Yep, I thought that; if Massa turns up all season he's more of an 8 than a 6. As for Hulkenberg, can but hope Sauber give him something to work with.It's close isn't it? Good year coming up I think.
I reckon Ferrari are better than the poll is suggesting, but where would they be with Hulk in the other car? Thank goodness for Monty
McLaren are toast by the look of this. Only 3 top drivers and they don't have any of them. Perez - a normal, decent young driver - is proof positive that they totally lost track of what they had in Hamilton. Shoulda gone for Hulk too.
Kimi will be even better, I'm expecting; I have my doubts about Grosjean though.
Sebi should be even better, Webbo is getting on a bit now.
Lewis with his new engineers will be tremendous, and I think Nico will raise his game in response. I just gave them my vote.
The Best 2013 Driver's Line Up
#51
Posted 30 December 2012 - 10:21
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#52
Posted 30 December 2012 - 10:26
#53
Posted 30 December 2012 - 10:35
The performance of Massa
The '' of Perez
The '' of Button
The '' of Webber
The '' of Rosberg
The '' of Grosjean
I regard drivers like Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso as less important in the if department as they are in general more consistent drivers. Raikkonen is somewhat in between, we will see.
Edited by H2H, 30 December 2012 - 10:36.
#54
Posted 30 December 2012 - 11:38
In 2012 RBR was only 60 points ahead of Ferrari, with better car and with Massa almost invisible in 1st half of the season, in 2nd half Massa scored 97 points vs 55 of Webber. If Massa will drive like in second half Ferrari can have the best line up, but Merc and Lotus look very strong too.
That doesn't reflect fairly on those involved; not on Webber, not on Massa, not on Red Bull and not on Ferrari.
Webber ran into so many problems in the second half it doesn't tell you anything about him vs Massa, or Red Bull vs Ferrari.
#55
Posted 30 December 2012 - 14:32
Voted Mercedes, main reason being that both have beaten WDC team mates in multiple seasons.
#56
Posted 30 December 2012 - 15:30
I don't understand neither that many votes for Lotus, I may be a fan of both drivers but I'd be sniffing some glue if I'd swap Merc's lineup for theirs. Romain is quick but until he turns that into points I'll take many drivers ahead of him and that's including Rosberg by a big margin. Also think Hamilton's quicker than Kimi. Hell I think I'd even prefer McLaren's lineup over Lotus although that one's close, and that would be more on the Perez/Grosjean side because I do still rate Kimi higher than Button.
Ferrari is lacking votes due to Massa's lack of performance earlier this season, because have him driving like he did the last few races and they're just about a better pairing than RBR. Big question mark there on Massa though so I agree I'd go safer and pick Seb/Mark over that duo.
#57
Posted 30 December 2012 - 15:49
if massa keeps his performance up I'd have to give it to Ferrari though, if not, redbull have the better pairing
Mclarens pairing is a risk
and I just don't see how a great driver like hamilton, is great enough, to pull him and rosberg into top spot
I have no idea why rosberg is so highly rated, beating an underperforming ex great doesnt carry much kudos for me
#58
Posted 30 December 2012 - 17:11
Vettel will tell you himself that Hamilton is the faster driver, car reliability is not a reason to favour one driver over another, car performance is though because you have the teammates to compare and general performance in any car and against any teammate which easily point to Hamilton being by far the better driver.
No he wouldn't and given your comparison, general performance wise Jenson outscored Lewis while Vettel wiped the floor with Webber, which easily points out the fantasy of your assumptions.
#59
Posted 30 December 2012 - 17:44
Mercedes = ferrari > redbull > mclaren=lotus
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#60
Posted 30 December 2012 - 18:05
Maybe I am missing the irony here, but Button was closer to Hamilton than Webber to Vettel over the past years.Vettel will tell you himself that Hamilton is the faster driver, car reliability is not a reason to favour one driver over another, car performance is though because you have the teammates to compare and general performance in any car and against any teammate which easily point to Hamilton being by far the better driver.
#61
Posted 30 December 2012 - 19:02
He has beaten no other than Schumacher himself over a course of 3 years, with consistent point finishes including several podiums and Mercedes' first win.
He was 7th (best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari duos) in 2010, with nearly identical points with Massa (who had a way better car) and Kubica (regarded as the second coming of Jesus Christ per forum consensus).
2011 he was also best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari, just like in 2012 (with Lotus added)
I'm not arguing he's in the Alonso/Vettel/Hamilton league, but judging by the last few season I'd pick him over Grosjean/Massa/Webber/Perez/Koba/Hulk, or hell even over Button.
#62
Posted 30 December 2012 - 19:29
Alonso is not my favorite driver.That's just how I see it. I'm sorry if the way I see things diminishes your favourite drivers accomplishments, in this case Alonsos. I didn't mean to insult any driver or any fan but I was only expressing an opinion, right or wrong.
I'm just asking what you're basing your opinion on. Which is pretty much nothing, really. There's no evidence to suggest that Massa was in anyway diminished in terms of setup preference because Alonso was there. Its not like Massa isn't one to be quick to point fingers elsewhere if he can. I mean, Massa got better and better throughout the year. It certainly doesn't seem at all like he was suffering due to car development or anything like that. Just saying "Oh its my opinion" doesn't really mean much if you cant back it up with anything.
#63
Posted 30 December 2012 - 19:59
Whilst I do rate Rosberg, the MS thing can't count for too much as MS in his 40s is a very different proposition to MS in his 20s.I'm not sure why people don't rate Rosberg.
He has beaten no other than Schumacher himself over a course of 3 years, with consistent point finishes including several podiums and Mercedes' first win.
He was 7th (best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari duos) in 2010, with nearly identical points with Massa (who had a way better car) and Kubica (regarded as the second coming of Jesus Christ per forum consensus).
2011 he was also best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari, just like in 2012 (with Lotus added)
I'm not arguing he's in the Alonso/Vettel/Hamilton league, but judging by the last few season I'd pick him over Grosjean/Massa/Webber/Perez/Koba/Hulk, or hell even over Button.
Rosberg vs LH will be fascinating, a totally fresh different benchmark that may produce some surprises.
Edited by Group B, 30 December 2012 - 19:59.
#64
Posted 30 December 2012 - 20:08
#65
Posted 30 December 2012 - 21:16
The overlooked truth has been spoken.I'm not sure why people don't rate Rosberg.
He has beaten no other than Schumacher himself over a course of 3 years, with consistent point finishes including several podiums and Mercedes' first win.
He was 7th (best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari duos) in 2010, with nearly identical points with Massa (who had a way better car) and Kubica (regarded as the second coming of Jesus Christ per forum consensus).
2011 he was also best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari, just like in 2012 (with Lotus added)
I'm not arguing he's in the Alonso/Vettel/Hamilton league, but judging by the last few season I'd pick him over Grosjean/Massa/Webber/Perez/Koba/Hulk, or hell even over Button.
In 2010, Renault had a car at least as good as Mercedes, if not better, and Rosberg beat Kubica fair and square over a seasons notice.
Yet Kubica, as previously stated, is praised as if he's the greatest thing since Christ, while Rosberg is supposedly average.
I also agree with the second bolded (final) sentence.
Edited by Kingshark, 30 December 2012 - 21:17.
#66
Posted 30 December 2012 - 21:21
Just out of curiosity, what do you define to be a WDC "contender"?An interesting question. Obviously the top teams have three kind of drivers: champions, championship contenders, and (to date) useless drivers. (A driver, who has not yet managed to challenge for the WDC is almosst irrelevant when estimating the driver lineup.)
A WDC means more than any number of times as contender (only winners are remembered) and only the better driver counts (see previous). Let us sort the teams using this criterion.
1. Red Bull
3×WDC, 1×contender
1×contender
2. Ferrari
2×WDC, 3×contender
1×contender
3. Lotus
1×WDC, 3×contender
4. Mercedes
1×WDC, 2×contender
5. McLaren
1×WDC (notice: runner-up does not equal being a contender)
Wasn't Button a contender in 2010, in your book?
Likewise, can you really consider Hamilton a championship contender in 2012, especially taking into account how far off he finished from Vettel at the end? Frankly, was Raikkonen a contender in 2012 or even 2008? Was Webber a contender in 2012, or hell, even 2009?
#67
Posted 31 December 2012 - 13:22
1. Mercedes
2. Red Bull
3. Ferrari
4. Lotus
If Massa continues his recent form and Grosjean stops crashing then it's even closer. As for why are people rating Rosberg so high? I don't think they are. They are rating him as equal or slightly better than Massa and Webber who have both been comprehensively beaten by their teammates and shown they can't get particularly close to their cars potential over the course of a season.
#68
Posted 31 December 2012 - 18:01
#69
Posted 31 December 2012 - 18:59
But Michael isn't the best, at least not anymore.N. Rosberg beat the best driver of all time three seasons in a row so he must even bester. That alone should put Mercedes on top, easily.
#70
Posted 31 December 2012 - 19:50
If you can't see how much better Lewis Hamilton is than Jenson Button then that world that is your choice in your general vocabulary might be more suited to your judgement.No he wouldn't and given your comparison, general performance wise Jenson outscored Lewis while Vettel wiped the floor with Webber, which easily points out the fantasy of your assumptions.
#71
Posted 31 December 2012 - 19:52
Its because people are agreeing that the combination of Rosberg and Hamilton is the strongest driver pairing. Get it now?no idea how mercedes is coming out above redbull and ferrari
if massa keeps his performance up I'd have to give it to Ferrari though, if not, redbull have the better pairing
Mclarens pairing is a risk
and I just don't see how a great driver like hamilton, is great enough, to pull him and rosberg into top spot
I have no idea why rosberg is so highly rated, beating an underperforming ex great doesnt carry much kudos for me
#72
Posted 31 December 2012 - 20:08
But Michael isn't the best, at least not anymore.
They were in equal cars, and if you think any of the other top drivers would have done any better, you are seriously mistaken. Delta time driving because of the sxxty pirellis did not make it possible for a driver to really show his added value, especially with the suspension of Merc being unable to cope with the small operating window of the tyres. Plus, it wasn't any much better the previous two seasons. The only benchmark NR had was his teammate, and he has done well the the first season, and MS would have been ahead if not for his ridiculous bad luck with his car in the third. I am not all that sure MS was as weak as you try to imply. That is all theory though, that is why next season will be fascinating. We could get a picture of how good - or average - NR is, You have absolutely no clue as to benchmark either of the Merc drivers gainst anyone, because of the dogs Merc produced so far. Not saying MS is still the best, mind you. But he could have been easily a threat to anyone bar the car. Or not. Just saying that trying to devalue NR by devaluing MS will not work at the moment.
Happy New Year everyone, By BTW, I am off to get waisted
#73
Posted 31 December 2012 - 20:18
I'm not sure why people don't rate Rosberg.
He has beaten no other than Schumacher himself over a course of 3 years, with consistent point finishes including several podiums and Mercedes' first win.
He was 7th (best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari duos) in 2010, with nearly identical points with Massa (who had a way better car) and Kubica (regarded as the second coming of Jesus Christ per forum consensus).
2011 he was also best of the rest after RBR, Mc and Ferrari, just like in 2012 (with Lotus added)
I'm not arguing he's in the Alonso/Vettel/Hamilton league, but judging by the last few season I'd pick him over Grosjean/Massa/Webber/Perez/Koba/Hulk, or hell even over Button.
I do think that Rosberg is an underrated driver. His performances in 2010 were impressive, I thought both him and Kubica were the most impressive drivers of that year.
#74
Posted 01 January 2013 - 05:11
#75
Posted 01 January 2013 - 06:24
I highy appreciate your imput, but... you did read the thread OP thoroughly, right?
Sure, but it is always the car + driver. The strongest driver's line up = the strongest "driver/car" line ups for each team = strongest potential WCC winning team.
Vettel will tell you himself that Hamilton is the faster driver, car reliability is not a reason to favour one driver over another, car performance is though because you have the teammates to compare and general performance in any car and against any teammate which easily point to Hamilton being by far the better driver.
Vettel would not say Hamilton was faster. Where did you come up with that? First, he doesn't answer questions of that type. Second, I reckon he figures he is faster - based on results to date.
Edited by bourbon, 01 January 2013 - 06:34.
#76
Posted 01 January 2013 - 13:02
Well, I have another view on this.Not a chance i'd take Rosberg over Button, Hulk, or Webber. He's just too inconsistent.
For me Rosberg seems to be more consistent than Webber or Button. I remember in 2009 or 2010 you could always predict where he was going to finish as long as he wasn't screwed by strategy or pit stop (which was happening particularly often in his last season at Williams). The question mark is that if his normal level is high enough. This is what will be verified by Lewis. If Nico is close to him on raw pace, it suggests he is much more complete package than Button or Webber.
#77
Posted 01 January 2013 - 13:36
#78
Posted 01 January 2013 - 13:48
My main concern is that his race pace isn't as strong as the remaining WDCs, based on old-man Schumacher (we're the same age) often looking like the faster driver to me on Sundays. It could just be a product of the Mercedes, but Lewis has a relentlessly quick race pace that I think Nico will find difficult to duplicate.
That said, if I was a team principal he'd be my first pick after the former WDCs (so really my 6th pick), and ahead of Webber, Hulk, Massa and Perez.
#79
Posted 02 January 2013 - 02:57
Edited by SNiko, 02 January 2013 - 03:34.
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#80
Posted 02 January 2013 - 07:18
Vettel is the best right now, and hard to complain about Webber as his partner when you look at what they achived.
Ferrari couple as #2, if Massa:s form continues they could break the Red Bull title streak
After that a draw between Lotus and Mercedes
#81
Posted 02 January 2013 - 07:55
- Perez is an unknown in a top car (he was rubbish once he signed on with McLaren)
- Ferrari changes based on the form of Massa (if he produces what he did at Brazil, I'd rate Ferrari as good as Mercedes and almost RB)
- Fans here forget that Webber beat Rosberg at Williams and was the fastest of the two albeit Rosberg being in his rookie year - Rosberg himself saying his toughest team-mate he has had was Webber
#82
Posted 02 January 2013 - 08:45
#83
Posted 02 January 2013 - 08:57
We don't forget. We just assume Rosberg is now more competitive driver than he was in 2006, what really makes sense, because you don't expect 20 years old rookie to peak in his first F1 season, do you?- Fans here forget that Webber beat Rosberg at Williams and was the fastest of the two albeit Rosberg being in his rookie year - Rosberg himself saying his toughest team-mate he has had was Webber
#84
Posted 02 January 2013 - 09:17
We don't forget. We just assume Rosberg is now more competitive driver than he was in 2006, what really makes sense, because you don't expect 20 years old rookie to peak in his first F1 season, do you?
Hamilton did, lol!
#85
Posted 02 January 2013 - 09:38
I think Hamilton is a much better driver now than he was in 2007. He did very well in his first season but the conditions were right, but as far as maturity and ability go, he's evolved into a much better driver as you'd expect.Hamilton did, lol!
#86
Posted 02 January 2013 - 09:49
Rosberg's rookie season on the other hand, wasn't nearly as impressive, he was involved in a lot of collisions, although he did have some brilliant times to shine such as in Bahrain. Nonetheless, all in all Nico had much more room for improvement than Lewis did. Although that the car Lewis drove in his rookie season was arguably the best on the grid, while Nico drove a sub-par Williams cannot be ignored.
#87
Posted 02 January 2013 - 10:10
I think its just easier to tell with Rosberg because he's driven for lesser teams. He started in positions where he was more likely to have collisions and in a car that handled very differently to a top car on the grid. I think the mistake people make is comparing Lewis by looking at his results rather than what he is doing on the track. His rookie season was great because the conditions were right. He tied a double WDC and finished ahead of him in the final standings which seems to have set the benchmark for some. I think people need to be realistic and look a little deeper into performance rather than looking at the final balance sheet. We know from 2012 how results can show a different picture to what was happening on track, they never tell the full story. Jenson had a disappointing season yet was close in terms of points to his team mate, whereas Lewis had arguably the best season of his F1 career in terms of personal performance. I think this year showed a very mature Lewis Hamilton and a driver who battled to the very end.IMO Rosberg has improved a lot more from his rookie season than Hamilton. I'm not saying Lewis isn't a great driver or anything; but the thing is that Lewis, even in his rookie season in F1 was able to go toe to toe, and tie in points with a double world champion; and of course, if you're that good in your first season already, then sometimes it's hard to improve a lot from such a strong base.
Rosberg's rookie season on the other hand, wasn't nearly as impressive, he was involved in a lot of collisions, although he did have some brilliant times to shine such as in Bahrain. Nonetheless, all in all Nico had much more room for improvement than Lewis did. Although that the car Lewis drove in his rookie season was arguably the best on the grid, while Nico drove a sub-par Williams cannot be ignored.
#88
Posted 02 January 2013 - 10:22
#89
Posted 02 January 2013 - 10:30
RB edges it for the vote but I think it's tough to have to call between them and Mercedes.
#90
Posted 02 January 2013 - 10:32
Unless Rosberg completely folds against Hamilton, it's clearly Mercedes. Interesting to see in the polls however how people think of him in comparison to Button last year (obviously right after his strong 2011 season though). Webber has been far from impressive in recent years and I'm surprised by the amount of votes Red Bull received. Depending on Massa's odd form issues I'd probably even put Ferrari in front of them. Lotus and McLaren both have one solid driver and one unknown variable so they're not really near the rest at the moment. Don't see the point of the rest in the poll.
Surprised by Red Bulls votes? They've dominated for 3 years now, both as a team and individually by Vettel while McLaren and Mercedes have struggled and IMO I'm much more surprised how Mercedes can hav so much votes?
#91
Posted 02 January 2013 - 10:48
You answered your own question by omitting Webber. The question here is who has the best driver lineup, not which team has the biggest star. In 2012 while Vettel got the WDC, Webber was sixth and couldn't even join him at the top of the table in 2011 in what was a dominating year for the team*.Surprised by Red Bulls votes? They've dominated for 3 years now, both as a team and individually by Vettel while McLaren and Mercedes have struggled and IMO I'm much more surprised how Mercedes can hav so much votes?
Someone has already pointed out Rosbergs qualifications for being highly rated and I think the hope and expectation is that he will give hamilton a very close fight this year, regardless of where the car is in relative performance to the eventual championship winner.
*I don't think Webber is a bad driver, I just think he's very much in the shadow of Vettel.
#92
Posted 02 January 2013 - 15:32
RBR is a close second. Vettel and Webber work really well together. Plus having Newey doesn't hurt.
Ferrari would be third for me. Alonso was sublime in 2012 but Massa really dropped the ball early in the season only coming on late, I still don't feel he's the same driver as he was prior to the accident.
Lotus fourth. Kimi was amazing in his comeback and proved me wrong by beating Romain, Grosjean was over-optimistic to say the least but he has speed.
McLaren might have their worst driver lineup ever, but that remains to be seen, if Checo proves to be fast and consistent and the MP4-28 a contender then it would be all change for my opinion.
#93
Posted 02 January 2013 - 17:39
#94
Posted 02 January 2013 - 21:25
Lewis = top level with Alonso, Vettel
Rosberg = I rate him above Webber, Massa currently.
Edited by Alx09, 02 January 2013 - 21:25.
#95
Posted 02 January 2013 - 23:33
We don't forget. We just assume Rosberg is now more competitive driver than he was in 2006, what really makes sense, because you don't expect 20 years old rookie to peak in his first F1 season, do you?
Assume he is more competitive, most likely. Quicker? Up for debate - perhaps in this era where it doesn't suit Webber's driving style (exhaust blown diffuser, no fuel pitstops, Pirellis) but you cannot compare as skills and experience changes for the better or the worse.
I do not expect Rosberg to peak in his first F1 season, but he has been in F1 6 years now and drivers do not always tend to continue to peak on an exponential curve throughout their career in F1. IMO Rosberg was more impressive in his F1 debut in Bahrain than a lot of his drives I've seen. Webber's biggest flaw is consistency over a season, which is where the consistency of other drivers like Button/Rosberg/Heidfield would beat him over a season even though Webber has IMO the better pace. With Vettel you have a combination of the consistency and the blistering pace.
Currently on pure form, it would probably Massa > Rosberg > Webber. Start of the season I would have said Rosberg > Webber > Massa. Mid season it would have been Webber > Rosberg > Massa. Overall though I'd still take Webber over Rosberg and Massa. It might even change this season depending how he goes up against Hamilton. May even move Rosberg ahead of Webber overall.
#96
Posted 03 January 2013 - 03:15
That was before I realised Mercedes had Hamilton and Rosberg.
I chose Lotus because I think both of their drivers can only get better.
Raikkonen will be up to scratch after his time out, Grosjean will have more experience. Both will have fitted into the team, the team will know what they want and what direction they can go in. They both showed that they have the speed and the ability to do a great a job, and I'm sure Grosjean will cut out his mistakes and be more consistent.
Mercedes seem to have a good line up, but Hamilton can be inconsistent at times, and Rosberg goes anonymous at times, apart from in 2010.
Red Bull: Vettel's quick and consistent, but Webber in comparison is nowhere in every season apart from 2010.
Ferrari: Alonso's bound to get results, the question is, will Massa perform? He tends to struggle in the early parts of the season, and by that time, if Alonso isn't already the undisputed number 1, he will be by the time Massa picks up again. As a fan of Massa's I'm not sure I would get my hopes up after his second half of the season performances, 2013 is a new ball game.
McLaren: The weakest line-up out of the 5 teams in my opinion, Button is inconsistent and needs the car to be his liking, although I doubt that will be much of a problem next season as the team should really focus around him. Perez, I've never found to be that great as he is made out to be, and is really inconsistent.
The other teams have rookies apart from Toro Rosso and are hard to rate.
#97
Posted 03 January 2013 - 14:11
McLaren is a ?. Probably a fast car with a promise and a consistent, but not fast, driver.