Congratulations Lewis

[Derek Smith]

This season, with a car that was dominant, could have been one of the most unexciting since the Ferrari seasons in the days of Brawn leading it. Instead we got the WDC down to the last race, and down to the malfunctioning of the ERRS.

Without someone of Rosberg’s abilities we’d have had a walkover. Without the leadership of Wolff we’d have had the same thing. Fair enough, he wasn’t risking an awful lot as there was little chance of them not winning either title.

An exciting season with some excellent races. The battle behind the two Merc drivers was often tremendous and there was some dramatic overtakes. Some of the battles went on from race to race.

The surprise of the season was to find that Rosberg outqualified his arch one-lap wonder team mate so many times. There has been the suggestion that LH set his car up to be best in the race and this might explain it. Whatever, on the day that mattered, Hamilton seemed to be able to manage Rosberg’s challenge.

Well done, Hamilton. An exhibition of controlled driving. Surprisingly (to me) mature I thought.

For those of us (and I know I was not the only one) who thought the new regulations would bring about a dull season: how about this one, eh?

[Derek Smith]

Mini1275 said:

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/report/22058/9538348/...

I checked through the article to ensure they didn't have my thoughts when he jumped from McL.

I'm not one to gloat, especially against a person whose blog I enjoy, but Joe, what were you thinking?

Joe Saward said:

“Lewis Hamilton does not know much about racing history and so cannot learn from the mistakes of others. Perhaps he thinks that if it fails he will at least have the consolation of earning loads more money and being a bigger star, thanks to his hustling management that will sell his image here, there and everywhere. That might make him an international celebrity on a bigger scale than he is, but it will not make him a racing legend. Perhaps Mercedes will pull it off and then Hamilton will look clever, but I fear that this will be a move similar to James Hunt joining Wolf; Emerson Fittipaldi joining Fittipaldi, Jacques Villeneuve moving to BAR or Niki Lauda’s ill-fated move to Brabham. History relates that you do not leave a winning team in F1 unless it is to go to another proven winner…”

History proves nothing.

Edited by Derek Smith on Monday 24th November 21:51

[Derek Smith]

TheAngryDog said:

TBH, he hasn't done anything worthy of a Knighthood imo.

So he could get it then, you reckon?

[Derek Smith]

Lost soul said:

vetrof said:

From the same article! WFT is Moss smoking?

Sterling Moss said:

"It was a wonderful result for the guy who deserved it," Moss told BBC Radio 5 live. "I'd put him above Schumacher. I mean Schumacher just happened to win a lot of titles, but he wasn't as quick."

Poor old Stirling , he sounds desperate to make an impact with a statement

The bloke knows nothing.

[Derek Smith]

andyps said:

entropy said:

Moss reckoned Schumi wasn't as good as LH in quali even though LH has been poor in quali. Having been rated as the quickest driver he has made far too many errors in Q3 for my liking.

I don't disagree with you, Lewis has made more mistakes than he should have done in quali this year, we probably should be grateful as it made the races and championship closer!

Wolff reckoned that LH sets the car up for the race. I assume this means a compromise on fuel load. There have been suggestions that LH has concentrated on set-up more than he has in the past. It would explain things.

It is. I think, impossible to say that LH is a faster driver in the race just because he closes on NR as there are so many variables that things are never equal.

Certainly NR's qually speed is the most surprising thing for me. LH was touted as the one-lap king and I accepted it. For NR to beat him, and by 10ths, was a shock.

A fascinating season.

[Derek Smith]

EskimoArapaho said:

And anyone can pick you up on it. That's the meaning of the 'forum' bit.

FWIW, the way in which the Hamilton bashers on PH pick on LH's hair/jewellery/clothes makes me wonder if you'd have done the same to Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, etc.

I'd certainly have the haircut before the tartan.

[Derek Smith]

DanielSan said:

I mean when he jumps into his bizarre accented management led mode, usually after spending time in the states with his Mrs...

But if you want to try and claim that I must have all yanks then you have that little moment of joy in your mind.

His accent is a bizarre reason not to like Lewis. He has shown himself to be one of the most exciting drivers on the grid, and high up on the grid as well. He won 11 races in a season despite a number of non-finishes and non starts so to speak, and against a driver whose talents are generally acknowledged. His overtakes have been thrilling.

I could understand someone resenting him for his actions when publishing Button's data but that is hardly ever mentioned.

I get the feeling with some people that if his accent was OK, then it would have been his hair, or the way he walked or held his head.

He's a racing driver who thrills. How can you not appreciate him? How can you not not be grateful for livening up our weekends.

Jeez, the bloke left 'my' team and yet I still think the bloke is one of the most exciting talents on the grid.

Who gives a rat's fundament about how he talks.