Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

chicorytip wrote: »

Sauber are exactly where they should be - seventh or eighth. Leclerc does not appear to be that exceptionally talented. Most drivers on the grid would perform similarly in the same car. He has made major errors in races this season resulting in crashes. This is a strange appointment by Ferrari - considering their history of hiring experienced race winners - and was made primarily to counter the Verstappen effect. In terms of overall ability he's not in the same league as the Dutchman.

I'm sure someone like Grosjean would have been a much better fit though right? Forgive me if I disregard the above as nonsense.

That lap during Qualy in Brazil alone was special.

Adamocovic wrote: »

I'm a huge fan of Leclerc. Was lucky enough to watch him racing live in F2 and blew me away.

While Hamilton and Vettel are two world class drivers I never took a shine to them. I can't wait for Leclerc at Ferrari though.

He seems like a humble guy and his family and friends are racing mad. Grew up friends with the Bianci's (two families have a lot of history) who I think actually helped fund money for him when he struggled financially when getting into racing.

Definitely one of the most promising drivers to come through in a long while and I really hope it clicks for him.

I'm a huge fan, I think he's got bags of potential. His drive in the sprint race in Bahrain in F2 last season is one of the best drives I've ever seen.

skipper_G wrote: »

I'm sure someone like Grosjean would have been a much better fit though right? Forgive me if I disregard the above as nonsense.

Around the time he said Grosjean should join Ferrari I think he also said Kimi would never again win a race because he was too old & slow now :pac:

Going by calls like that Leclerc could actually be 2019 WDC

chicorytip wrote: »

Sauber are exactly where they should be - seventh or eighth. Leclerc does not appear to be that exceptionally talented. Most drivers on the grid would perform similarly in the same car. He has made major errors in races this season resulting in crashes. This is a strange appointment by Ferrari - considering their history of hiring experienced race winners - and was made primarily to counter the Verstappen effect. In terms of overall ability he's not in the same league as the Dutchman.

I don't agree, would you at least say he has exceptional potential?

Saying most drivers again is a "what if" situation which is hard to use for either side of the argument. What we do know is that in his first year he easily outperformed Ericsson, a teammate with nearly 100 races under his belt. Again you can argue Ericsson's ability.

Leclerc has easily been one of the most promising drivers in the GP2 in a long while. He dominated and showed brilliant ability. I could mention that he easily outperformed the likes of Hamilton and Rosberg when they were in GP2 but then again Palmer did too.

Yes as a new driver in F1 you will make mistakes, I don't think he made nearly as many as you seem to be implying. A lot of incidents he was involved in weren't his fault either. Just listening to how former drivers and commentators get excited and rave about him should be more truth to his ability and potential.

As for the Verstappen comparison, Verstappen has 5 seasons under his belt. I think it's early into Leclerc's career to make the comparison but next year in the Ferrari we can begin that. I don't believe they are similar in style though. It's early days of course, and I think Verstappen/Leclerc will be the next big rivalry in the sport, but I do believe that Leclerc is a cooler customer behind the wheel while Verstappen poses more of a threat at attacking. I think there will be some juicy battles between the two.

And for the Ferrari aspect of it, once you get over the initial shock it's not that big of head-scracther, I don't see it strange at all and don't believe it's the "Verstappen effect". Leclerc has been tipped as the next big driver for Ferrari, a former member of their academy, his first year on the grid he showed real signs of his ability so why sit around and wait. They now have a multiple time world champion in his 30s coupled with a 21 year old with a lot of promise. Obviously it's great experience for Leclerc. McLaren did similarly with Hamilton and Red Bull with Vettel and things worked out nicely.

I'm bias of course, I love Leclerc and can't wait to see him with Ferrari, but if Leclerc doesn't look special to you which of the young new drivers do? Other than Verstappen who as I've said we've been watching in F1 for years.

Thread seems to break

[quote=H3llR4iser;108633171

Excluding Tambay for obvious reasons (career ending accident),.[/quote]

Patrick Tambay retired in 86 when the Haas Lol team closed - the career ending accident was Didier Pironi

Infoanon wrote: »

Patrick Tambay retired in 86 when the Haas Lol team closed - the career ending accident was Didier Pironi

you are entirely correct! Got confused between the two (not the first time, for some reason I keep mixing these two together!)

vectra wrote: »

Like what?
and when did he say these "nice things"

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/137566/alonso-vandoorne-closer-than-other-teammates

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/3017/alonso-vandoorne-one-of-f1-s-best-talents/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9305081/Fernando-Alonso-backs-team-mate-Felipe-Massa-to-come-good-for-Ferrari.html

and so on

Harika wrote: »

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/137566/alonso-vandoorne-closer-than-other-teammates

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/3017/alonso-vandoorne-one-of-f1-s-best-talents/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9305081/Fernando-Alonso-backs-team-mate-Felipe-Massa-to-come-good-for-Ferrari.html

and so on

Inviere wrote: »

On Massa

"I have a lot of respect for Felipe. From the outside it is difficult to appreciate what a challenging time he has given me for the past three years." - Source

On Stofel

"If you see previous teammates, they were a lot further [behind] than Stoffel," Alonso said. “In 2014 it was six or seven tenths to Kimi every race. It’s less than that now." - Source

Both fairly complimentary statements to make, no? Dude, do you even Google? :P

Are you two having a laugh :pac::pac:

Isn't it so convenient for Alonso to say that Vandoorne is the closest to him than any other teammate he had when they are driving what is close to the slowest car on the track?
Would be a bad job if Vandoorne was driving it any slower.
Then again,
Wasn't Lewis much much closer to him in 2007 ?
Can't get much closer than that.
But oh.
Hold on.
Lewis embarrassed him that year being the Rookie up against the Mighty Alonso

As for Massa?

that comment was in 2012.
Just goes to show how bad his judgement really was.
Kimi was third that year in a much lesser able car than Massa had.

vectra wrote: »

When did Alonso respect any team mate?

So you can't answer my question then. Thought so.

Gintonious wrote: »

So you can't answer my question then. Thought so.

The question being
Do I ever google?
yes.

Gintonious wrote: »

Ugh, this is your classic kind of response. Lace it with further questions to try and paint a different picture. You of course have to go back to 2007, you can't reference more recent seasons because it doesn't fit the narrative that you like to paint of Alonso.

And even at that, here is something he said of Lewis this year, but you were never going to mention that one, were you?

well
2007
2012
All old news, But ironically mine seems to be the wrong one.


Sure what else could he say about Lewis.
That he was useless?

Burkie1203 wrote:

Ferrari need someone who differs from Kimi in every way on track.

skipper_G wrote:

I'm sure someone like Grosjean would have been a much better fit though right? Forgive me if I disregard the above as nonsense.

pjohnson wrote:

Around the time he said Grosjean should join Ferrari I think he also said Kimi would never again win a race because he was too old & slow now

pjohnson wrote:

Going by calls like that Leclerc could actually be 2019 WDC

Leclerc has been impressive in the junior categories as have many others who have ultimately failed to make the grade in F1. His performances this season have been, well, just average really. He and Sauber are just about where you would expect them to be. If Ferrari were to appoint a second driver from the current grid purely based on the criteria of achievement and previous experience Grosjean, excepting Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso, would be a good shout. He has the driving skills and real pace and delivers when it counts. It will be interesting to see if Norris, Russell or Leclerc progress to become multiple race winners or, indeed, even world champion.

vectra wrote: »

I seriously think you are just bulling for an argument which you are not going to get from me.
But to answer your silly question.
First thing that springs to mind was what he did to Hamilton in Hungary 2007.
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10959867/fernando-alonso-lewis-hamilton-and-the-hungarian-gp-pit-stop-that-ended-a-mclaren-relationship


Also,
Don't forget "Crashgate"
Please do not tell me Alonso did not know what was going on back then.
I would consider that absolute disrespect for two of his teammates.
Whatever way you want to view it.
I really don't care.

2 good points there to be fair.

Anyone heading over to Abu Dhabi for the final race of the season and Alonso's last?

I know there will always be a black flag against him from the past but I still think he is one of the best drivers we have ever seen.