had LH all of last year.

And Lewis had Jenson in 2010. As well, Jenson complains about the car when it doesn't suit him, then throws his hands up as well. And if you count in the points lost for Lewis by the team this year, he's got an even better handle on Jens.

I like Jenson, that's always been pretty obvious, but to say that Lewis would run from his challenge as a teammate is pretty shaky if you look at it objectively.

[Redliner]

And Lewis had Jenson in 2010. As well, Jenson complains about the car when it doesn't suit him, then throws his hands up as well. And if you count in the points lost for Lewis by the team this year, he's got an even better handle on Jens.

I like Jenson, that's always been pretty obvious, but to say that Lewis would run from his challenge as a teammate is pretty shaky if you look at it objectively.

I guess it's all perspective. To me, Jenson complains about a car issue, LH complains about a team issue...then of course posts shits on Twitter

And I'm not necessarily saying he'll run...but I have a feeling the whole 'fair-teammate' issue wears on LH more than JB when LH can't produce results. He's extremely hard on himself.

[vietlol]

LH to Ferrari!

[Nacho]

LH to Ferrari!

It'd certainly be interesting to see him against Fred in a straight fight again.

[Nacho]

I guess it's all perspective. To me, Jenson complains about a car issue, LH complains about a team issue...then of course posts shits on Twitter

And I'm not necessarily saying he'll run...but I have a feeling the whole 'fair-teammate' issue wears on LH more than JB when LH can't produce results. He's extremely hard on himself.

Jenson's lack of points come from the inability to manhandle the car and 'taking the wrong direction' with setup for most of the season.

Lewis has lost more points to Maldanado and pit stop errors than pretty much anyone else on the grid who isn't currently driving over at Mercedes.

[Redliner]

I think FA has already said "no" to LH while FA is at Ferrari...

Anytime i see this kind of rebuttal in the media among the driver and teams, it usually means the rumors are true. Plus, if I were McLaren trying to fill LH's seat, I'd go for Perez over DiR.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

I think FA has already said "no" to LH while FA is at Ferrari...

Anytime i see this kind of rebuttal in the media among the driver and teams, it usually means the rumors are true. Plus, if I were McLaren trying to fill LH's seat, I'd go for Perez over DiR.

They would have to buy out Perez's contract from arch rival Ferrari, whereas DiResta is contracted to Mercedes.

[Nacho]

They would have to buy out Perez's contract from arch rival Ferrari, whereas DiResta is contracted to Mercedes.

This.

DiResta makes more sense. But then again, Mercedes and McLaren aren't tied up anymore, so his linkup with Mercedes could even hinder that move. Also, I think Hulk has been doing a better job than DiR.

Either way, I don't think Lewis is leaving, no other team with seats is as or more competitive. I think it's posturing by his XIX management team for more cash.

[Nacho]

Speaking of Hulk and DiResta, apparently the latest is that Hulk is going to Ferrari if they drop Massa.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/102285

[TimzSI]

Doing some postulating...

If Fred didn't have his bad luck at Spa, Lewis didn't have battle with Maldonado in Spain or his Spa incident, and Vettel didn't break down today or in Spain, I feel like Fred would be just ahead of Vettel and Lewis who would be just about tied. Webber right behind them.


Fred is having a fast year. He and Lewis are the only two drivers with three wins apiece, I think the first to four is going to be interesting, and the first to 5 might win the whole thing eventually.

[Nacho]

I'll be shocked if Perez isn't at a top team in 2 seasons, at most.

[Redliner]

Wait...so they still do the original interviews after the podium??

[cASe SenSiTive]

Speaking of Hulk and DiResta, apparently the latest is that Hulk is going to Ferrari if they drop Massa.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/102285

That makes no sense. The rumored reason they wouldn't go with Perez was only because of his limited F1 experience.

Unless they think Perez is too talented to play #2 to Fred, while Hulk would be content to be a good little soldier and just pick up points in support of the #1 guy.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Wait...so they still do the original interviews after the podium??

yes, speed just doesn't show it anymore though.

scroll down for transcript:
http://www.autosport...t.php/id/102424

[chiuey]

yes, speed just doesn't show it anymore though.

scroll down for transcript:
http://www.autosport...t.php/id/102424

I don't think it's just Speed, they don't show them here in Asia as well, not sure about in the UK, Down Under or the rest of Europe...

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Rest in peace Dr. Sid Watkins.

[Redliner]

Crazy thought but...

Does anyone think that the Sauber might actually be the fastest car on the grid?

It's fastest at the end of the race with their tanks light, it's easy as hell on the tires and has the ability to reel in other cars at damn near a second above the rest of the grid when they get their setup right for the race and qualifies quite well too...perhaps Sauber's lack of money doesn't allow it to stay at the sharp end of the grid, but I have a feeling it's actually the fastest car here...

Thoughts?

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Crazy thought but...

Does anyone think that the Sauber might actually be the fastest car on the grid?

It's fastest at the end of the race with their tanks light, it's easy as hell on the tires and has the ability to reel in other cars at damn near a second above the rest of the grid when they get their setup right for the race and qualifies quite well too...perhaps Sauber's lack of money doesn't allow it to stay at the sharp end of the grid, but I have a feeling it's actually the fastest car here...

Thoughts?

Pulled the Ferrari at 1s/lap, at the end when Ferrari was nursing their tires so they wouldn't drop off the cliff (3-4s a lap deficit once they drop off the cliff). I'm sure Hambone had him covered if needed. If you're comparing outright pace, Q3 quali is still the best measure. If you're comparing overall race pace (assuming that both Sauber and McLaren could race without any traffic) I'd say it's probably not that close between the two teams. Same fuel level and same tire freshnesses, the IMO McLaren is still faster. Sauber might make it a closer race due to better tire deg at certain tracks where the delta between 1 vs. 2 pitstops is marginal.

[Redliner]

Pulled the Ferrari at 1s/lap, at the end when Ferrari was nursing their tires so they wouldn't drop off the cliff (3-4s a lap deficit once they drop off the cliff). I'm sure Hambone had him covered if needed. If you're comparing outright pace, Q3 quali is still the best measure. If you're comparing overall race pace (assuming that both Sauber and McLaren could race without any traffic) I'd say it's probably not that close between the two teams. Same fuel level and same tire freshnesses, the IMO McLaren is still faster. Sauber might make it a closer race due to better tire deg at certain tracks where the delta between 1 vs. 2 pitstops is marginal.

It's a double edged sword, isn't it? Its ability to be easy on its tires throughout the race really allows it to take advantage of their speed at the end of the race. But I think their Q3 pace is compromised because they probably don't generate enough heat in the tires on those 2-3 laps as compared to a race on a heavier fuel load.

Conversely, the MB was fast in quali at the beginning of the season b/c it heated its tires up so quickly in quali, but ate the hell out of them in race trim.

[DrDickAction]

It's also hard to separate the driver...is perez just that superbly gentle on his tires? I don't remember seeing kobi making up 4 or 5 places late in races this year....