Very cool! I just don't agree at all. I can watch the cockpit footage of his qualy laps and rain laps and understand how fast he is as a driver. Whether you like him or not, etc is a different topic. Whether he tries his maximum like Nico etc is all up for debate, but the guy is super fast. Schumacher also had one of the most dominant cars in the Ferrari. Most people also believe Benetton cheated, so something to consider. In addition, Schumacher had quite a few screw ups on his way up. For one he destroyed Cecotto's season on an absolutely brainless move in DTM in 1990. Senna also had a lot of difficulties in racing that many people don't acknowledge. At one point he gave up on racing in F3 and went home to Brazil. The reality is that all these guys are very close and a good car benefits all drivers. Likewise, certain equipment cannot be overcome no matter how good you are as a driver.
Exactly. I would also add that the teams know in very scientific terms how good the drivers are - the data does not lie, and they have tons of it.
Hamilton would never be the same as Schumacher, Senna, etc. With that temperament of his, he would never had cut it in an average or less than average car.
+44. He's only good if everything around him is perfect, and the team favour him over his teammate. If they make it a fair fight, his teammate can beat him regularly, and if the car isn't the best, plenty of others can beat him That's the difference, Senna and Schumi absolutely dominated their teammate, no matter who it was or how good they were supposed to be. Elton has only done that against Kovi, and I suspect a lot of that came down to team orders when necessary too, and kovi was a disappointment in the sport once he got to the top. You could give either of them a third best teams car, and they'd win races, Elton wouldn't unless the best two teams broke down..... he'd lose his rag and try to smash his way to the front, all the time telling anyone on the radio who will listen that they are rubbish and they don't deserve him, and he knows better.
Eh, not sure I agree. Senna struggled mightily to beat Prost at times. Ferrari forced Rubens to throw races at times for Schumacher.
Agree on Prost with Senna, but he's the only guy, and he himself was multiple world champion and fully established at the time of their partnership, but on Rubens, he rarely had the speed of Schumacher, it was overwhelmingly in schumi favour, although I agree, occasionally he was faster. However, Michael never really battled with any teammates as he was outright quicker more consistently. Remember, Rubens was picked out by observers as the future of f1 at one time, but Michael overall destroyed the guy Elton has outright Speed, but his racecraft is very limited, his signature move is throwing it up the inside and making others give him room and decide whether they want to risk him crying foul, it isn't about any skill. In a formula where you are allowed to bang wheels, he wouldn't finish races like that (imagine him doing it in MotoGP, he'd be in a wheelchair within his first season) He hasn't consistently beaten anyone of real note, and of course, we are constantly told he is the best, so he should be driving circles around his teammates, especially those his fans claim are journeymen like Nico and Jensen, but both of them beat him pretty regularly with one actually outfoxing him (alright, anyone could outfox him, he isn't the sharpest tool in the box at the best of times) to win the world title.
I'm not an idiot, I think Hamilton is an excellent driver, but he's just not GOAT material, by a long shot. IMO out of the current field I rate Ricciardo, Verstappen, Vettel and Alonso as better, more complete drivers.
I think this is more balanced : ) I know what you mean - you know I get tired of hearing it as well. I just try to take a more moderate approach so we don't swing from one extreme to the other. We've been there before on the forum and it is almost unreadable ; ) Rubens. He's such a nice guy that it's hard for me to be hard on him. I like what Piquet said about him - "To err is human, but all the time?" ; P My point was that even someone a class below Schumacher was still, on occasion able to beat him. Almost all these guys are very fast; it's the consistency that separates them in most cases - for a variety of reasons of course. No way could he be declared GOAT in my opinion. I'm not sure how great he is *right now*, but I hope we get a chance to see all these guys battle next year : ) I agree all those you mention are damn fine drivers.
Don´t know where to post this: Ricciardo on Verstappen... Ricciardo: Verstappen hype could be good for my reputation I particulary like the "peasant champion" part...So we have a "moral champion", a "peasant champion" and an "actual champion"
I read that earlier, Peter. Ricci has such a good attitude about things. IF Verstappen beats him, there is no shame in it because of the reputation Verstappen has (already!). I do hope they (both) stay as positive as they have been as it's quite refreshing, much better than the battle of sulky spoiled kids who daren't acknowledge each other.
Red Bull has the same type of suspension. Not banned yet, but Merc and RBR have to decide if they want to keep using the FRIC-like suspension or go to a more conventional design. Otherwise, they have to risk the stewards ruling against the suspension.
No one will have a clue which teams got it right until the first test session. Given their performance over the last three seasons Mercedes should be on top; Red Bull and Ferrari will follow. It will be interesting to see which drivers adapt to the new cars best? I am a big Max fan but this formula might throw him a curve(googly). Hoping for a great season!
If Merc still have a dominant car I now see Bottas coming 3rd in championship in a tight battle with Lewis, providing Merc allow their No.2 to race Lewis ofcourse
RB will beat Benz, Mcl will be back, Ferrari a wildcard. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127765/renault-numbers-look-good-for-2017--newey
