3792 replies to this topic

[Enkei]

Originally posted by F.M.
http://en.f1-live.co...102102501.shtml

Thanks
Nice quote at the bottom there from Piquet.

[pingu666]

i dont get why people think 4th is a disaster and acciedient waiting to happen :/. something might happen obivously, but 4th for lewis is suddenly equal to a trip to kabul alone.

[SeanValen]

Originally posted by pingu666
i dont get why people think 4th is a disaster and acciedient waiting to happen :/. something might happen obivously, but 4th for lewis is suddenly equal to a trip to kabul alone.

As long as his car is competitve in the race, it should be alright.

The problem I think people are having, is Lewis all year is and has been attacking qualifying, so this quali session has got to be one of his less great quali sessions, because he's a driver who works from pole, we haven't see Lewis really race he opposite way, in doing less well in quali and ensuring a race package that works, it just goes against what he and the car have been doing all year, why now suddenly a dip in quali performance, could be fuel load, could of been a mistake, but I don't think his quali session went well at all, if those characteristics mean less performance in quali, but better in the race, then he's ok, but..........

You never know, he may not be the better driver at this track, he hasn't won it yet, and he's had 2 races on it, so how do you measure him here, it's all uknown, Martin Blundell pointed out Lewis's car didn't look good in the infield section, now with the sun out if it remains, Hamilton would need tyre consistency, because if he normally along with the car eats it's tyres a bit more, then it's another issue, that maybe on this track could effect him more then another one say like Canada where he has been good at.

[Hippo]

Originally posted by SeanValen



he's a driver who works from pole, we haven't see Lewis really race he opposite way

Errm to be honest that sentence describes Massa better than anyone else. McLaren usually doesn't use desperate strategies to clinch a pole, because they know Lewis can win from second row too. Something Massa has never done.

[f1rules]

Originally posted by Hippo


Errm to be honest that sentence describes Massa better than anyone else. McLaren usually doesn't use desperate strategies to clinch a pole, because they know Lewis can win from second row too. Something Massa has never done.

exactly, hamilton has proven his capabilities

[mkay]

Didn't Lewis start 4th at Silverstone this year... and went on to win a WET race?

[SeanValen]

Originally posted by Hippo


Errm to be honest that sentence describes Massa better than anyone else. McLaren usually doesn't use desperate strategies to clinch a pole, because they know Lewis can win from second row too. Something Massa has never done.

I didn't mean to say Lewis can't win from 2nd row, what I'm saying is, the general trend for Mclaren and Lewis, has been attacking qualifying, they've gotten pole, and that in this day and age, where you can't pass cars on certain tracks, is the way to get your points lead, the best defence is a good offense sometimes.

Remember when Michael had to chase 1 point in Suzuka 2003, because of one lap qualifying nonsense rules and the lottery rain/dry situation, his plan was harder, since he started way back, it was out of his control, but the pressure o chase a target is there, especially when factors in qualifying and weather, and other things effect grid orders, usually in any case, starting at the front is safe, as soon as start targeting lower grid slots, you still have to race hard, a drivers spirit is geared to win, when you try to tame yourself for not going for wins, it's easy to trip over and lose sight over the fact your chasing points, it's not ideal, you rather go for glory, it's what you've been doing all season... a 5th place target can be the hardest race or the easiest race, but I think given the expectation, it's the hardest race perhaps of the year for LH, one little error, especially with last years demons on his mind, LH would go into hiding this winter, he must win it, he's psychologically worked for this moment all year, this stuff stays with you for the rest of your life.

[Enkei]

Now watching replays of the last lap. That Ferrari crew thinking they won the WDC only to be told they did not few seconds later. Priceless

We are champion after 9 years of drought!!

[f1rules]

Originally posted by Enkei
Now watching replays of the last lap. That Ferrari crew thinking they won the WDC only to be told they did not few seconds later. Priceless

We are champion after 9 years of drought!!

indeed, congrat to Mclaren Mercedes and all us fans

[skonks]

good part: congratulating to McLaren and Lewis
bad part: unfortunately for McLaren, the best car lost the WCC

[Lazy Prodigy]

Good job Lewis. MP4 23 was so fast and very reliable.
Better luck with constructors in 2009.

[bogi]

Finally, Lewis

[Hyatt]

Finally ...

[kar]

Congratulations you guys on the title.

As the long time fans among you will know, titles are difficult to win. and easily lost. You never know how long it is going to be until the next one either.

The team did fantastic, and Lewis made the most of the equipment at his disposal.

All in all a deserved and honourable championship victory.

Enjoy it

[RoryC]

Originally posted by Hyatt
Finally ...

+1!

[Orin]

Brilliant! With all the regulatory cards stacked against them McLaren still won, and Ron Dennis' quiet satisfaction spoke volumes. Bravo McLaren.

[karlth]

[ashnathan]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

and a big LOL at Ferrari counting their chickens!

FIIIIIIIIINALLLYYYYYYYYYYY!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

[Vegetableman]

Originally posted by kar
Congratulations you guys on the title.

As the long time fans among you will know, titles are difficult to win. and easily lost. You never know how long it is going to be until the next one either.

The team did fantastic, and Lewis made the most of the equipment at his disposal.

All in all a deserved and honourable championship victory.

Enjoy it

Cheers!
I've been watching F1 for 5 years so this is my first.
Can't even begin to explain how great it feels after watching two slip by at the last race.
Here's to a great team, very few mistakes all year and a very reliable, if not always the fastest car.
And well done to Lewis, he made hard work of it but it's only his second year and he essentially took on the might of Ferrari on his own. Thoroughly deserved.

Last but not least congrats to Ferrari, they have been very sporting this year and it's good to see Ferrari and McLaren getting along off track.
Massa did a great job this year, he threw away a few points but he has improved unmeasurably, and gracious in defeat. Better luck next year.

[Hippo]

Gratz to McLaren-Mercedes and Lewis. They cashed in what should have been theirs way earlier.

And they made it really interesting for us to watch. I enjoyed the show.

But Enkei, i'm mad at you. You promised you'd jinx DC and Mark to win 1-2 in Brazil. You clearly failed!;)

[Costaz]

Well done, congratulations to the team!


It's champagne time!

[Enkei]

Originally posted by Hippo
Gratz to McLaren-Mercedes and Lewis. They cashed in what should have been theirs way earlier.

And they made it really interesting for us to watch. I enjoyed the show.

But Enkei, i'm mad at you. You promised you'd jinx DC and Mark to win 1-2 in Brazil. You clearly failed!;)

I'm sorry, I really tried... I never wished for a race like this and I won't survive another one ;)

[lokiman]

Originally posted by Costaz
Well done, congratulations to the team!


It's champagne time!

What are you waiting for? I already cracked a bottle of bubbly!

[LostProphet]

Originally posted by kar
Congratulations you guys on the title.

As the long time fans among you will know, titles are difficult to win. and easily lost. You never know how long it is going to be until the next one either.

The team did fantastic, and Lewis made the most of the equipment at his disposal.

All in all a deserved and honourable championship victory.

Enjoy it

And all credit to Ferrari for pushing it so far down to the wire!! Not to mention this year's ... spirit of harmony that has existed since Domenicali took over.

Look forward to another thriller in 2009!;)

[pingu666]

grats to the team and all the guys here

[mclarensmps]

Unbelievably happy... just speechless

[peroa]

From my favourite singer to my favourite driver!

Lewis you are the best!!!!

[f1rules]

Originally posted by LostProphet


And all credit to Ferrari for pushing it so far down to the wire!! Not to mention this year's ... spirit of harmony that has existed since Domenicali took over.

Look forward to another thriller in 2009!;)

hear hear

[jesee]

Iam soo happy ghosh iam so happy. Mclaren the car of my hero Senna, of Mika and now lewis. Oh lewis i love you... i so love you!! Long live Ron, long live Mclaren and may lewis reign supreme

[vsubravet]

Originally posted by jesee
Iam soo happy ghosh iam so happy. Mclaren the car of my hero Senna, of Mika and now lewis. Oh lewis i love you... i so love you!! Long live Ron, long live Mclaren and may lewis reign supreme

+1. I've been so happy these past few hours that I've been walking dazed around my hotel. Waited & waited & waited for the past few years for the glory hour.

[pingu666]

ive felt oddly indifferent :. thats probably more todo with my emotional issues tho. felt dejected after last year..

[Wouter]

Originally posted by LostProphet
Look forward to another thriller in 2009!;)

No thriller in 2009, please.


Very sweet victory, especially after last year and after the private Mosley and Spanish wars against McLaren. Very disciplined and mature run by Hamilton (though strategy was way too conservative and nearly cost them everything).

When the MP4/23 was presented, the Mercedes chairman said he hoped this car would do one step better than MP4/22 - and it did!
Congratulations to Tim Goss and his team; they got much undeserved criticism early on, but the car eventually proved to be better than its predecessor: just as reliable, and much closer to Ferrari on what used to be weak tracks for McLaren. Pity though that Kovalainen didn't get many results, this should be improved next year.

Number 1 for Hamilton, next year!

[vsubravet]

I guess Tim Goss and his team deserve a lot of kudos - But I felt that whatever changes they made to the car for this race didn't pay off and Ferrari were way too fast. Or were McLaren way too conservative? But I do hope that the team wins the WCC also next year.

[vsubravet]

And, oh, to Mad Maxxxx....... : when he hands over the WDC trophy to LH & McLaren. RD will have a special satisfaction seeing MM squirm around.

[Anomander]

Bit sad about all the poor losers on show (hell even wishes for Lewis death), but he did, and hope now it wil be easier to get the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th WDC

[Atreiu]

Originally posted by The Big Guns
Unbelievably happy... just speechless

I'm speechless as well.
Talk about ghosts and demons hunting me these days. I've had enough of McLaren being almost there since 1999 and those last two laps probably took a decade of my life expectancy away. But now that's it's over, oh how good it feels.

[raiseyourfistfor]

TBH after Spain I thought that the Ferrari's would just run away with the championship's so I really want to congratulate the guys back in Woking because they really have improved the car throughout this season.

[shonguiz]

Congratulation to Lewis cause he's a fanstic driver, to Dennis who more than deserves it after so many years of unpaid hard work and of course to the team for having done such a great job at developping the car until the last race.

[AFCA]

Translated Q&A with Dennis:

Q: What's the first picture of Hamilton that comes to mind ?
Dennis: ''A prize-giving at the end of 1995, the prizes of Autosport magazine at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Lewis was still a young boy, he reached the height of my knees. At that time he was racing go karts.''

Q: You've had a lot of champions in your team: Lauda, Prost, Rosberg, Senna, Hakkinen. In what way is a talent different to a good driver ?
Dennis: ''Dedication, concentration, discipline, speed. But above all passion, intelligence and total application. You can learn or teach some of those things, other things are natural-born.''

Q: Is Hamilton exactly like that ?
Dennis: ''Yes. But don't forget about McLaren, after the (spy storr) storm the team was determined to get back to the top, and it has succeeded.''

Q: Lewis is a driver of great skills, his merits are not in discussion. But he's not really well-liked by his colleagues. Jealousy ?
Dennis: ''Yes, I think it's really like that. And I think that people are indiscreetly too critical on him. Last year he fell just short of winning the title even if Ferrari was better than McLaren. We've made a whole lot of mistakes. And then it was also difficult maintaining concentration considering the other affair (spy story - AFCA). I'm proud on how the team coped with the pressure, Hamilton included.''

Q: 2007 was a terrible year for you. In which way has the spy story influenced your personal life ?
Dennis: ''It has put upon a terrible stress on everyone. I don't want to get into my private life, but you know I've separated from my wife.''

Q: And now you're a single ?
Dennis: ''Well, we're divorced. And I've gone out with some ladies this year, with the permission of my children. And this assent has been very important for me.''

Q: How many children do you have ?
Dennis: ''Three. A girl of 21 years old, she studies medicine in Oxford. A boy of 17 years old who'll go to Cambridge to do engineering and then there's the youngest one of 14 who I think will enter the world of fashion. We're a very close family now. And I've come out stronger of this because in these cases you always do some self-criticism and you also get to find out who your real friends are.''

Q: Irrespective of the spy story and looking at the statistics from recent years you get the idea that the FIA is constantly lined up against your team. Why ?
Dennis: ''I don't want to enter a grey area. I can say that McLaren is a great company with very valuable persons and a great level of integrity. The company has very good shareholders: Daimler, Bahrain's Mumtalakat Holding and Mansour Ojjeh with the Tag organisation. At the end we've come out of every single incident with even more energy.''

Q: Do you think you have a lot of enemies ?
Dennis: ''In Formula 1 I have a dozen friends and obviously also enemies. It's an environment in which a lot of people are grudgeful when you have success.''

Q: Dennis and Di Montezemolo rivals both on track as well as in the courtroom: is there anything you have in common ?
Dennis: ''I like his passion. But in England I don't have the political influence he has in Italy and on the continent. I'm not saying this is positive or negative: I respect him for what he has achieved. Competitiveness and reservedness is what we have in common. Luca is a polite and amiable man, he always makes me laugh. I like his style.''

Q: Have you ever tried to hire Schumacher ?
Dennis: ''Certainly. He was at Ferrari, I don't remember which year it was. I wouldn't have regretted spending money on him and I really think the relationship would have been great. Nothing more was done about it because of peripheral matters, because of many small things here and there which were beyond McLaren's character.''

Q: How do you see your future ?
Dennis: ''As always busy, with McLaren and the family. I would be happy to see the future of the company brighter still, without completely being involved myself. I would wish to move back step by step, devolving more and more responsability to Martin Whitmarsh. I wouldn't want Formula 1 to completely take over my life, I'm still young...''

Q: Do you know how to use a computer ?
Dennis: ''Not at all. And that's why I neither write, nor receive e-mails. But I do send text messages.''

Q: Who did you send the last one to ?
Dennis: ''To a friend.''

[Enkei]

He can't write e-mail?

[ATM_Andy]

Welcome home Lewis Hamilton, Formula One Drivers World Champion.

McLaren Video

[Orin]

Originally posted by ATM_Andy
Welcome home Lewis Hamilton, Formula One Drivers World Champion.

McLaren Video

Thanks for posting.

[paffett4F1]

Thanks for posting, what a way to turn up for work in the morning!!

BTW, Lewis will be in Brixworth tomorrow to thank everyone at Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines.

They have even given everyone at the factory Friday morning off - so it sounds like it'll be one hell of a party.