Hamilton deserves more respect

He meant to tag Bottas instead.

 

IMO Schumachers' move from Benetton to Ferrari was mega ballsy. He left the team that he won 2 championships with, and that season no less, to a team that was hopeless shambles and totally disorganized. I remain it was a shame that Ferrari didn't keep the V12 for another season at least, as Schumacher LOVED that V12 and the torque of it. With his driving style he found it way easier to drive and manipulate with the throttle.

 

It may be that neither Schumacher, nor Vettel were left with many options?

Schumacher "retired" and left Ferrari to race Superbikes in Germany (where he got hurt apparently).
Having turned his back on F1, 3 years later he changed his mind and wanted to come back.
But, the previous summer, Schumacher had turned down a one-off drive for Ferrari to replace an injured driver.
Going to Mercedes after his career break was possibly forced on Schumacher by Ferrari simply not considering rehiring him.

At RB, Vettel benefited from total management support, at the expense of Webber, who was treated differently and finally left..
Thanks to Adrian Newey, their association wons 8 titles over 4 years.
Next came the hybrid formula, and Ricciardo as new team mate. Catastrophe, Vettel couldnt adapt to the "lift and coast" technique and had a bare seaspon,.
Suddenly at Red Bull the focus switched from Vettel to Ricciardo who delivered them 3 GP wins (the ONLY non-Mercedes driver).
After loosing his Number One spot, Vettel realised that it was time for him to start looking for another team, not to get the bum treatment like Webber.
With his 4 recent titles, Vettel had no problem convincing Ferrari that he was a better man than Alonso, a rival he had beaten twice already.
Lifetime ambition to drive for Ferrari? It's a nice story, butI have my doubts.

Why should Hamilton and Mercedes stop their association, as long as both sides benefit from it?

 

He's broken just about every record already... try a new challenge, and if he's so wonderful, help build up a struggling team the way Shumi did with Ferrari back in the day.

 

And as Vettel tried to do, albeit unsuccessfully. Putting a stake in the ground and betting on himself like that is something that deserves more respect.

 

Michael had the minerals to sacrifice at least 4 x WDC's in that move.

 

Michael had nothing left to prove and was happy to help his friends at Mercedes with development, plus a bit of fun.

Hamilton & Rosberg have reaped the benefit of that Schumacher, Brawn, Costa hybrid development which Merc had commenced in 2007.

 

Yep. He had an offer from Williams at the time and very nearly signed for them for 96 onwards. Also a BIG offer on the table from Mclaren (contrary to popular believe he did get on really well with the Mclaren-Mercedes guys).

 

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" they say

Some people here dream nothing better than watch the downfall of one of the most successful drivers ever

Truly pathetic

 

Schumacher was supposed to race the Ferrari - but because of his Bike injury he could not cope with the G force on his neck. so had to sit it out. .... LDM caused Schumacher to leave... shame on him.

Hamilton at Ferrari would be a disaster:

1. Hamilton would not conform to the Italian way - and Ferrari's marketing etc...
2. Hamilton would have difficulty with the language / lifestyle... this is not a german team based in the UK, its all Italian, lifestyle and communication are different. Both Leclerc and Sainz know and understand the Latin way -and speak the language... that really helps when you can think in the other language. the official English is fine, but the relationships don't work well if you cant speak the lingo.
3. Ferrari will not like the Lifestyle of Hamilton, but I think they could be made to adapt to a point. the fashion, etc... let along political stance is not in their DNA.
4. Cost - Hamilton would cost them $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I just don't see that happening. Phillip Morris would find it hard to use a Vegan, environmentalist to promote any tobacco products.

 

I have been a Hamilton defender in the past, but this year, I find it harder to do so. It's the lack of concern shown at the UK GP that really put me over. The outspoken racial stuff... ok I get it, but I also don't see what he is personally doing... and then the behavior off track with all the fashion, and travel, cars etc... it's not like he's living what he preaches. at least to me.

But I do like that he acknowledges those that don't support him. good for him. He's a paradox. I think his comments at the Belgian GP, and after - are pretty bold- given that he's reaping huge $$$ from F-1. ... I think he may be believing his own press... which is dangerous

 

One thing is sure, Ferrari will never paint its F1 cars black, as Mercedes so ridiculously did. Not in a billion years and not for a billion bucks.
When the Pope died, back in 2005, and for remembering the victims of 9-11,the cars got a black nose, for one weekend.

Silver arrows are silver arrows.

 

It is too late in Lewis' career for him to do that.

 

You have to admit, the cars look good in black...........

 

Helping build a team is certainly no requirement to be wonderful. Thats what team managers are hired for. Many great past champions have not help build a team.

 

You failed at trying to paint the picture of a hopeless Ferrari team. Ferrari was the 3rd best car on the grid and won before Schumacher came. They also finished on the podium regularly, before he came. A team in shambles would be considered Jordan, Footwork etc.

 

Do you remember the UOP Shadow F1 cars back in the days? Or the Interscope Kremer Porsche 935 in endurance?

There were all black and looked fabulous

Racers or spectators, everybody was taking notice of them!

 

Yeah, but once Michael arrived, they dominated.

 

Yes, it does. The only car that should never be painted a different color is Ferrari. That red is iconic. Silver is not. I recall the papaya & while McLarens and the silver and black ones. Both looked good in their color scheme.

I thought the silver and teal of the modern Merc was uninspiring....boring.

 

Maybe Lewis could still get a quali Pole when he's 42

 

Agreed on Ferrari red. (although different shades of red through the decades)

One thing to note about Ferrari's "prancing horse" emblem-->an equine specialist will tell you when looking at the Ferrari emblem that the horse is "rearing."

I wonder who gave it the name "prancing horse." (the horse isn't prancing btw).

 

Once Senna, arrived at Mclaren they dominated. Once Vettel arrived at RB, Ham at Mercedes etc. Yeah Schumi and Ferrari dominated, I was only correcting the poster about the Ferrari team being in shambles before him.