Lewis Hamilton

[LDN]

There will be fireworks with Leclerc and Vettel; and I’d not be surprised if it is Leclerc that becomes their number one. He’s up to the task and up to the pressure. I think Leclerc might emerge the Ferrari driver that Hamilton has to contend with. Vettel will either step up - or fold, like he did against Ricciardo at Red Bull.

[sparta6]

BlackPrince said:

sparta6 said:

I don't own an axe.

Purely observations from the real world in London culture and communities.

And yes, it got quite nasty at times with Jamaicans and Africans. Why they couldn't get along baffled us, but you live and learn.

geezus fking Christ - surely you realize that your exposure is relatively limited right?

Everyone's exposure is relatively limited.

But that doesn't diminish real London experiences compared to real NYC experiences. They are what they are, and nobody should be afraid to say what they experience.

Back to Hamilton. Should be a straightfoward WDC unless Bottas ups his game, or the Red Bull PU gets some decent power and reliability.

[37chevy]

sparta6 said:

Back to Hamilton. Should be a straightfoward WDC unless Bottas ups his game, or the Red Bull PU gets some decent power and reliability.

Errrrr aren’t you forgetting Ferrari? Wasn’t exactly straight forward this year was it? Especially up to and including Monza

[LDN]

sparta6 said:

Everyone's exposure is relatively limited.

But that doesn't diminish real London experiences compared to real NYC experiences. They are what they are, and nobody should be afraid to say what they experience.

Yes, but to then extrapolate that experience and suggest that it paints a picture of a community as a whole, says something; doesn't it.

sparta6 said:

Back to Hamilton. Should be a straightfoward WDC unless Bottas ups his game, or the Red Bull PU gets some decent power and reliability.

I think Ferrari will have a hand to play, in how this year pans out. They might be the team to beat in fact.

[sparta6]

37chevy said:

sparta6 said:

Back to Hamilton. Should be a straightfoward WDC unless Bottas ups his game, or the Red Bull PU gets some decent power and reliability.

Errrrr aren’t you forgetting Ferrari? Wasn’t exactly straight forward this year was it? Especially up to and including Monza

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points. With Ricciardo they could be a dark horse.

[sparta6]

LDN said:

sparta6 said:

Everyone's exposure is relatively limited.

But that doesn't diminish real London experiences compared to real NYC experiences. They are what they are, and nobody should be afraid to say what they experience.

Yes, but to then extrapolate that experience and suggest that it paints a picture of a community as a whole, says something; doesn't it.

sparta6 said:

Back to Hamilton. Should be a straightfoward WDC unless Bottas ups his game, or the Red Bull PU gets some decent power and reliability.

I think Ferrari will have a hand to play, in how this year pans out. They might be the team to beat in fact.

Some were commenting on Hamilton's sexual orientation and public perception. He is black and British. London is the capital of Britain so chipped in with some actualities.
I won't even start on the club we had in West London

LeClerc will take a while to bed in, and my gut says Vettel is almost ready for retirement. Last grab at the brass ring for him

[HighwayStar]

sparta6 said:

37chevy said:

sparta6 said:

Back to Hamilton. Should be a straightfoward WDC unless Bottas ups his game, or the Red Bull PU gets some decent power and reliability.

Errrrr aren’t you forgetting Ferrari? Wasn’t exactly straight forward this year was it? Especially up to and including Monza

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points. With Ricciardo they could be a dark horse.

I think you’re dismissing Ferrari to hastily. They have been right up there taking it to Mercedes for the last 2 years. There wasn’t much wrong with their car last season, acknowledged as being the better faster car but hampered by the team and Vettel drop offs.
New boss Mattia Binotto is the real star there. Other teams had been circling, another reason Arrivabene got his exit visa. Ferrari aren’t that far away... Binotto will know how to run the team. Vettel & Leclerc will be interesting. Whatever Honda bring to RedBull, good or bad, Mad Max will provide entertainment.
Renault are claiming big gains, maybe they held back, concentrating on the coming season, keeping things back from Horners boys.
Then of course Mercedes, they will no doubt do a fine job... like others I’m looking forward to the season. It could be better than 2018.

[37chevy]

sparta6 said:

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points.

I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this opinion....what leads you to believe that Ferrari will drop that far back?

[Exige77]

37chevy said:

sparta6 said:

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points.

I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this opinion....what leads you to believe that Ferrari will drop that far back?

I’m expecting the red team to be right there.

Up to a point, it was neck and neck in 18 and they fell away at the end. Various reasons already covered.

Can’t wait to see how it pans out. Lots of change this year.

It’s gonna be fun.

Good luck Hammy !!

[anonymous-user]

sparta6 said:

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points. With Ricciardo they could be a dark horse.

I think Ferrari could be right up there.

Vettel needs to have a total reboot over this winter period. Be interesting to see how he is at the start of 2019.

LeClerc being alongside him instead of Kimi might just give him the push he needs to raise his game again. Kimi could be amazing a few times a year but LeClerc will/could be a threat the whole season.

Renault will be as they were in 2018. Can't see them moving forward much at all. Perhaps Ricciardo will find a bit extra out of the car but that's about it. As for being near Ferrari I would be amazed. Ferrari would really have to be going backwards in a big way.

The biggest question is Red Bull. How strong will the whole package be? Gasly will have to be at his best to get near Verstappen. Can't see it happening.

[sparta6]

37chevy said:

sparta6 said:

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points.

I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this opinion....what leads you to believe that Ferrari will drop that far back?

I'm expecting Renault to close the gap on Ferrari. Ferrari has a new boss, new young driver unexperienced in a top team, lots of new moving parts.
Unless Vettel can nail it out of the starting gates I don't see much of a threat for the WDC.

[HustleRussell]

I think we'll have three teams competing for the front row at most circuits

I expect Renault will pull clear of Force India and Haas and begin to bridge the gap to the top three but the gap will still exist. Perez might give them some trouble.

I think Force India, McLaren, Haas and Sauber will provide the midfield battle.

Williams will improve and will generally find Toro Rosso, Lance Stroll and (at a stretch) Sauber for company.

[p1stonhead]

Wonder what the odds would have been in Hamiltons first year to equal Schumacher's 7 WDC's?

I wonder if anyone has played a ridiculous long game and may still win with incredible odds?

[HighwayStar]

sparta6 said:

37chevy said:

sparta6 said:

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points.

I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this opinion....what leads you to believe that Ferrari will drop that far back?

I'm expecting Renault to close the gap on Ferrari. Ferrari has a new boss, new young driver unexperienced in a top team, lots of new moving parts.
Unless Vettel can nail it out of the starting gates I don't see much of a threat for the WDC.

Sparta, you are so wide the mark here. The 'new boss' was formerly the chief technical officer under Arrivabene. An engineer.

"Binotto first joined Ferrari in 1995, originally as a test engine engineer – and then performed a similar role for the race team from 1997 to 2003.

After a spell as a race engine engineer, and chief engineer, he became head of engine and KERS in 2009 – before stepping up to chief operating officer of the power unit at the end of 2014.'

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/binotto-replace...

Arrivabene... they won't even notice he's gone.

As for Renault closing the gap to Ferrari... Honestly, I hope they do, they are claiming big gains in the engine and wind tunnel but.... Mercedes and Ferrari are a moving target, they will have been burning the midnight oil and riding the wild software too. Renault could turn up in Oz a few 10ths closer or just as far back.

Edited by HighwayStar on Thursday 10th January 15:55

[lbc]

HustleRussell said:

I expect Renault will pull clear of Force India and Haas and begin to bridge the gap to the top three but the gap will still exist. Perez might give them some trouble.

I think Renault will be in same position as last year. Force India and Haas will be better.

Hopefully Williams and Mclaren will improve to compete with the midfield.

Mercedes and Ferrari will still be at the top.

Red Bull may have some good races at expense of reliability.

It will be good to see Hamilton win another title, but hopefully with some stronger opposition.

Bottas and Vettel will be gone next year if they don't perform.

Edited by lbc on Thursday 10th January 16:51

[Deesee]

lbc said:

Bottas and Vettel will be gone next year if the don't perform.

Bottas lost a personal sponsor this week (that he’s had since 12 yrs old) that partially pays/supplements his salary.

Needs a fast winning start IMO.

[lbc]

Deesee said:

lbc said:

Bottas and Vettel will be gone next year if they don't perform.

Bottas lost a personal sponsor this week (that he’s had since 12 yrs old) that partially pays/supplements his salary.

Needs a fast winning start IMO.

Toto Wolf has said Bottas needs to be winning races on par with Hamilton this season in order to keep his seat.

[HTP99]

lbc said:

Deesee said:

lbc said:

Bottas and Vettel will be gone next year if they don't perform.

Bottas lost a personal sponsor this week (that he’s had since 12 yrs old) that partially pays/supplements his salary.

Needs a fast winning start IMO.

Toto Wolf has said Bottas needs to be winning races on par with Hamilton this season in order to keep his seat.

Well he'll be looking for new employment then!

[Gary C]

Deesee said:

lbc said:

Bottas and Vettel will be gone next year if the don't perform.

Bottas lost a personal sponsor this week (that he’s had since 12 yrs old) that partially pays/supplements his salary.

Needs a fast winning start IMO.

Bottas, yes, Vettel, no, not yet, still got enough capital.

[sparta6]

HighwayStar said:

sparta6 said:

37chevy said:

sparta6 said:

I'm not expecting much of a title challenge from Ferrari this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Renault got close to them in points.

I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this opinion....what leads you to believe that Ferrari will drop that far back?

I'm expecting Renault to close the gap on Ferrari. Ferrari has a new boss, new young driver unexperienced in a top team, lots of new moving parts.
Unless Vettel can nail it out of the starting gates I don't see much of a threat for the WDC.

Sparta, you are so wide the mark here. The 'new boss' was formerly the chief technical officer under Arrivabene. An engineer.

"Binotto first joined Ferrari in 1995, originally as a test engine engineer – and then performed a similar role for the race team from 1997 to 2003.

After a spell as a race engine engineer, and chief engineer, he became head of engine and KERS in 2009 – before stepping up to chief operating officer of the power unit at the end of 2014.'

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/binotto-replace...

Arrivabene... they won't even notice he's gone.

As for Renault closing the gap to Ferrari... Honestly, I hope they do, they are claiming big gains in the engine and wind tunnel but.... Mercedes and Ferrari are a moving target, they will have been burning the midnight oil and riding the wild software too. Renault could turn up in Oz a few 10ths closer or just as far back.

Edited by HighwayStar on Thursday 10th January 15:55

Being a technical chief is very different psychologically from being the actual Boss. No doubting Binotto's talent but some can hack the National, Media and Political pressure, others cannot, time will tell. I hope he can.

With Renault, they have a master manipulator and politician in Prost, so I would not rule anything out.