Dear friends I am not prone to knee jerk reactions but this thought has crossed my mind on numerous occasions. During an interview with SKYF1 Bernie said he did not believe Fernando would win another world championship.
I had hoped that with Hondas experience and technical know how they would have made significant steps this season and challenge Mercedes but that does not look like it is going to happen. It will probably be 2017 before Honda are a credible threat at the top of F1 and one has to ask, will Fernando still be relevant?
At Ferrari we saw his abilities and know his talent but we have lots of young hungry talented individuals coming through like Ricciardo, Bottas, Sainz, Verstappen and established talent like Hamilton and Vettel and one wonders if Fernando still has a championship in him.
I think back to his time at Ferrari and perhaps letting Massa compete with him fairly may have taken more points of RedBull and helped him seal a title. Or maybe if he was not an immature cheating prìck he could have stayed at McLaren and won titles from 2008 onwards or perhaps he was terrified by Hamilton.
So what do you guys think? Is our matadors chance of another title gone? Will he ever secure another truly competitive seat?
Is it over for Fernando?
Is it over for Fernando?
posted on 13/7/15
I know, but look at the difference between Honda's entries in 2008 and 2009.
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2009 Brawn was powered by Mercedes though
posted on 13/7/15
na not over yet... Is he the fastest, na dont think so anymore however he is still defo fast enough given the right car. I dont think he will win a WDC unless he has the best car tho. I think he still has 2 years at the top level however a man of Fernando's talent and experience can still race competitively in F1 for another 4/5. Its all down to whether he still has the right desire and hunger there after so many poor seasons in a row.
posted on 13/7/15
Think he needs to weigh his next move seriously if McLaren does not work out
posted on 13/7/15
dunno mclaren might stil be his best shot .... Hamilton is the quickest out there... then there is a battle for the rest...I dont for example think that there is much difference in pace between the likes of Bottas and Alonso however one is far cheaper than the other to employ. Therfore no one is gonna really take Alonso unless they have big money. His only hope is that Mclaren come good. Does anyone know how Mcalren/Honda are splitting up their resources now...ie any idea if they are prioritising this years car or next just now. this years car is a right off, best spending everything possible gettin next years correct.
I dont think Williams have it in them to produce a WDC unless they get some major funding, He wont be at Merc or Ferrari. I honestly think he hould stay put at Mclaren as they have outside Merc and Ferrair they are the only ones i can see haveing any chance of producing a car capable of beating the merc or italians.
posted on 13/7/15
Both he and Hamilton should have more WDC's to their name for the talent they have. However i am more than aware that a WDC doesnt always mean you were the best driver... it means you were the best car/driver combo
posted on 13/7/15
Indeed, Vettel is a perfect example of how a limited driver can win a lot of titles in the right package.
Hamilton should have at least 2 more titles, 2007 and 2012 and Alonso should have won 2010.
posted on 13/7/15
Yeah im with you kinda on that one.. i dont think Vettel is as limited as say you have down as. He has massive strengths over the field as well as weaknesses. I dont think for example he is great at pushing a car beyond its limit i also think he is weak at driving at 100% for a full race. However he is fantastic at setting up cars and the preperation work he does with the teams close season is second to none (heard he is a complete different level from any other driver out on track in this regard) but as i said lacks the out right pace that in the end is what people see.
I wouldnt say that Vettel is particularly lucky in this sense either as i think any driver who gets a very good car is lucky .... Hamilton is lucky he came in thro mclaren for example. although to start goin in to the luck factor is pointless every single driver in the history of the sport has been very lucky to get to where they got.
You also have to ask youself the question "as F1 has never been the no 1 sport/pastime in the world how many talented people have slilpped thro nets/how many kids never had the funding to support the racing (my excuse !).
For example I am a fairly competent racer (judging by the small karting things i have done (yet to visit the green hell but the mrs would never let me take the car!), Iv done the race days at Knockill and also Brands Hatch and topped the times for those days plus i have been SIM racing for years and years now. Now i aint saying i am a sob story or that i would have made it, but i came from a single parent household and my old man struggled to make ends meet. It was impossible for me to ever have a chance in the sport that requires money at the bottom level. ie a kick about down the park cost nothing but there is no level of racing that is free. .......sigh !
posted on 13/7/15
but back to the main point !! lol after unloading my regrets! Yeah in terms of ability i would go with what you said and the history books will have Vettel massively overated in terms of ability
posted on 14/7/15
I guess in terms of the best driver Hamilton and Alonso certainly deserve a world title each.
But i also think Felipe massa was a better driver than Hamilton in that season.
posted on 17/7/15
Bearing in mind that McLaren have manufactured yet another disasterous season for their drivers I think it is a case of honour that they recognise the efforts of both drivers in the this years dust cart and re-sign both drivers for next season.