Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari
Discussion
MitchT said:
TikTak said:
Is it? These seem like polar opposites to me.
Ferrari ban you for even talking about coilovers near one of their cars let alone slamming it then slapping 23 inch spinners and neon on it.
That's one way of looking at it.Ferrari ban you for even talking about coilovers near one of their cars let alone slamming it then slapping 23 inch spinners and neon on it.
My way of looking at it...
Ferrari are trying to be more "down with the kids", embracing the SUV market, making less of their racing heritage inspired mid engined cars and elegant continent eating GTs and instead pandering more to the "rich young people" market. Far from banning folk for modifying their cars, they'll be selling the mods themselves in the form of £100k bling packs designed by celebrities which multimillionaire social media personalities can add to their cars. Hamilton is a perfect fit for this.
Merc are making more mid engined cars now than ever with the 296 and SF90 getting pushed hard - hell they already sell mods with the 'Asseto Fiorano' packs for both. Pay enough and you can have your own bespoke car.
Rich young people buy the mid engined, the older mid life crisis people tend to buy more the front engined stuff because they're easier to get in and out of lol.
DanielSan said:
Steamer said:
The bigger question: Who gets the 2nd seat at Merc now?
- Probably not Norris - hes just extended.
- Probably not Carlos
... Please let it be Alonso!!!
If he has another outstanding season in the Williams I think it'll be Albon. - Probably not Norris - hes just extended.
- Probably not Carlos
... Please let it be Alonso!!!
Merc will suffer. Russell is not in the same league as Hamilton, not against some of those he'll be driving against.
the-norseman said:
I hated Alonso before he joined the Scuderia , mainly because he beat Michael in 2005/2006 but warmed to him once he signed.
Alonso is one of the reasons I didn't care for Hamilton. Parachuted into a team as 2nd driver, and immediately given equal billing, in his rookie year. That's all kinds of wrong for many reasons, yeah he did demonstrate his capability but c'mon now. Then the one season he has an uncompetitive car he drives around like a dick (pretty much like how he accused Verstappen of driving a few years back). I'm sure someone had to get a hold of him in the paddock, and tell him to stop being a tosser on the track. Then he jumps ship to Mercedes, after fulfilling his "lifetime dream" to drive a McLaren 
Ultimately, these were the correct decisions, he does deserve acknowledgement and credit for that. It is, however, all a bit like the star player in your football team declaring his undying love, then going to sign for your biggest rivals.
Killer2005 said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Wonder how the Tifosi will take it? Was sat amongst them when he won in Monza in 2018 (I think), they were not impressed.
Think they'd love him regardless if he wins but I can imagine him getting a shed load of abuse if he's not performing.
Nah, he'll be a Ferrari driver so will love him forever. Think they'd love him regardless if he wins but I can imagine him getting a shed load of abuse if he's not performing.
Pistom said:
It would be the best thing that's happened to the sport for a long time.
Let's hope it's true.
What?Let's hope it's true.
A driver on a downward trajectory, late in his career, signing for a team who appear to be largely incompetent.
And this is "the best thing that's happened to the sport for a long time"?
If this is true looks like it's caught Mercedes blindsided or there would surely have been overtures towards Norris, hell had Norris held off he would've undoubtedly got an even better offer from McLaren.
At the moment probably the most likely replacement is Sainz or Albon, depends how tight Albon's contract is and if Toto wants to upset his old buddy Vowles or make an offer large enough that Vowles could use it towards team investment (though think they're at the limit already?).
At the moment probably the most likely replacement is Sainz or Albon, depends how tight Albon's contract is and if Toto wants to upset his old buddy Vowles or make an offer large enough that Vowles could use it towards team investment (though think they're at the limit already?).
honda_exige said:
If this is true looks like it's caught Mercedes blindsided or there would surely have been overtures towards Norris, hell had Norris held off he would've undoubtedly got an even better offer from McLaren.
At the moment probably the most likely replacement is Sainz or Albon, depends how tight Albon's contract is and if Toto wants to upset his old buddy Vowles or make an offer large enough that Vowles could use it towards team investment (though think they're at the limit already?).
Vowles is lined up to replace Toto, he's the handy person Mercedes can speak to about Albon and whether he's the suitable replacement At the moment probably the most likely replacement is Sainz or Albon, depends how tight Albon's contract is and if Toto wants to upset his old buddy Vowles or make an offer large enough that Vowles could use it towards team investment (though think they're at the limit already?).
C70R said:
What?
A driver on a downward trajectory, late in his career, signing for a team who appear to be largely incompetent.
And this is "the best thing that's happened to the sport for a long time"?
Not sure there's any evidence he's on a downward trajectory from his own performance point of view.A driver on a downward trajectory, late in his career, signing for a team who appear to be largely incompetent.
And this is "the best thing that's happened to the sport for a long time"?
Sure, he's sulked the past 2 seasons but then he often has done when driving around in a bad car. Give him a good one and I'm sure he'll still be to class.
Whether his lack of motivation to wring the neck of a bad car impacts his 'greatness' is of course open to debate.
For me the move to Ferrari is a bold and great decision.
honda_exige said:
If this is true looks like it's caught Mercedes blindsided or there would surely have been overtures towards Norris, hell had Norris held off he would've undoubtedly got an even better offer from McLaren.
I challenge blindsided when they had been in contract talks for what, a year? The break clauses must be crystal clear to both sides. This isn't like Alpine who didn't have the right contract in place for Piastri.vaud said:
Killer2005 said:
ChocolateFrog said:
Wonder how the Tifosi will take it? Was sat amongst them when he won in Monza in 2018 (I think), they were not impressed.
Think they'd love him regardless if he wins but I can imagine him getting a shed load of abuse if he's not performing.
Nah, he'll be a Ferrari driver so will love him forever. Think they'd love him regardless if he wins but I can imagine him getting a shed load of abuse if he's not performing.
zb said:
Alonso is one of the reasons I didn't care for Hamilton. Parachuted into a team as 2nd driver, and immediately given equal billing, in his rookie year. That's all kinds of wrong for many reasons, yeah he did demonstrate his capability but c'mon now. Then the one season he has an uncompetitive car he drives around like a dick (pretty much like how he accused Verstappen of driving a few years back). I'm sure someone had to get a hold of him in the paddock, and tell him to stop being a tosser on the track. Then he jumps ship to Mercedes, after fulfilling his "lifetime dream" to drive a McLaren
Ultimately, these were the correct decisions, he does deserve acknowledgement and credit for that. It is, however, all a bit like the star player in your football team declaring his undying love, then going to sign for your biggest rivals.
Are you an archeologist? You seem very good at digging up the past.Ultimately, these were the correct decisions, he does deserve acknowledgement and credit for that. It is, however, all a bit like the star player in your football team declaring his undying love, then going to sign for your biggest rivals.
The best thing about McL is that there was no team leader. I expect they brought in LH to learn and to keep Alonso honest.
I was irritated when he left McL. More than a bit, but he's shown himself to be the most entertaining driver of the hybrids.
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