Meh... Massa, shame... one thing comes to mind - Spinal Tap http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8539/11wv6.jpg
Don't bother Steve. Just let the haters fester during the coming months! By the way, why aren't you out partying?? There must be some great ones there in the UK tonight!
Bas, I think he did hold it together but cut it waaay to fine, IMO he had to tame his aggression and it showed, I'm convinced he would taken more risks under normal mid sesaon racing GP's, plus the fact he probably had the engine down a few notches, you have also got to take into consideration he had NO help from his team either. At the end of the day in the history books he won it, and it will be one of many IMO.
I think Hami's drive today was testimony of his newly learned controlled aggression. It'll be interesting to see Massa go against Hami next year again. Both drivers have learned huge lessons this year and both drivers still have to learn a lot.
Perhaps you weren't aware of it but the Formula 1 World Drivers Championship consists of EIGHTEEN races. You saw ONE of them today, and you want to award the title for the entire YEAR based on this one result? Nonsense. Hamilton won due to the culmination of the actions of the season. He won today precisely because he is a smart and seasoned driver. Massa won today and he deserved it wholeheartedly. But Lewis won the season and he deserved it wholeheartedly.
Steve, i fully respect your opinion and congratulate you on your favourite drivers' win of his first WCC (and indeed, it will be one of many!). but today he did 'lose' his chance when he ran wide and vettel could pass through....up until the point glock slowed down and let hambone through. Yes, hamilton is a worthy champion, i just wish that this year it was massa's. I'm sure you've also noted how much he has improved, and if it wasnt for BOTH (!) hamiltons penalty in spa and massa's engine blow up in hungary, things would be different. however, it is how it is and massa's time will come, not convinced yet if that will be next year (ferrari is apperently struggling with KERS, and my money at this time is on kubica next year).
Once Vettel gets a topnotch ride, LH won't win anymore, nor will Mass, Kimi, etc.....Vettel is the new Senna/Schumey, not LH or FM...
If Alonso continues developing the Renault and Vettel can turn Red Bull into a race winner like he did Toro Rosso then McLaren and Ferrari are in trouble in 09...
I remember when Hamilton won a couple of races and everyone said "he is the real deal!" and he will be in a Ferrari some day, winning WDC's. I remember when Rosberg had a coupel of good races and everyone said "he is the real deal!" and he will be in a Ferrari some day, winning WDC's. I remember when Sutil almost podium'ed at Monaco and people said "he is the real deal!" and he will be in a Ferrari some day, winning WDC's. I remember when Kubica won his first race masterfully and everyone said "he is the real deal!" and he will be in a Ferrari some day, winning WDC's. I remember when Alonso started to win at Renault and everyone said "he is the real deal!" and he will be in a Ferrari some day, winning WDC's. ...and on and on. People love to jump from bandwagon to bandwagon, and predict the next big thing. Remember earlier this year when Bourdais was doing so badly that people were saying they should cut him mid-season? And now he's doing pretty damn well. Since several races ago, the Minardi-come-RBR has performed very well. Many feel it is in large part due to the Ferrari engine, or possibly help from Ferrari on setup and tuning. But let us not forget that only a few months ago, Bourdais was a sucker who it was said didn't belong in F1 and Vettel was just another back marker who you didn't know anything about. Then they get some pace and suddenly Vettel is better than Hamilton (who has achieved more and performed better in every series than Vettel ever has), and Bourdais is a great mid-field driver. My, how quickly things change. I have never ranked Bourdais as much of a driver, and while Vettel is clearly better, it remains to be seen how good (or not) Vettel is in equal machinery to others. Hamilton had a detuned engine and was driving very gingerly, to say the least, looking out for the bigger picture. One lucky win and one good pass on a detuned McLaren do not a "multi-future WDC winner who is better than current WDC winners" make.
How can you say that - not only was he battling Ferrari all season he was fighting the FIA too (or are they the same thing?)!
SO glad it's over! Can we go back to a real life now? Read through this thread... "I cried", "I was chewing through my fingernails", "conspiracy", what a bunch of whining armchair quarterbacks. That was an amazing finale to an interesting season, either one would have been a deserving winner. Both had benefitted and suffered from past brain fades and mechanical gaffs. It's OVER, now go vote.....
Lucky win? From Pole Position and wire to wire victory? Lucky wins are HK in Hungary 2008. Toro Rosso has never had a podium and out-performed the "senior team". If I recall Vettel is both the youngest points winner (USGP 2007) and the youngest winner of a GP-you know, the one you were at??? Sorry Mike, but your passion is clouding your reasoning....
After all the BS of this year involving the FIA and their ridiuclous penalties, the Montreal mess for 2009, etc I was ready to dump my sport for good. But F1 put on a thriller for the ages today - that was the most dramatic, tense finale to a race I have ever seen. I will be smiling all winter over the fact that F1 - the sport I truly love - did exactly what we come to expect. It was high speed drama right to the end. Hamilton winning the title will raise the profile of F1 worldwide, alot more than Massa. (No disrespect to Felippe) It's no fun if one team wins every year....the Schumacher era became boring as hell..... Salut to Hamiltion/McLaren; Massa/Ferrari - as Steve Machett likes to say 'Well Done Boys!'.......... Kevin S. Orchard Park, NY
