Is Lewis Hamilton the greatest of all time, why or why not?

Some Italian insiders said they have made the same concept mistake Ferrari did with the F14T ..

 

Let's just say there was a degree of FIA sensitivity towards Ham.

 

Only for those that understand


And no reference required to the wardrobe of Ronald McDonald

 

What about the Hamburglar?

 

Don't get me excited....

 

[QUOTE="Bas, post: 148457049, member: 61826"
Lets see how the rest of the season plays out for Lewis but he can't have many shockers like he did here if he doesn't want his abilities questioned.[/QUOTE]

That's true, it only takes a few bad performances to shatter confidence and announce the decline.
We saw that for Vettel, but also for Raikkonen, a shadow of himself in in last years.
So, I wouldn't be surprised if Lewis never fight for the title again.
The skill is still there probably, but the motivation may be fading, mostly if the car is not up to scratch.

 

It's not game over though. Russell knows how to hustle a slow car

 

Mercedes is still an outstanding organization so they will narrow the gap somewhat to the front. If their design concept is fundamentally flawed however they are screwed. What amazes me is how they went from the most potent power unit last season to also-ran this season?

 

Mercedes may write off this season and go for a different design for next year.

 

Too proud to do that!

 

It's not a matter of pride, but having to work within the budget limits.

Better spend today's money on tomorrow's car hoping it will be better?

 

If there is any team that can circumvent the budget cap it's Mercedes.

 

This reaction is only valid if all teams comply with the rule ..

Today's Autosport article :
Ferrari has cost cap concern in F1 2022 development war
Ferrari has urged to FIA to ensure that Formula 1’s budget cap is properly policed this year to prevent teams finding ways around the system for game changing upgrades.

 

Ferrari is already shouting FOUL ! when the game has just started !!!

The FIA has made a rod for its own back by introducing this budget cap; it will be very difficult to police.

I have no idea how they are going to monitor it, and what sanctions they intend for the transgressors.

 

Of course they will, they are the sole top team to play fair.
Honestly do you trust Horner or Toto?
This budget cap will be impossible to monitor.

 

When Toto Wolff is caught it will bring significant reputational damage to the Mercedes brand.

 

Just curious,
Wolff reputation as a businessman is not very clear ?

 

Can we please revisit this delusion at the end of the season for a good laugh?

 

Don't worry, the team will be rebranded INEOS soon.

INEOS will lauch its 4X4 before the end of this year.

 

Vettel had his abilities questioned in 2014 because over the course of the season he was outscored and outperformed by a younger, less experienced teammate.
Previously his only full season benchmarks were an rookie IndyCar import (8 years his senior) and then Webber, 11 years his senior. Even despite this some believed his was still fastest man in Grand Prix racing, his poor performance explained away as just not jelling with the RB10 - thus his lucrative Ferrari contract (and his team up with another geriatric)

Situation is obviously completely different with Lewis - he been winning Formula 1 races for 16 years straights, and had teammates of all types including World Champions. If he finishes this season behind Russell (in points and performance) we can say his reign as the top dog in Grand Prix racing has likely come to an end. But it certainly doesn't change the past or re-contextualize his entire career despite certain people's desperation to do so

 

Fair comment.
I attribute Vettel's failure to match Ricciardo in 2014, to his inability to adapt to the new hybrid system.
It required a new driving technic, lift and coast, regeneration, etc ... and if Ricciardo took to it like a fish to water, Vettel struggled with it.
I don't think he forgot how to drive, but this was different (Kimi said the same) and it took him time before he was comfortable with it.
In between Ricciardo had become the flavour of the month at Red Bull, and Vettel decided to join Ferrari.

 

It's very vague

 

"INEOS 4x4 - For All Your Off-Road Accounting"

 

Read again.

Vettel had his abilities challenged the very first weekend in 2014, after quali. Forget the race or given opportunity several races in before an assessment. First quali.

 

1 million for aero, 1 million for FIA.
1 million for engine, 1 million for FIA.
1 Million for suspension, 1 million for FIA.