Your predictions for the driver line-up, 2010
- Thread starter Ardius
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ROAD_DOGG33J
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- holyc0w1
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So do I, he's just been falling asleep lately.
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Forget Button, he needs to wipe the floor with Alonso; just so that the haters can say that Ferrari favors Lewis.
Seriously though, Lewis can't win either way. If he beats his teammate, it's because he's the favorite at McLaren; if he loses to him, it "proves" he's no good.
Literally, nothing he can possibly do will convince people of his worth.The Outlaw
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- GTP_timeattack
I find it funny that now that Button is being linked to Mclaren there is all this talk of favortism and priority drivers within Mclaren...but when you bring up Alonso's time at Mclaren, it's a case of "oh no, that was not an issue...everything was equal between them" 
I agree. Unfortunately that's just what happens when you have a lot of people who are jealous and insecure of the support you were given throughout your career, along with folks who can't judge driving ability beyond a point blank range.
Seriously though, Lewis can't win either way. If he beats his teammate, it's because he's the favorite at McLaren; if he loses to him, it "proves" he's no good.
I agree. Unfortunately that's just what happens when you have a lot of people who are jealous and insecure of the support you were given throughout your career, along with folks who can't judge driving ability beyond a point blank range.
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- 33,155
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BBC are now reporting that Button has joined McLaren.
Although I would have preferred to see him stay with Brawn, it probably is the best move for him. It just strikes me as incredible that Mercedes have bought into the Brawn team but were not prepared to match McLaren's commitment to Button.
Although I would have preferred to see him stay with Brawn, it probably is the best move for him. It just strikes me as incredible that Mercedes have bought into the Brawn team but were not prepared to match McLaren's commitment to Button.
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- GTP_Anghammarad
I don't think there's any doubt that Kimi is the fastest F1 driver today when he's focused
The only problem is that he so seldom is nowadays.
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Show me an article that quotes Button, his manager or someone from McLaren s opposed to vague "sources within the team". Then I'll believe you.
- 1,163
- ijp420uk
- martinp1987 (it's my brothers)
I look for Seb Vettel to challenge hard next year as well.
Championship might be a five way fight between Massa, Alonso, Hamilton, Button and Vettel with maybe Kubica challenging if Renualt pull the fingers out of their rear end
Just announce on Sky Sports News that Button has signed for McLaren @12:48
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- Tezuka18
Here's some quotes from Jenson on the move to Mclaren
http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/11/18/button-difficult-decision-to-leave-brawn/
http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/11/18/button-difficult-decision-to-leave-brawn/
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The BBC would not report it unless they were sure it was happening. It has now been officially announced anyway.
The Outlaw
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I would have liked to have seen Button do what Kimi did in the F60 this year (several podiums and a win) 💡 While outscoring Button in the 2nd half of the season in a far inferior car. And lets not forget that this was when the Brawn wasn't the ABSOLUTE dominant car anymore, allowing Button to runaway with wins...which is the key point. If anything your boy Button is over rated. Most everyone knows that Kimi is like a light switch, and there's no question that when he is on, he is as quick as anyone in F1 ever. So I don't see how someone who has as much raw talent and speed as Kimi can be over rated...as he is probably the most naturally gifted driver to ever step foot into F1.
Brawn/Mercedes felt that Button wasn't worth the money he was asking for,, after his stumblings in the 2nd half of the season. Mclaren was looking for a solid driver who wasn't looking for the type of money that Raikkonen wanted. Button just happened to be the strongest free agent for Mclaren's purposes, without costing them an arm and a leg.
And I can't say I agree that Mclaren was the best move for Jenson. To most critics he just shot himself in the foot by going to Mclaren, because to have a shot at winning the WDC again, he'll have to get through his team mate first, who is one of, if not the strongest drivers in F1 in the moment with a helluva lot of motivation to regain his crown and stomp on whoever gets in his way, while undoubtedly having a bit of a upper hand at Mclaren.
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- 10,373
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- Ardius_
I find it funny that now that Button is being linked to Mclaren there is all this talk of favortism and priority drivers within Mclaren...but when you bring up Alonso's time at Mclaren, it's a case of "oh no, that was not an issue...everything was equal between them"
I don't recall such posts here, I do in other forums.
Not really a fair comment if none of the people here who posted about there being favouritism at McLaren weren't the ones who stated the opposite previously.
On the Kimi Raikkonen thing, I agree he has become a little over-rated. Part of being a driver is your ability to "switch on" when needed. Kimi of recent seasons is not the same Kimi of the past. He has definitely woken up after Massa's crash but I'm not sure he's miles ahead of Hamilton or Alonso.
I guess he's suffering Hakkinen syndrome, amazingly fast when he is on it but for some reason fizzles out somewhat randomly.
Its quite a conundrum why he seemingly lacks something, but I think he does.
The real reason Button is better than Raikkonen for McLaren is as timeattack said - because he is cheaper and does the job. Not to mention a million times more marketable, especially with sponsors like Vodafone. Sometimes an amazing driver isn't worth any price, and you have to wonder why Ferrari were so desperate to buy out his contract 1 year early.....
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Roo
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Ah nuts. Button at McLaren is not good. Firstly it's Lewis' team, and the car has been built for him - I'm fairly sure Jenson and Lewis' car preferences are chalk and cheese. Secondly, from a selfish national pride point of view, if the McLaren's a dog (I know it's a continuation of this year's car) then most of Britain will turn off and we have no hope. There's more to racing than money, Jenson...
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- Ardius_
Not if Mercedes were basically telling him they didn't want him there. Not offering a small rise considering he is world champion and they are not the struggling small team anymore doesn't really sound like they are enthusiastic about employing him very long.
Button was well within his rights to demand a rise - he was allegedly on 3 million compared to Alonso's 20 million+. Its such a peanuts amount I don't think the "he wanted too much money" argument really applies.
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Oh come on Roo, we're British, we never have any hope!
As for point one, don't agree with it. Just because a car has been built around the No1 driver, who happens to be able to get the best out of it, doesn't mean Jenson can't do the same. Don't make any assumptions based on Kova's results, the guy is poor. I fully expect Jenson to push Lewis, though I reckon Lewis will come out on top.
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- lipming
I wouldn't mind seeing Heidfeld at Mercedes, it would be interesting to have a Britain vs Germany aspect although it would just turn into a track-based re-enactment of World War II, which is what a lot people around here seem to be hoping for.
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Well, I'd like to see Heidfeld in a top car for a change and I think he's the best option available to them.
Sutil just hasn't proven himself consistent enough yet. Kovalainen has had his time at a top team. Trulli is probably going to Lotus.
I kind of hope they would take a risk and hire Kobayashi, but its very unlikely.
But really, a line-up of drivers who have never won a race doesn't sound very good compared to the drool-worthy line-ups at other teams...
Sutil just hasn't proven himself consistent enough yet. Kovalainen has had his time at a top team. Trulli is probably going to Lotus.
I kind of hope they would take a risk and hire Kobayashi, but its very unlikely.
But really, a line-up of drivers who have never won a race doesn't sound very good compared to the drool-worthy line-ups at other teams...
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Here's a curveball for you;
How about Michael Schumacher for a drive in the Mercedes, he has stepped down as advisor for Ferrari F1 team although it seems he may continue with helping to develop their road cars.
Would Norbert Haug want an all german line up for the team if he could convince schumy to get on board?
How about Michael Schumacher for a drive in the Mercedes, he has stepped down as advisor for Ferrari F1 team although it seems he may continue with helping to develop their road cars.
Would Norbert Haug want an all german line up for the team if he could convince schumy to get on board?
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- lipming
I think it's pathetic when people like Kimi complain about their salary, that man gets paid more in one race than most people get in a lifetime for christs sake.
If the FIA want to cut costs, give all the drivers a salary of no more than a million or two euros, I'm sure they can get by without 5 houses and a private yacht the size of Titanic.
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I think Kimi's situation is a bit peculiar, because from what I read somewhere, he gets a lot of money from Ferrari (not sure if it's his year salary) but only if he doesn't have a salary from another F1 team.
So, basically he wins more by not racing this year (at least in F1, don't know if it applies to anmy rallying contract)
- 1,163
- ijp420uk
- martinp1987 (it's my brothers)
You would have thought that if Mercedes were serious, they would go and get Raikkonen themselves, try and tempt him out of his sabbitical.
Real world? Kovalinen is available, De La Rosa is a choice with his past experience but maybe they will give someone like Paul DeResta or even Gary Paffett a chance.
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I've read that Kimi is being paid €17m to take a year out of f1 by Ferrari, this would drop to €10m if he drove for another team.
I don't think this applies to any other motorsports so we could see him doing some more WRC next year
I don't think this applies to any other motorsports so we could see him doing some more WRC next year
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- Ardius_
Dear lord, this has to have been the most bat-flapping-insane season for driver changes we have seen..well..ever! Before 2009, could anyone have predicted Raikkonen out of a drive? Schumacher cancelling a return? Badoer returning after 10 years? Fisichella to Ferrari? Button to McLaren? Barrichello to Williams?
It seems the only predictable change was Alonso to Ferrari.
Schumacher returning again but for Mercedes will surely top the cake? Or do we really think Jacques Villenueve is coming back? Who is next? Damon Hill? Jean Alesi? Zombie Ayrton Senna?
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Hey if we're bringing back great drivers of the past, who could forget about Alain Prost? He's been keeping race sharp in the Andros Trophy over recent years and he's a hugely experienced driver. F1 needs some great barnets
I know this will never happen I'm just being silly
I know this will never happen I'm just being silly
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