Who will be the driver of his generation ?
Poll: Who will be the driver of his generation ?
Total Members Polled: 190
Discussion
Far too early for Hamilton, Vettel, and Kubica.
So far, Alonso is tops: ousted Michael Schumacher, double WDC, set then-records for youngest GP winner and WDC. Hamilton is getting pretty close though, and Vettel is not far behind Hamilton. I think Kubica is only held back by his car.
Kimi is a should-have-been and should-be. Massa is an almost-has-been and could-be.
Hard to pick.
I think Hamilton will be remembered for his raw talent, Vettel for his amicable personality, and Kubica for his ruthlessness. All will be remembered as equally fast on track.
So far, Alonso is tops: ousted Michael Schumacher, double WDC, set then-records for youngest GP winner and WDC. Hamilton is getting pretty close though, and Vettel is not far behind Hamilton. I think Kubica is only held back by his car.
Kimi is a should-have-been and should-be. Massa is an almost-has-been and could-be.
Hard to pick.
Edited by Jungles on Sunday 19th April 11:23
I think Hamilton will be remembered for his raw talent, Vettel for his amicable personality, and Kubica for his ruthlessness. All will be remembered as equally fast on track.
Edited by Jungles on Sunday 19th April 11:24
At the moment Hamilton has achieved a lot more than Vettel in their short careers. Already a world champion after only 2 seasons. Unfortunate not to be a double champion. That achievement alone will be remembered for a long time. Probably need another 2 seasons at least to prove if Vettel is even better. I'd still tip Hamilton even though I'm not a big fan.
uktrailmonster said:
At the moment Hamilton has achieved a lot more than Vettel in their short careers. Already a world champion after only 2 seasons. Unfortunate not to be a double champion. That achievement alone will be remembered for a long time. Probably need another 2 seasons at least to prove if Vettel is even better. I'd still tip Hamilton even though I'm not a big fan.
Statistically, Hamilton has definitely done more. However, Vettel has not had the change to prove himself yet. Even now with a competitive car, he faces much tougher opposition than Hamilton did. In 2007 and 2008, Hamilton only had to contend with 3 other drivers who could challenge him on a regular basis (Alonso/Kovalainen, Massa, Raikkonen). In 2009, Vettel has to contend with 6 other drivers (Button, Barrichello, Webber, Trulli, Glock, Rosberg) driving similarly-paced cars - with the two Brawn cars slightly faster in the dry, and now McLaren seem to be rapidly catching up, which will bring another two drivers into contention (and another chance for Hamilton to fight for a title).Few drivers has ever had the chance that Hamilton had. Obviously, he has the talent to back it up, but he was very fortunate to be in a dominant team from the get-go.
Edited by Jungles on Monday 20th April 01:12
Gazboy said:
Jungles said:
In 2007 and 2008, Hamilton only had to contend with 3 other drivers who could challenge him on a regular basis (Alonso/Kovalainen, Massa, Raikkonen).
It was hardly a walk over though, his team mate was a double world champion, Kimi had been championship runner up in 2003 & 2005 and Massa had finished 3rd in the 2006 season -his first season in a top team.Right now there's nothing between Alonso and Hamilton, this is where the greatest rivalry lies because of the recent history. Alonso is still young and there should be many years of exciting racing between these two.
Vetel is looking like the other stand out driver but hasn't had enough time or the right car to really compare with these two yet.
Vetel is looking like the other stand out driver but hasn't had enough time or the right car to really compare with these two yet.
custardtart said:
Right now there's nothing between Alonso and Hamilton, this is where the greatest rivalry lies because of the recent history. Alonso is still young and there should be many years of exciting racing between these two.
Vetel is looking like the other stand out driver but hasn't had enough time or the right car to really compare with these two yet.
Good point- Alonso feels older as hes been around a long time and achieved so much, but hes still very young. Vetel is looking like the other stand out driver but hasn't had enough time or the right car to really compare with these two yet.
From the list, my pick as THE driver would be Vettel. He's fast, likeable, has impressed in a car that wasn't an automatic frontrunner (winning in the wet in the Toro Rosso last year). Now he is in a very decent car (09 Red Bull is definitely one of the best 09 cars), he's won a race and has been up at the front (until his argument with Kubica 
). Alonso/Massa/Raikonnen are a few years older and have 'been around' a while. Kubica is good and runs Vettel close, Hamilton is good but this year will show if he's genius good now that he's not in a frontrunner car.
). Alonso/Massa/Raikonnen are a few years older and have 'been around' a while. Kubica is good and runs Vettel close, Hamilton is good but this year will show if he's genius good now that he's not in a frontrunner car.That McLaren is not really top 10 material as we can see from qualifying but Hamilton seems to be able to get a decent result out of it during the race. I'd say Alonso and Schumacher were similar in that respect. All three are/were always better than their team mates (except when Alonso and Hamilton were both at McLaren). Kimi has to have a good car or at least a car he enjoys driving to be at the front end or to beat his team mate.
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