"Hamilton sets his sights on the title" , can he do it?

[Touring Mars]

I reckon he can do it, so long as Ferrari stick to their seemingly new approach of not favouring any particular driver. Massa is proving himself just as capable as Kimi this season, and this could play nicely into McLaren's hands...

I sincerely hope this is the case, since the title needs to be as close as this to keep it interesting. Although the title is building up to be a close 4-way battle for the first time in a very long time, the actual races have been pretty dull (at the sharp end, anyway)... the best action is going on behind the front four this year, and so far, the race has been all but decided in Turn One every time.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

After all, which rookie has ever had better hardware under him?

Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 had a car that was clearly the class of the field.

The more interesting question is: When has McLaren had an 8/8 finishing record in a season before?

It's quite nice that Hamilton takes the "Youngest driver to lead a world championship" title from... Bruce McLaren. If he can string together three victories on the bounce, starting in Monaco, he'll be very difficult to catch.

 

[TheCracker]

Yes, he has a good track record at Monaco in other Formulas, there's no reason why he can't get his first GP win there.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 had a car that was clearly the class of the field.

I was thinking more of rookies in the last decade ...

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I was thinking more of rookies in the last decade ...

Only one year off.

And only one rookie since Jacques has gone on to win the World Championship. Actually, thinking about it, when, since Villeneuve in 96, has a rookie won a race in his debut season? I'm thinking Montoya, and, err... Can you think of any other race-winning rookies?

 

[daan]

the best action is going on behind the front four this year,

Mostly centered round about DC. With his 2 good drives up though the field in Bahrain & Spain, there's life in the old dog yet.

 

[Small_Fryz]

How do you class michael schumachers 1991 and 1992 seasons?
is 1991 his "rookie" year or is 1992 his rookie year?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

'92, I would say. He started '91 more than halfway through the season, and with virtually no testing. With the groomed youngsters these days, they've all done 20,000km+ before they step out on a race weekend.

 

[Blake]

I’d say 1991. The same as I don’t think Kubica is a rookie any more.

IMO if you have any race experience before the start of a season you’re not a rookie.

 

[MustangSVT]

The last people to win races in their rookie year were Villeneuve and Montoya, I don't remember anyone else winning a race in their maiden year. Schumacher also won at least one race in '92 which was his first full year.

 

[JohnBM01]

I've been thinking of a different sort of aspect about Hamilton's successes. He's been all or mostly perfect. But what happens when he'll have to face adversity? I think the mark of great champions and winners is in rebounding from things like DNF's and being roughed up unintentionally and intentionally by other drivers. Hamilton has been consistent all season so far. To be a true champion, I'll have to see what he does when the races don't go right for him. As an example, I remembered sometime in 1999 or 2000 where Michael Schumacher stuffed his Ferrari into a tire wall at Silverstone and was out of commission with some injuries. Since then... we know where this is going- did nothing but win races and place consistently... until Montoya and Alonso had their respective say. Or take a non-racing example like Ben Roethlisberger for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think he lost only two games in his rookie season after being a Miami University Redhawk. Even won a playoff game. The season after? He wins a Super Bowl. Then we know what happened to him since if you follow the NFL.

So that's my storyline for Hamilton. He's done great, but what happens when he has to face some tough luck situations and has to fight back when down? It's my storyline for 2007. I still say this is not Hamilton's year. I like this guy, but I don't think this is his year. I'd like to see how Hamilton bounces back from rough races. I haven't seen too much of that yet. So how will he fare? And what do you think about my unique take I've taken on L. Hamilton?

 

[Alex.]

Confidence is never a bad thing.

*cough* Schumacher cheater *cough*


Althogh it brought Schumi 7 titles, it also bought him a most unwatned controversial side to his career.

 

[MagpieRacer]

That said he did only really cheat 3 times (that I can think of right now) only one of those times it benefitted his title..

 

[Small_Fryz]

in 20 years no one will care. Schu will always have those 7 titles.

His mistakes technically cost him another 2 titles, punishment enough. One could argue his monaco stunt cost him the championship, those extra points could of got him that.

Plus its not like other drivers havnt done similar things

 

[Stevisiov]

in 20 years no one will care. Schu will always have those 7 titles.

His mistakes technically cost him another 2 titles, punishment enough. One could argue his monaco stunt cost him the championship, those extra points could of got him that.

Plus its not like other drivers havnt done similar things

Your right in 20 years no one will remember his cheating on a few occasions, at the end of the day it will be his titles that will stand out.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Your right in 20 years no one will remember his cheating on a few occasions, at the end of the day it will be his titles that will stand out.

I think Senna will be remembered more than Schumacher, because of what he did beyond the track. It was not until after his death that it was discovered he had donated huge sums of money to various charities anonymously (I think), as well as footage of him pulling over at Spa to help a driver who had just wiped out on Blnachimont, Senna putting himself at huge personal risk to make sure the other driver was alright. Somehow, I can't see Schumacher ever doing that. I can however, see Hamilton doing both, though that may be because he's a bit of a green racer, and let's face it, a little too naive to be as narcissistic as the other drivers can be.

 

[sejtur]

I think Hamilton can definately do it. The only question is: when will he do it. For this year he has a good chance. I hope the battle will go between him and Massa, because I'd like to see both winning the title of this year. They're both nice guys, and when they're in the cockpit they just do their thing 100%, they deserve it.👍

 

[Small_Fryz]

I think Senna will be remembered more than Schumacher, because of what he did beyond the track. It was not until after his death that it was discovered he had donated huge sums of money to various charities anonymously (I think),

Schumacher donated 10million USD from his own pocket to the tsunami appeal in 2004. Granted 10million might not be a lot for schumacher but 10million is 10million. And thats the only one I know about.

Correct me if im wrong but after Senna's death Schumacher did a lot for F1 drivers saftey?

 

[MagpieRacer]

Michael Schumahcer has done more for F1 than some people care to realise.

 

[<_Spike_>]

Yeah and he also grinned like a chesire cat on that podium as if nothing had happened on the race weekend where we lost Ratzenburger and Senna, with another driver injured and several spectators injured, he showed no respect for that, in fact he showed more respect at United States 05 than San Marino 94. One of several reasons my respect for Schumi is low if at all existent. But that's not what the thread is about...

I think for Hamilton to win the title, he needs to start winning races, if Massa continues to win and Hamilton ends up second everytime it's still not going to be enough, he's only in the lead of the title after this weekend through Alonso's c*ck up, Kimi's retirement and Massa having had a slow start. Yes, his own merit has awarded him his podium finishes, but had the above things not have been true he may not be in this slender lead of the title. Maybe Monaco will spice things up and he can continue his fine racing form at Monaco by winning, who knows, if not...no big deal, it's only his first season, I'm sure he'll win a race or two this season, but the Championship? Debatable for this year

 

[sejtur]

Yeah and he also grinned like a chesire cat on that podium as if nothing had happened on the race weekend where we lost Ratzenburger and Senna, with another driver injured and several spectators injured, he showed no respect for that, in fact he showed more respect at United States 05 than San Marino 94. One of several reasons my respect for Schumi is low if at all existent. But that's not what the thread is about...

Um, Spike, Schumi didn't know at that time that Senna died, he only knew Senna crashed... now that reason isn't 'valid' anymore, what are your other reasons for not having respect for Schumi?

Sorry for going off-topic, but I just had to set this straight.

 

[Small_Fryz]

"In 1994 het jaar waarin de legendarische Ayrton Senna verongelukt word Michael Schumacher wereldkampioen. Na diskwalificaties, een zwarte vlag, een aanvaring met Damon Hill, en het het vermeende gebruik van illegale elektronica behaald de Duitser zijn 1e wereldtitel. Op Imola bestaat er grote verontwaardiging als Michael Schumacher na de dodelijke crash van Senna vrolijk staat te juichen. Na de race hoort Michael Schumacher hoe het met Senna staat, de Duitser trekt zich terug in zijn motorhome en roept steeds hetzelfde tegen Ross Brawn: "Wij hebben hem vermoord Ross, wij hebben het gedaan". Brawn weet Schumacher te kalmeren en dus word de Duitser vervolgens wereldkampioen."

Translated by Hugo Boss back when i 1st found this quote.

"In 1994, the year wherin the legendary Ayrton Senna gets killed, Michael Schumacher becomes world champion. After disqualifications, a black flag, a collision with Damon Hill and the hypothetical use of illegal electronics the German gets his first world title. There's a huge discourtesy when Schumacher is cheering after the fatal crash of Senna. After the race Schumacher hears about the situation of Senna, the German retreats into his motorhome and keeps on exclaiming to Ross Brawn: "We killed him Ross, we did it". Brawn succeeds in calming down Schumacher en so the German becomes world champion."

And lets not forget that time at monza where schumacher broke down when he had to talk about senna.

 

[<_Spike_>]

Fair enough, I'll retract HALF of that statement (I some how fail to see how he didn't know about Ratzenburger), but there's still been a few little cheating moments and a lot of things said that I and many others (in and out of the sport) have disagreed with and consider to show a lot about this man's supposed character and those are the rest of the reasons I just don't respect him much, only way I do respect him in the slightest is his recent attempt at adding in a hand (or at least a famous face) to helping clean up things when it comes to road safety and global warming...at least I think...eh I dunno i only caught that on the news once.

 

[jammyozzy]

To add something to the Schumacher debate, Murray Walker in 'Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken' has nothing bad to say about his character. He's supposedly a very friendly guy, committed to his family just like any other person.

My personal view is that although he has done some unsportsmanly things, which have tarnished his career somewhat, he was (and I presume still is) one hell of a driver.

But anyway, veering back on topic, I think Hamilton could possibly win the title this year, simply because at the moment he has something going for him that the Raikkonon, Massa and Alonso don't: consistency. I don't think Hamilton quite has the pace to take an overall win yet, although he has a very good chance at Monaco, but if he can continue to pick up 2nd and 3rd places all season while the other three fight over outright wins, he could simply win on attrition.

 

[Appie]

I still remember when Kimi was 2nd in 2003 with only one win. YOu think that Hamilton can repeat that?

 

[jammyozzy]

Possibly. If Massa, Raikkonen and Alonso are going to be constantly switching between 1st and off the podium while Hamilton keeps finishing 2nd and 3rd, he could end up scoring more points over the course of a full season.

I personally would love for him to simply launch off into a winning streak, with a massive finale at the end of the season where he, Massa, Raikkonen and Alonso could all take the title at Brazil, but failing that Hamilton winning in a less spectacular attrition war (go Britain! ) would be my second favourite outcome.

 

[Jay.]

Monaco GP!!

Lewis Hamilton takes second to Alonso's first.

This guy is going to be one of the best F1 drivers in history.
Five times on the podium already.
Four 2nd's and one 3rd.

You don't get drivers like this very often.

Lewis Hamilton - Formula One's Future!