266 replies to this topic

[Anderis]

I think we need to specify what we understand as a "consistency". Regarding pace, I would say Maldonado IS quite consistent. Following him closely for 3 years, I can't recall any situation other than Austin 2013 where he was simply off the pace.

 

Regarding mistakes, yes, he is mistake-prone and even if his 2013 was better than 2012 in this area, he still made some of them. But I can't imagine he will be consistently in trouble of having some clean races in row, like in early-mid 2012, with more experience.

 

Hopefully 2014 Lotus is not another dog car for Maldonado, because I really want to see Grosjean as a benchmark for him in a decent car.

[Rinehart]

If we want to find a good comparison to Maldonado from relatively recent F1 drivers, I'd say Sato is a much better fit than Montoya.

 

Sato was also brilliant on his day. Many fans still remember that special moment in Canada 2007. However, would Sato have challenged for the WDC in Williams 2003 kind of situation? Hardly.

 

I think Maldonado is quicker than Sato, more feisty (good and bad) and better under pressure. I'd say Maldonado is closer to somewhere between Ralf Schumacher and Massa. I think he could win multiple races in a top car but inconsistent and I expect he'd always find a better teammate alongside him in that situation. I don't see a WDC in him tbh.

[Rinehart]

Far from rocket science; all that's needed is to understand that this is not a thread whether Maldonado is championship material, and neither is it a thread about whether there might be drivers better than Maldonado. It's about Lotus hiring Maldonado, not really difficult at all..

Where I perceive Maldonado fits relative to the grid informs my estimation of how he will get on at Lotus alongside Romain.

I suspect your reading my post the way you want in order to find some more beef. I've moved on, all good.

Others liked my post, I can't please everyone and I'm not trying to. 

[sopa]

I think Maldonado is quicker than Sato, more feisty (good and bad) and better under pressure. I'd say Maldonado is closer to somewhere between Ralf Schumacher and Massa. I think he could win multiple races in a top car but inconsistent and I expect he'd always find a better teammate alongside him in that situation. I don't see a WDC in him tbh.

 

Maybe Maldonado is quicker than Sato though I remember Sato outqualifying Button quite a few times, while Maldonado was outQ-d by Bottas. So I don't find it clearcut and it is a difficult call to compare drivers from what can be already called different eras/generations.

 

Multiple race wins in a top car? Depends, how good this "top car" is. Webber couldn't win even in RB9. Maldonado is considered fast, but I don't think he is so fast he can outrace top driver team-mates on a semiregular basis (even disregarding inconsistency). He reminds me more of an inconsistent No2 driver. Let's look at Webber in 2013. There were a few races, where he competed against Vettel, like Malaysia. Most of the time he was lagging behind, sometimes by big margin. I expect no better from Maldonado, plus you can add he may make more bonehead moves.

 

I suspect Maldonado's highly-rated "speed" will be found out against top drivers. Not that he is slow, but he isn't quite at that level on a regular basis.

[Kingshark]

Montoya in 2003 found a acceptable level of consistency if you check the results. He was very close to becoming a WDC in 2003, closer than some think. To put it into perspective, if his car would have not failed him at Japan, he would have been equal in points with Schumi, and only lost on count back of race wins. Pastor has not shown any concrete evidence he can produce this sort of quality as of yet.

 

Maldonado has never driven a car as good as the Williams FW25. That car was on par with the Ferrari F2003GA in pure speed, if not quicker.

 

Then again, in 2003 Montoya had a streak of 8 consecutive podium finishes from Monaco to Monza, that's some tremendous consistency right there. I for one, cannot see Pastor doing the same.

Edited by Kingshark, 10 December 2013 - 13:06.

[Rinehart]

Maybe Maldonado is quicker than Sato though I remember Sato outqualifying Button quite a few times, while Maldonado was outQ-d by Bottas. 

 

Multiple race wins in a top car? 

Yes no disrespect to Sato, sorry I naturally always think more in terms of race pace when I talk about quick...

 

Multiple race wins in a top car like at least 3 in a career of several seasons with a top team (the sort of thing that the likes of Ralf was able to do). 

[sennafan24]

Maldonado has never driven a car as good as the Williams FW25. That car was on par with the Ferrari F2003GA in pure speed, if not quicker.

 

Then again, in 2003 Montoya had a streak of 8 consecutive podium finishes from Monaco to Monza, that's some tremendous consistency right there. I for one, cannot see Pastor doing the same.

You have pretty much nailed my point, its impossible to compare Pastor and JPM as they raced in different circumstances, we can not tell as of now whether Pastor would obtain 8 podiums in a row like JPM did, by any standard JPM's 2003 was sublime.

 

Pastor is a less proven talent, more questionable if you like.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Maybe Maldonado is quicker than Sato though I remember Sato outqualifying Button quite a few times, while Maldonado was outQ-d by Bottas. So I don't find it clearcut and it is a difficult call to compare drivers from what can be already called different eras/generations.

And Button was a qualifying master you mean? Yes in his BAR days he was a better qualifier than he has been at McLaren, but even back then certainly not one of the best.

[InSearchOfThe]

http://en.espnf1.com...ory/139867.html

 

Nobody's talking about Ro Gro's recent interview where he claims to be one of the best drivers in F1?

Nothing wrong with confidence, but let's keep it real brother. Time is the test for us all, and you're one pileup away from being a footnote. Keep your head down, beat Pastor,and stay outta the path of on coming traffic.And most of all let the music do the talkin'.

[Gfhuus]

Maldonado & Grosjean were visiting Enstone today. 

 

 

People look frikkin thrilled 

[x600]

Nobody's talking about Ro Gro's recent interview where he claims to be one of the best drivers in F1?

 

He is THE best driver right now.

[Zava]

Maldonado & Grosjean were visiting Enstone today. 

 

 

People look frikkin thrilled 

how thoughtful of lotus to put emphasis on the FIRE EXIT sign, with Maldonado in the building.

[emmanuelrubi]

BEST

 

PARTY

 

EVER.

 

[motorhead]

Maldonado & Grosjean were visiting Enstone today. 

 

 

People look frikkin thrilled 

 

Yeah, hold your horses Boullier

[NexusIcon]

I know a picture can't really tell the story here but that is amusing. It's like Pastor is the only one who gets Romain's joke.

[scheivlak]

Maldonado & Grosjean were visiting Enstone today. 

 

 

 

Romain: "Of course I'm only here because of Pastor's money and I will show that it's well spent"

[santababy]

I know a picture can't really tell the story here but that is amusing. It's like Pastor is the only one who gets Romain's joke.

No wonder Romain is pleased to have Pastor as teammate rather than Kimi (never smile at his jokes).


Romain : Now I am the new no.1 driver!
Pastor(smiling & thinking) : Not bad for a no.2 driver, I pay for your pit crew.