119 replies to this topic

[emmanuelrubi]

Now that PM is heading to a top team that will give him a car that will allow him to constantly fight for wins does he have what it takes to become a world champion ? what results do you expect from him in 2014 ? could Lotus really give him a decent car ?

[Jon83]

No

 

Lotus could give him a decent car but a lot of his millions would end up being spent on repair work / spare parts

Edited by Jon83, 26 November 2013 - 17:04.

[Group B]

No

[John Player]

That would be a red bull car, no he does not have that.

[Zoetrope]

Lotus never could constantly fight for wins during 2009-2013 era and I doubt they will after the rules changes. But answering the question, I think he is very fast but at the moment I doubt he has stamina, consistency and overtaking abilities to become a title contender. Unless he has clearly the best car, then yes. His Barcelona 12' drive was marvelous. As for this year, I think he under performed, because he was just frustrated and was lacking motivation. I still rate him higher than Bottas.

[emmanuelrubi]

so what do you expect from PM in 2014 ?

[fifi]

 

hold on and let me pick myself off the floor

 

[Jackmancer]

No - he's got the speed, not the consistency or proper mindseat. He's not a teamplayer.

[Andrew Hope]

Because the 8 other threads we have to **** on Maldonado aren't enough? We need another one to bitch about him? Let me guess, Hulkenberg should've got the seat?

[DampMongoose]

Now that PM is heading to a top team that will give him a car that will allow him to constantly fight for wins does he have what it takes to become a world champion ? what results do you expect from him in 2014 ? could Lotus really give him a decent car ?

 

Hmmm, last I heard he was going to Lotus... a team on the brink of insolvency.  I don't think that's a recipe for Pastor being WDC.

[sopa]

so what do you expect from PM in 2014 ?

 

I expect Grosjean to gather better results out of the two Lotus drivers. That's all I can say at this stage without knowing the car competitivenesses.

[emmanuelrubi]

well consider this Lotus this year was extremely competitive if not of this Vettel RB dominance i think they would have won at least 3 or 4 gp and they didnt have any budget at all, now add to this 30 M and a very fast but not constant driver who knows !

[ANF]

Of course he has what it takes. After all, Damon Hill could do it.

[DampMongoose]

Given they couldn't afford to pay salaries this year and still haven't found a decent sponsor scenario to continue... just how good do you expect next years car to be??? i'd suggest Pastor's money isn't going to be spent on the 2014 car, it will be paid to creditors relating to this year from the hole they've dug themselves. 

[emmanuelrubi]

Given they couldn't afford to pay salaries this year and still haven't found a decent sponsor scenario to continue... just how good do you expect next years car to be??? i'd suggest Pastor's money isn't going to be spent on the 2014 car, it will be paid to creditors relating to this year from the hole they've dug themselves. 

 

Yeah thats true but i mean 30 m its big money how much can they be in debt 5 m at most.

[DrF]

Is he confirmed at Lotus?

[emmanuelrubi]

Is he confirmed at Lotus?

 

I really hope he dont, but everything points he will, Hulk will be with FI  who else could it be ?

[spacekid]

No.

 

I think somewhere he has fundamental speed, which I like, but he has a sucky attitude and I see no evidence of any consistency in unlocking that speed.

 

I believe getting the whole team to gel as a unit behind a drivers push for a WDC is key, and can't see Maldonado doing that.

[Kingshark]

If Button, Hill and Villeneuve could win championships, then why can't Maldonado? Assuming that he has the car to pull it off.

[ExFlagMan]

Yeah thats true but i mean 30 m its big money how much can they be in debt 5 m at most.

They allegedly owe Kimi £14.5 million for a start!

[spacekid]

If Button, Hill and Villeneuve could win championships, then why can't Maldonado? Assuming that he has the car to pull it off.

 

I honestly believe that all of Button, Hill and Villeneuve, while maybe not out of the same drawer that Seb, Nando and Vettel are from, are a considerable cut above Maldonado.

[emmanuelrubi]

They allegedly owe Kimi £14.5 million for a start!

 

Really ? Wow i think then they are in big trouble now :S

[sheogorath]

Because the 8 other threads we have to **** on Maldonado aren't enough? We need another one to bitch about him? Let me guess, Hulkenberg should've got the seat?

 

Haven't you heard?. If you don't bash Maldonado you don't belong with the cool kids.

[Szoelloe]

No

 

+1

[f1RacingForever]

Anyone can be champion if the car is good enough, but the likely hood of him ending up in such a car is well...bad. He is not the type of driver to mount a challenge in an inferior car so no, he will not be champion. Doubt he would still be in F1 if not for all the money be brings.

[emmanuelrubi]

what to expect from him in 2014 if he joins Lotus ? maybe a win ? podiums ? 

[MikeV1987]

Not until he learns to race clean.

[Bawdy]

He has speed but lacks in consistency and attitude. No, I don't see him ever winning the WDC.

[Nemo1965]

Let me say this: just like with cars on the road, there are no bad drivers around any more. Any driver on the grid now is a supreme, worldclass-driver... Give any of them the best car, and they will win races. Max Chilton also would have won races in the RB of this year, but not the WCD... just as Webber would not have won it, even if Vettel had not been his teammate. The times are over that reall nov-valleurs are able to buy a seat. Any paydriver from the seventies would have loved to have, say, Guido van der Garde's pedigree before F1.

 

But, as Vettel has shown, however good the RB of this year is, the car itself is not enough to beat the competition. Otherwise we would have had a lot more 1-2 finishes, and Alonso would not have finished second in the WCD. 

 

So, does Pastor got what it takes to be WCD? No. All evidence shows that if he has a winning car he will able to deliver... at least in once race. However, usually the world championship for drivers is not won by winning races, that has been proven over and over again in the history of F1. Winning races is not the challenge, it's the second, third, fourth and fifth places that usually clinch the title, either at the last race (Rosberg 1982, Hamilton 2008) or during the build up during the season.

[dau]

Let's see.

 

Hands: 2

Feet: 2

Eyes: 2

 

Yup, everything there.

[artista]

Let's see.

Hands: 2
Feet: 2
Eyes: 2

Yup, everything there.

Erm, did you forget the brain on purpose?

[dau]

Erm, did you forget the brain on purpose?

Brains are soooo overrated when you have the fastest car. Which is all you need to be world champion.

[Atreiu]

Mansell won a title despite being incredibly clumsy, and Maldonado is very fast. Who knows, a fast and constant car might be what it takes for him to iron out his mistakes and surprise everyone.

Edited by Atreiu, 26 November 2013 - 18:23.

[olliek88]

Hate to state the obvious but F1 is an engineering race as much as it is a car race. Given the right equipment Max Chilton (No offence, Max) could win the championship. Would he beat a Vettel/Alonso/Hamilton/Rosberg in the same equipment? Highly doubtful, although with that said, despite all of his faults Pastor is a very fast driver on the right day and i wouldn't be shocked if he could out qualify a top driver in the same car from time to time.

[KavB]

Perhaps in a dominant car with a weak teammate. He can fight for many wins but I can't see him beating the top 4 drivers to a title because of their consistency. 

[SonJR]

If he gets into a car as dominant as the 2009 Brawn or the 2011 or 2013 Red Bull, sure. Provided, that is, he's quicker and more consistent than his team mate.

 

Edit: This goes for probably more than half the grid at their current level (so not counting potential), though. And I rate Pastor to be near the bottom of that group.

Edited by SonJR, 26 November 2013 - 18:26.

[EthanM]

everyone can be a WDC, but under normal circumstances I 'd expect Grosjean to spank Maldonado so no, he's wouldnt be my pick for potential future WDC

[Atreiu]

Of course he has what it takes. After all, Damon Hill could do it.

 

Mansell cold do it, and he once lost a win because he slowed down too much and the engine shut off. And at another occasion he drove in reverse in the pit lane, got black flagged and crashed out against a WDC competitor.

 

You cannot make it up.

Edited by Atreiu, 26 November 2013 - 18:52.

[NexusIcon]

Even if the Lotus is somehow the best car next year (don't laugh, it could happen) I'd still expect Romain to out score Pastor over the season.

[Baddoer]

Just to see how his personality annoys half of this forum - YES.

[fisssssi]

[KingTiger]

No and Lotus won't be good at all next year anyway. 

[SealTheDiffuser]

I say yes!

I hope Lotus makes it to the grid next year.

MAL in a good car will lengthen a lot of faces here.

[FerrariFanInTexas]

What's with the Mansell bashing in this thread? 

 

Good heavens, if a man can go from 12th to first at the Hungaroring in 1989 can we really consider him a poor driver?  Passing Patrese, Prost, and Senna on track is not the act of someone who is clumsy or questionable.  Or how about his move around Berger at Peraltada at Mexico in 1990?  Someone with 31 career victories?

 

Let's get some perspective here folks.

 

/Rant

 

On topic - No.

Edited by FerrariFanInTexas, 26 November 2013 - 19:14.

[Myrvold]

Somehow, I wonder if he even will get a seat. I cannot see anyone taking him without sponsorship. And is it guaranteed that PDSVA will continue?

[fabr68]

No.  Newey has not joined Lotus as far as I know.

[DutchQuicksilver]

No

 

Lotus could give him a decent car but a lot of his millions would end up being spent on repair work / spare parts

What rubbish. Maldonado has hardly crashed a car this year. Why do people still see him as the same driver as in 2011 and 2012. He's matured massively in the past season (his driving, not his personality of course)

 

If Lotus give him a car like they had this year, of course he can win races with it. He'll give Grosjean a serious run for his money no doubt.

[MikeV1987]

What rubbish. Maldonado has hardly crashed a car this year. Why do people still see him as the same driver as in 2011 and 2012. He's matured massively in the past season (his driving, not his personality of course)

 

If Lotus give him a car like they had this year, of course he can win races with it. He'll give Grosjean a serious run for his money no doubt.

 I see his dumb moves like the one he did on Vergne in Brazil and cant help but think he does not have what it takes to keep a title fight going all season long with the top guys.

Edited by MikeV1987, 26 November 2013 - 19:23.

[Burtros]

I'd say no. If he does end up and Lotus, and if they give him the car, then you have to assume Romain Grosjean will be his team mate and I dont think he can beat him.

 

I think the same goes for the question in general. I dont think Maldonado is capable of beating any teammate he would likely be paired with should he ever end up in one of the best cars.

[Arn]

I think you would be surprised of how consistent a driver suddenly would appear, when driving alone, leading in a dominant car.

 

Given the right teammate and dominant car, most current F1 drivers could become WDC.

 

Even Mansell said, that a monkey could win in the 1992 Williams.