Prediction: MS Not Top 5

I think this is why he's only signed a 1 year contract. In other words he's saying "lets see how it goes before I commit for a longer period".

P.S. Watch this Video, it might answer some of your questions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGEALGdlWxw

 

Barring surprises:

Massa
Hamilton
Alonso
Button
Vettel
Webber
Rosberg
Schumacher

 

My prediction:
1 Hamilton
2 Vettel
3 Button
4 Schumacher
5 Rosberg
6 Alonso


People underestimate the fact that Mercedes has the best engine and Ferrari probably the worst. I'm sure the new Ferrari will be good, but with that engine, it won't do wonders.

Schumacher will be fine. Relatively speaking. He won't win the title, but he won't be a BADoer either.

PS: I can't stand Schumacher, so my prediction is really not wearing red tinted glasses. Yet I have him in the top 5. In fact I could even see him beat Button ending up 3rd overall.

 

I'm supprised you put 'all hail Fernando Alonso' in 6th and even Rosberg infront of him.

 

It goes to show he's being realistic. The Ferrari wasn't exactly strong this past season and I agree with him that I don't think it'll be a lot faster this-coming season. That's exactly the reason they brought Alonso in. To make it better while he's there. I doubt it'll happen overnight.

 

I can go with that although FA a touch higher.

But it will all depend on how good that Ferrari car is.

 

I won't be surprised if he is top 3. As for hurting his legacy? I doubt it. Michael Jordan and Lance Armstrong's legacy weren't hurt.

 

I don't think we can speculate with any degree of certainty as to where MS will place next year. Back in 2008 we would have all chosen a dozen drivers ahead of Button and Barichello and we all know how that ended!

Bottom line is the car/package. Can RB and Mercedes can produce another very competitive package or not? If the new Mercedes is competitive I believe MS will be right there. If it's not he'll be languishing mid field somewhere. Button and Barichello are good drivers but they aren't a Vettel, Hamilton or Schumacher. The car helped both of them achieve the results we saw in 09.

2010 is destined to be an interesting year. I think it's going to come down to the competitiveness of the car. All things being equal (assuming Mercedes, Mclaren, Ferrari and Red Bull all have very similar packages) I would rank the podium as being shared by the following drivers:

1) Hamilton/Alonso/Vettel
2) Schumacher/Button/Massa
3) Rosberg/Webber/Kobayashi!

Ok. Maybe Kobayashi is a stretch but I'm sure he's going to be a wild card and an entertaining one at that!

 

For sure, it *might* - However, I have a feeling there's another WDC going his way....

I may be eating crow in a few months, but I disagree. In any event, I'm looking forward to Tillmans fantasy league next year! [Given his comments above, MS should come *cheap*! ]

With RB, Norbert, that lump and MS - "Very!"

Oh yeah! I honestly don't think he'd do it otherwise - In fact, I suspect he wants to "teach LdM a lesson!"....

None - Again, I don't think he'd do it if he wasn't 100%

Not an issue - The car talks to him like no other.... He said it only whispers in the wet though....

Again, I may be eating crow later, but having watched him many times, I respectfully disagree - I think we may be surprised when Ross asks him for "a second a lap, old chap!", and he delivers!.... He is quite simply (IMHO) the best there ever was, is, and will be!

BTW, Ayrton is still my absolute favorite driver, but unfortunately we'll never know [Still breaks my heart thinking of him.]

Cheers,
Ian

 

isn't that enough? anything more would be simply amazing.

 

+1

But, I reckon he's going to get at least one more WDC before riding into the sunset - Style like no other!

 

I also question if Michael's heart is really in it. To me, Alonso REALLY, REALLY wants it. And, there is no question about Massa's heart on the situation.

As long as these two guys don't take each other out, and they actually deliver a decent car, one of these guys have to finish somewhere one or two in the championship.

I wish Michael had finished his career with Ferrari. But, if this is his swan song and we get a chance to see him race once more, I can live with it. He may be working for the enemy, but my admiration for him does not diminish.

 

You may be a crazy Mac fruit, but you're an OK guy

 

Brawn+Schumacher = 2010 Championship

 

Top 5 in points is going to depend on too many factors.

Having watched MS drive the International Karting Stars challenge, I noticed a few things.

1) While he may never be 100% of what he once was- in equal equipment, he's still FAST- routinely turning fastest lap despite being the senior of the bunch. 95% of the old Micheal may still be enough.

2) The term "hungry" seems to go hand in hand with aggression, daring, pressing... youthful exuberance. I do think Micheal has lost some of that. It remains to be seen if that's an asset or liability. In his case- I believe self preservation will cross his mind now- much more so than ever before.

3) Did I mention he's still fast??? Fast, methodical, patient and seemingly always ready to capitalize on others mistakes while making very few of his own.

4) He seems very fit. I don't expect there will be a problem physically as long as his neck holds out and doesn't get banged up.

I have realistic expectations and believe he could be top 3 as easily as he could end up 8th. It should be fun to watch.

 

Reminds me once again of the SNL spoof "Mini Ditka vs Da Bears".

 

it was a 3 year contract;

 

I think in Jordan's case it helped after the first come back anyway after he left baseball he returned to win 3 NBA championships IIRC. Also, if Lance wins next year it will only add to his legacy. I think if MS gets some podiums and wins a couple races it will show just how great of a driver he is. Also, if he is able to get to that 100 win number before he hangs it up again that will forever seal his fate as a great even more.
Erik

 

x2

 

Spot on.

I'm expecting thumbs down signs and jeers at Monza for MS.

MS said many times, that he only wanted to retire with Ferrari.