Grand Prix thread Not606 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Chat and Predictions

Why so chap?

 

Did anyone watch Ted's notebook in relation to the Spain crash? Lewis quit the team which is why Pascal was drafted into the test and that resulted in Nico's contract being upped from a 1 year deal to a 2 year deal.

Mercedes have confirmed they may take disciplinary measures against Lewis Hamilton after he ignored pitwall instructions during the Abu Dhabi GP but vowed to keep any punishment a private matter.

"There is so much going on in the background which plays a role in how we are thinking and this is why I don't want to express an opinion before I've actually made up my mind for myself," said team boss Toto Wolff.

"This is something I will keep internal. I just need to form an opinion, which I haven't yet" (Full story)

 

So he is in for a punishment for testing perhaps?

 

Lewis will be at McHonda when Alonso leaves, I've said it many times before.

By then Honda will be closer to the Merc performance and he'll swan into a competitive team.

It annoys me, as Button and maybe Alonso will never get to enjoy the fruits of developments there, but it is on the cards unless Ferrari can tempt him.

No other teams will get him.

 

Punish a driver for trying to win the title when only he and his teammate could win it? I sometimes wonder what special brand of crack they're smoking in the Merc board room... Honestly.

 

I don't get it. Constructors championship won, one of their drivers will win the driver's championship, why the hell are there team orders involved? There is only one way Hamilton could hope to win it, do they for one second think any driver is going to give up the chance of winning a WDC so that the team can have a guaranteed 1-2? To paraphrase Ayrton Senna, if you didn't go for it "then you are no longer a racing driver".

I genuinely don't don't know what Merc management are thinking.

 

Merc is just a soulless corperation here to sell more cars. They don't give a toss about the spectacle, just the numbers... and when they're not up front anymore they'll bugger off and go dabble elsewhere.

Surely the breifing before the race should have been "Best of luck, keep it clean, make sure both cars finish." That's all that was needed and that's exactly what was achieved.

 

I want to see Hamilton in a Ferrari before he retires. Hope I get to see it, even though they're a shower of turds right now.

 

that's why i hate the current formula.

There are manufacturers in it to sell and develop road cars. They forget that this is a sport.

Today for me should be the day that Mercedes lose all support from F1 fans because today should have been about two people- Lewis and Nico. An amazing position for the team to be in with constructors sewn up and only their two drivers in the fight, yet they decided that there could not be a Championship battle if it risked one of their drivers winning the race.

I'm glad Lewis told them to **** off.

 

It's thanks to Hamilton that there was a race today. Even the Mrs came in to watch the last ten laps when it looked like it would get tasty

 

That's no surprise Hamilton always needs the best car. Only time he's not had a top car was the first half of the 2009 season and he was awful.

 

Get back to the football mate.

I could sit here and go through all the times where he stuck it on pole against mighty Ferrari and Red Bull opposition but I can't be arsed.

F1 in winning drivers tend to have fast cars shocker.

 

There's a few things you xan count on Hamilton for.

1. Putting his foot in his mouth.
2. Getting a crucial overtake done
3. Dragging an under par car kicking and screaming around a race track.

 

The question is the threat of quitting which was real enough for Merc to drag Pascal in and up Nico's contract? Why?

Merc have controlled their drivers through micro management throughout their reign which has benefited both drivers. I'm unsure why a driver revolt is both expected and viewed as appropriate for this one race? I'm not saying Lewis has done anything different to that which other drivers would have considered, but you can't pick and choose the team directives.

There is obviously a relationship issue in the background.

 

I'd imagine he blew his stack with Lauda, who lets face it is quite bonkers at times.

As for this race. Obey a team order and give up the title, or ignore the order and potentially win the title. It's an absolute no-brainer. I can't imagine anybody on that wall would expect him to concede the title because of a team order.

 

Hamilton has major trust issues with this engineer swap that happened and said he will tell the truth in his book one day.

Hamilton just wants a fair shot at racing. Guessing he blew his top in Barcelona because they were trying to stop them racing in future to avoid further incident and suspect Hamilton said why don't you just trust us to race hard and fair.

I think it's obvious Hamilton leaves after his current contract, and who knows maybe even before.

He's won the 3 titles like his idol and to me he would roll the dice in 2018 onwards in terms of a new team.

 

Can you imagine Alonso or Vettel obeying that team order today? No, nor can I. Because they are winners not robots.

 

We've seen what Vettel has made of team orders when there is a WDC at stake...... That's why he has 4.

 

I signed a contract for a new job last week, one of the clauses means I won't be allowed to post in F1 related social media any more.

 

We can class this as anti-social media if you like.

And very intriguing... What on earth would you be doing that would prevent you commenting on F1 related material pray tell? *taps fingers on desk*

Well, I for one will miss your input, so whatever area you're venturing in to, all the best to you sir!