"X is a future world champion"...
Discussion
It's a phrase that always makes me smile. Generally bandied about by those looking to appear 'in the know' when it comes to young drivers, and getting more fashionable by the season.
Of the current crop, I can recall it being said loudly about Ricciardo, Kvyat, Perez, LeClerc, and Verstappen. Although there are probably more...
I'm not all that convinced that any of them are championship material right now, although Verstappen in a Merc could be fearsome.
Have you ever said it? Were you right or wrong (that you'd admit)? Does it annoy you as much as it does me?
Of the current crop, I can recall it being said loudly about Ricciardo, Kvyat, Perez, LeClerc, and Verstappen. Although there are probably more...
I'm not all that convinced that any of them are championship material right now, although Verstappen in a Merc could be fearsome.
Have you ever said it? Were you right or wrong (that you'd admit)? Does it annoy you as much as it does me?
It doesn't annoy me and its common in all industries for such predictions to me made, not just sports. It is a conversational thing most of the time based on a perceived development curve that is taking shape. Of course that curve doesn't always continue through to the F1 title.
I have been both right and wrong on multiple occasions.
I was karting with Lewis and saw him as a future world champion as did most others who were around back then. That has been right 6 times so far. I also had it right about Raikkonen when I first saw him in 2001 in the Sauber.
As for those I had wrong... Montoya. But I think he was just unlucky and was easily good enough. I thought Vandoorne and Hulkenberg looked the real deal from their GP2 days but they weren't in the end. I also thought Magnussen looked superb in his junior career but apart from his first F1 race that hasn't translated either.
My current ones are Max Verstappen who was just mega when I saw him in Euro F3 and also Charles Leclerc from his F2 season. Lando Norris who I thought looked special when I first saw him back in Ginetta Juniors but i think that development curve maybe flattening slightly compared to someone like George Russell who stood out less initially but does look like his development curve has really taken off in the past 2 years and he is building a strong rep as a future star.
I have been both right and wrong on multiple occasions.
I was karting with Lewis and saw him as a future world champion as did most others who were around back then. That has been right 6 times so far. I also had it right about Raikkonen when I first saw him in 2001 in the Sauber.
As for those I had wrong... Montoya. But I think he was just unlucky and was easily good enough. I thought Vandoorne and Hulkenberg looked the real deal from their GP2 days but they weren't in the end. I also thought Magnussen looked superb in his junior career but apart from his first F1 race that hasn't translated either.
My current ones are Max Verstappen who was just mega when I saw him in Euro F3 and also Charles Leclerc from his F2 season. Lando Norris who I thought looked special when I first saw him back in Ginetta Juniors but i think that development curve maybe flattening slightly compared to someone like George Russell who stood out less initially but does look like his development curve has really taken off in the past 2 years and he is building a strong rep as a future star.
It's really easy to say someone looks like a future champ as I tend to think most drivers who've made it to F1 on talent and previous results alone has the potential to be WDC, it's all about being in the right team at the right time though!
I'd say Russell is looking the most certain future champ right now. He's undoubtedly a special talent, he's got a level head and also the backing of the best team in the sport. So long as Merc don't Ocon him and he gets a proper Merc seat in the next few years I think we'll see him pick up multiple WDC's.
I'd say Russell is looking the most certain future champ right now. He's undoubtedly a special talent, he's got a level head and also the backing of the best team in the sport. So long as Merc don't Ocon him and he gets a proper Merc seat in the next few years I think we'll see him pick up multiple WDC's.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Kraken said:
Doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is the leave off the caveat "if they get in the right car". Pretty much anyone on the F1 grid is WDC material in the right car. It's far important than the driver is after all.
Unless someone better is in the other KevinCamaroSS said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Kraken said:
Doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is the leave off the caveat "if they get in the right car". Pretty much anyone on the F1 grid is WDC material in the right car. It's far important than the driver is after all.
Unless someone better is in the other I remember Jackie Stewart telling the world that Jan Magnussen was equal in talent to Senna and a future multiple world champion.
Many suggested that Heinz-Harald Frentzen was better than Michael Schumacher.
And Flavio Briatore said that Button would never win a Grand Prix while he had a hole in his arse (quoting Peter Warr of Lotus who said the same about Mansell)...... which must explain why he's so fat!
Many suggested that Heinz-Harald Frentzen was better than Michael Schumacher.
And Flavio Briatore said that Button would never win a Grand Prix while he had a hole in his arse (quoting Peter Warr of Lotus who said the same about Mansell)...... which must explain why he's so fat!
StevieBee said:
Many suggested that Heinz-Harald Frentzen was better than Michael Schumacher.
We can all make mistakes you know. HH had the talent to be special, I still think that, but he seemed to go off the boil once into F1. All the German support went to some other German, the name escapes me.Despite being, patently, wrong, I still feel the potential was there. He was impressive to watch.
TwentyFive said:
Charles Leclerc from his F2 season
Agree, LeClerc was great to watch in GP2. His season is well worth a re-watch if you're still WFH and fancy something on telly in the background, particularly the Bahrain sprint race and also the Barcelona round where he was incorrectly informed that he was on the last lap, then held the lead for 5 or 6 laps on knackered tyres.sparta6 said:
KevinCamaroSS said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Kraken said:
Doesn't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is the leave off the caveat "if they get in the right car". Pretty much anyone on the F1 grid is WDC material in the right car. It's far important than the driver is after all.
Unless someone better is in the other StevieBee said:
I remember Jackie Stewart telling the world that Jan Magnussen was equal in talent to Senna and a future multiple world champion.
Many suggested that Heinz-Harald Frentzen was better than Michael Schumacher.
And Flavio Briatore said that Button would never win a Grand Prix while he had a hole in his arse (quoting Peter Warr of Lotus who said the same about Mansell)...... which must explain why he's so fat!
to be fair, Sir Jackie never rated Senna that highly Many suggested that Heinz-Harald Frentzen was better than Michael Schumacher.
And Flavio Briatore said that Button would never win a Grand Prix while he had a hole in his arse (quoting Peter Warr of Lotus who said the same about Mansell)...... which must explain why he's so fat!
KevinCamaroSS said:
sparta6 said:
If Grosjean was in the other Merc, would Bottas be WDC ?
Not as likely as Hamilton would be. If Max gets his act together for a full season he could probably run Bottas close, as could Norris.sparta6 said:
Surely you mean if Red Bull gets their act together. Car is not very good at the moment, understeers into oversteer and some odd traction issues.
Agreed the RB seems a bit off at the moment, however, Max has yet to hold it together for a full season, he still suffers from the 'red mist' at times. Until he sorts that out he will lose out on crucial points in a full season.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff