Your predictions for the 2008 F1 Season - Drivers

[Jim Watt]

Greetings JayVee:

Interesting discussion on driver skills (Alonso's) v. car's speed/reliability numbers.

I guess I either didn't get a notification of your postings, or, if I got it, I was too busy to look.

I'm glad you're refusing to 'give up' on your hero. Never let the partisans of the other drivers forget young Fernando's amazing feat of back to back WDC's during the reign of the mighty Schumacher!

As to Lewis's chances this year; I believe they are excellent and, though I am fond both of his driving and his heritage, I think young Nico's disparaging remarks reflect more his youth than his judgment. Fortunately, in a race car his judgment is much better!

I, of course, am happy with Kimi's miracle WDC last year, not least because it came after SO MANY letdowns with (mostly) wretched machines (mostly McLarens) and other tough breaks.

What I am fondest of with the Finn is, obviously, not his sober and soporific 'image' in the English speaking press, but his brilliant driving and his determination NOT to be over awed by the folks at Maranello. He knows how good he is and doesn't NEED to win to prove it. He just loves racing. In that he reminds me of my favorite NASCAR pilot, Tony Stewart, another guy who just loves to take any hunk of junk on wheels and make it go faster than anyone else can!

Fernando is, as I will be first to admit, brilliantly fast and, I fear, a little fragile. I wish he would let his driving do his talking, but he can't resist finding excuses and labeling his competition. But so what? Alberto Ascari was as flamboyant and as fragile and he's one of the greatest. And, for all I know, Tazio Nuvolari was also given to tantrums. Not everyone can be a Fangio or a Rick Mears.

And remember: the reason we HAVE the races is to see who does win; we know anyone is capable; the question is, who can DO it!

ciao, and enjoy the Australian G.P. I didn't pick Fernando to podium, so maybe you'll be lucky and make us all eat our words!

Jim Watt

[Redhead]

Redhead, yes Alonso had some good wheels but McLaren were also on Michelins too

Im not sure if you're responding seriously or taking the mickey. I was referring to 'wheels' as a euphmism for the whole car. If you want to be literal Michelin make the tyres not the wheels.

You dont respond at all to my main point that the points difference could be a major factor to the difference in the fastest lap data, which was most significant in the second half of the season, clearly this means I must be right.

In any case thanks for giving us something to talk about, hopefully after this weekend ther'll be plenty more

cheers,
Cam

[JayVee]

Redhead, yes Alonso had some good wheels but McLaren were also on Michelins too

Im not sure if you're responding seriously or taking the mickey. I was referring to 'wheels' as a euphmism for the whole car. If you want to be literal Michelin make the tyres not the wheels.

You dont respond at all to my main point that the points difference could be a major factor to the difference in the fastest lap data, which was most significant in the second half of the season, clearly this means I must be right.

In any case thanks for giving us something to talk about, hopefully after this weekend ther'll be plenty more

cheers,
Cam

Ooppps I actually thought you were talking about the tyres
I guess I was more concentrating on GhoGho's response!!

Your main point, well, sure you are right in that if someone has a good lead then they should be able to protect that lead even if the car was inferior as the other car will have to push and Raikkonen was (maybe still is) known for being a car breaker.
However, your theory isn't always right, there was a certain driver named Hamilton who was 26 points ahead of the eventual title contender by the 7th race of the season, had all the support of his team and still lost the title and IMHO the McLaren (with Ferrari data) of 2007 was not as inferior to the Ferrari of 2007 as the Renault of 2005 / 2006 was to the McLaren of 2005 / Ferrari of 2006.
And that is the difference between a good driver and a great one

Oh Jim, I am hearing many expecting a lot from Alonso and not just me. That is actually worrying me as I was hoping to be backing a dark horse and get a healthy early lead in the 8 'n' Pole
But good luck to you and your 'emotionless' Raikkonen. I rather enjoy Alonso's actions as a human .... Yes Hungary is a black day for what he did but to think that way and be able to apply successfully is something we rarely see.
And his celebrations on the podium at the Nurburgring were something that I don't think I'll ever forget. A true reflections of the feelings he had.
That is human ......

Anyway, good luck everyone and I need to start thinking about positions 2 to 8

The only thing I am not looking forward to this season is the F1 commentary (pre Hamilton, does anyone remember all the rave about someone named Button who if he overtook a Midland they would be screaming .... now Button almost doesn't exist in their vocabulary .... now how would the same apply to Hamilton this year )

[GhoGho]

Your main point, well, sure you are right in that if someone has a good lead then they should be able to protect that lead even if the car was inferior as the other car will have to push and Raikkonen was (maybe still is) known for being a car breaker.

However, your theory isn't always right, there was a certain driver named Hamilton who was 26 points ahead of the eventual title contender by the 7th race of the season, had all the support of his team and still lost the title and IMHO the McLaren (with Ferrari data) of 2007 was not as inferior to the Ferrari of 2007 as the Renault of 2005 / 2006 was to the McLaren of 2005 / Ferrari of 2006.
And that is the difference between a good driver and a great one

Or a WDC and rookie

Anyway, good luck everyone and I need to start thinking about positions 2 to 8

So you have Kimi in first. Choosing 2 - 8 is going to be a bit difficult

The only thing I am not looking forward to this season is the F1 commentary (pre Hamilton, does anyone remember all the rave about someone named Button who if he overtook a Midland they would be screaming .... now Button almost doesn't exist in their vocabulary .... now how would the same apply to Hamilton this year )

Fortunately in the USA we dont have to deal with British commentators.


PS I do enjoy the debate and would love to take you task on a few other issue, i just don't have the time right now