If Hamilton didn't win his first title to date. **Spoilers**

If Massa had won the 2008 title, the dark side (Mad Max) would have won by manipulating the F1 championship because they gifted a 14 points swing to Massa.

Massa would be the most undeserving champion in F1 history.

Hamilton won despite all those manipulations and became the youngest F1 champion ever. Truly an accomplishment and it made me very happy (and I'm neither a Hamilton nor McLaren fan).

PS: It reminded me a lot of the 1994 season where the FIA tried to manipulate the championship as well. I was VERY happy to see Schumacher triumph despite the manipulations.

 

+1000

 

I think his very strong performances in other season would stand in his favour.

You could always argue that if Hamilton hadn't had a puncture (was it China?) then he would have won the 2007 WDC and become a back to back champion.

On the flip side his last 3 seasons have been very disappointing.

But then again Senna never won a championship until he was 28, lewis is 26.

I think we all know Lewis is fast, but to prove he is special he will have to start using his head a bit more, a la Jenson. If he doesn't he will go down in history as just another F1 driver.

 

+1000

 

Jensen is 32. At 26, we all dismissed him as a playboy who was all hype.

 

It wouldn´t make a difference. The problem with Hamilton IMO is that he seems to get worse as he gets older. I was more impressed with his debut season than with his WDC.

 

Isn't it fun to play "what if".....

As everyone knows, I'm maybe the last Phil fan here! He's typically, but not always, a tiny bit slower than one of (if not the) fastest jockeys out there - I don't see anyone that could do a better job as #2 at Ferrari. He's a *long* way from sucking IMO.....

We obviously beg to differ on this!.....

Returning to Bas' initial point, I don't think Lewis is any more than an "OK" jockey today. Certainly not "great", at least so far - He *may* get there but he took the best car on the grid to a single title - Deserving, OK, but there's lots of guys that have won one WDC and faded to obscurity [Had Phil won it, add him to that list ]

Once you've bagged 3 or more, preferably with different teams, the word "great" can begin to be attached to your name - FWIW, should Seb win again next season I'm still not ready to anoint him among the true greats - Damn good, yeah - He's certainly dominated the Aussie this year, which is always a good start but I reckon there's maybe 6-8 guys that could do the same in the RB.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I will stand with you as a declared Massa fan, Ian.

 

I hear you Ian, and can agree with some of your points, but it's not Massa's fault that FIA scum bag Porno Max gifted him the points.

Massa whining about Hamilton is getting annoying now, Hamilton beat him more than fair and square to the title that year. He needs to get over it.

In My book Ham has 2 WDC's anyway.

 

In my opinion, Hamilton's first year in F1 was his best one.
Although he didn't win the title, he gave something to think about to Alonso who expected to run circles around a novice team mate.
Hamilton's title the next year didn't show the same flair and came as a strike of luck at the last minute.
Since, he was been inconsistent, erratic and over-ambitious.
Hamilton is no tactician, that's for sure, and over-extends his abilities by making silly mistakes.
From a team manager's point of view, Button is a safer bet now.

 

Cool! I knew I wasn't completely alone!

+1 to all.

His position at Mclaren is *much* weaker now that JB's signed a "long term deal". They can, and just might, turn round and say we really don't need you any longer, we've got Jenson tied up!...... I couldn't have imagined saying that when Ron was holding his hand, but I think even he's getting frustrated with the constant shunts etc.

Cheers,
Ian

 

In my view, Hamilton has the potential to go on and become one of the greats. His issue is simple- his management sucks. Sort that, and most of the issues we have seen this year stand a good chance of going away.

 

I think Hammi now is a shadow of the 2008 and 2007 Hammi.

 

Lol! Normally you're spot-on Ian, but at 32 years old, Jensen is at the peak of his career and probably has a couple of effective years left.

Hamilton is 26 and still has career growth in front of him. Why would McLaren even think of sending him to another team? They won't find anyone faster than LH to replace him with, and Lewis will certainly gain temperance as he matures.

Before rebutting this point, just remember that Jensen is no longer the "flaky playboy" and Alonso seems to have put his "diva-ness" behind him.

 

+1 all winners are deserving. Massa as well. Im a fan. I know he is not Alonso but he put LH in his place in Budapest on turn 1 from 3rd place on the grid and without the engine giving out 3 laps from the end he wins(not from pole) in a move called 'hamiltonesque', and the title as well.

That year he took the fight to LH for Ferrari and the so called ice-loser-quitter man(kimi), didnt even bother to matter. So as far as Felipe being undeserving those that feel that way should have another drink with the ice-man

 

So Hamilton must undergo a complete change in personality/driving style if he is again to win a championship. Can any of you tell me if there is any other F1 champion who was faced with the same task (and actually made the personality/driving style change and won another title)? What people seem to be asking for is the F1 equivalent of George Foreman's metamorphosis from his early career to when he resumed his career after a decade's absence (and George didn't have to do it at speeds in excess of 200 mph). Maybe Lewis needs to start by talking to George.

 

If LH makes pointed precise adjustments he will be fine. His aggression and instinct are amazing. His headwork and strategic thinking need a small bump up. Thats all. He, I think will be fine. He's got too much talent to flounder too long.

 

+1...well stated. His problems this season are more the result of having an inferior machine and pressing too hard than diminishing skills.

Does anyone really believe that he would not have won the title if he were driving for RBR???

 

I'd say a little longer than two, but who knows? I'm surprised they didn't release the length of his new contract. My WAG is it's longer (possibly via mutual options) than they want to admit at this stage.

I'm not so sure!.... They wouldn't send him to another team but simply not extend his contract. *If*, and of course this is pure speculation based on a little experience, he'd have had such a horrible rookie season as he's had this term he'd have been out of F1 by now! Fortunately for him he "did good" early on and leveraged that into a few more years - For sure he's quick, but crashers very seldom last long in F1 unless they're bringing $ - At least with the top teams.

A gentle rebuttal?

Agreed - I too thought Lewis would dominate Jenson. Fred seems to be maturing nicely....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Fixed it for you!

He's certainly in the "top tier", but so are quite a few others and even more that we don't know about given their cars - If "you" (not personally ) believe Kobi & Perez could do better at Ferrari than Phil, then you've also got to say they'd have won in the RB.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

Bas, you can count me out me out stating Button would get annihilated by Ham.

I admit I didnt think he would beat him on a regular basis, but would be always in the hunt picking up the pieces of front runners, crashing and battling between themselves, he has exceeded my expectations at present.

It would be a unwise move to rule Hamilton out a future WDC, he has raw talent and speed in huge quantities, it needs tweaking.

 

Hamilton may have more raw speed than Button, but is more prone to mistake and losing races for it.
Also, Button seems to adapt better to the new tyre rules, be more of a tactician and more shrewd than his team mate.