DC still delusional!

I honestly think DC's best performances were in '96 when he first joined Mclaren. Hakkinen and himself lead the team well and I believe he scored some decent points that season. When he was with Williams, he was somewhat of a reliable secondary driver... But his peak was in '96, which is a shame becaue im not sure hes won a GP. I dont know how many fans hes had in his time, but the longer he tries to stay in F1, the more he will lose..

He wouldn't have done any better than Frentzen did at Williams with Villeneuve. Although Mclaren wasn't as strong a team in '96 as Williams....

And about letting Mika pass....im not sure he had much of a choice.

 

Somehow I foresee a similar speech in a few years time given by Rubens.

 

Rubens never really had a peak in his career apart from Sao Paulo in '99 was it? when he was at stewart... The car blew up on him, but people saw his energy on the track, being in the points, and i think on the podium.
Personally, i think it was a mistake for him to go to Ferrari, because he isn't very strong anymore. His energy was short term, and possibly because when at stewart, he felt he had something to prove... Now at Ferrari, hes reached his 'goal' and can just maintain the position. It would be nice to see Kimi at Ferrari alongside, Alonso perhaps.... Rubens should retire as well...hes been here since '95 and started at jordan, and went downward to stewart...
They should have known his experience is even as good as DC's...

 

First of all I am glad to see a post unrelated to tires, FIA, Michelin, the end of racing as we know it

DC was very strong in the Mclaren in 1996 and 1997. His drive in Williams in 1994 was also really good. His move over for Hakkinen in 1998 must have cost him psychologically for sure. But he had his chances at a WDC in 1998 and 1999. He was looking strong in 2000 but it wasnt to happen.

Apparently he is gunning for Jenson's seat at BAR now.

 

I think it is fascinating to see how some guys battle/win the championship over and over again (MS, Kimi, Hakkinen) whereas others have one year of happiness and if they don't clinch it, they fall back into the history of F1. DC and Montoya come to mind.

I wonder into which group JV falls. He seems to be another DC, but lucked out that one year.

 

I think JV just got in the wrong car in '99 and has been ever since...Its become an ongoing thing and hes not competitive anymore because of it.

Montoya I dont think ever had it, he was just over excited in the beginning, and even Ralf clinched a single win, while montoya always threw everyone off the track... Montreal of '04 is a good example..
This kid just came from Cart, as De Matta and was very optimistic... Zanardi is the only one with previous F1 experience, but he going back to Cart didn't help him...maybe financially, only.

 

I thought DC never really tried very hard at McLaren. Maybe true.
"I sat on that grid for my first race in a McLaren and realised I'd sold out. I guess money meant a bit more to me back then than it does now, but you should never take payment over performance."

 

I don't think he's wrong the Mclaren was garbage in those years and the Williams was still dominant. He would have had a good shot at the title if he had stayed at Williams a couple more years.

 

the guy's an idiot

 

I think he's just reflecting; he's bummed he played patsy to the team's #1 driver and he's owning up it.

Good on him.

His declaring that "this is my year" was, probably, a self-programmed PR line that he'd chuck out there to sound like he wasn't a full time development driver; he went for the money, got rich but it didn't make him a champion.

I think this year w/ RedBull has put a few of his choices into perspective for him and that's fine.

I think DC's been refreshing this year.

And he had competative form in his early days and probably could have won a title w/ Williams (they had the car to beat), so let's not put the cart before the horse with his comment regading him having a better chance there than w/ McLaren.

 

Yeah, what a boner! Wasting ALL those years in the crappy old McLaren that only managed, what, TWO World Championships for his teammate?!

 

^^ That's exactly what I was going to say, DC failed to outperform Hakkinen and he won two championships in the mean time. End of the story.
I guess DC was thinking...... if Hill won a championship and he was a mediocre driver I could have won it too. Following that logic yes he could have but he did not.

Jean Alesi had a contract ready with Williams and another one with Ferrari, he went to Ferrari and that probably costed a world championship.

Could have.... would have .... should have..... DC can say all he wants but I can't think of any other mediocre driver who has stayed in top teams for so long. I think DC has had a great F1 career for his level of talent, has scored several wins and has made a lot of money....... Why can't he get over it and see the glass half full. DC was never going to be a champion.

 

Read the entire post, it's all in there ... DC's lamenting playing patsy to Mika.

Boo hoo I know, but at least he's being honest.

I mean hell, if JV could win a championship in the Williams of that vintage, a monkey could have won it.

 

I was thinking about him when I wrote that, but didn't want to comment, because he would fall into the DC group. Unfortunately.

 

I think he might have felt he sold out . Signing a contract saying you are second to someone else no matter what can really take the wind out of your sails. I think Rubens should have waited for another ride but how could he pass up Ferrari, second driver or not? He probably thought MS would have retired by now. Just my opinion.

 

He's made a sh*t load of money, he drives an F1 car for a living year after year when other drivers only appear once or twice in F1 in their careers. He has a stunning girlfriend, owns other business's, fly's everywhere in a private jet and will be a remembered name in the history of F1.

Boo fu**ing hoo Coulthard!

I work 60 hours a week to pay for our house, family and cars. Wonder if he wants to swap for a week?