Which F1 Driver Would You Choose?

Francois Brun-Wibaux · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:27 am Post subject:

Though Alonso was impressive this year, some seem to forget what Vettel has already achieved in the small amount on time he has been driving in F1.
He won in a "Minardi", transferred to Red Bull when Red bull was a perennial back of the pack finisher, and then has won 3 championships in a row.
You can't say the Red bull was the best car that whole time, too many other things come to play, race strategy, tires, setup, luck....McLaren was the "best" car this year.
I would pick Vettel, he is only going to get better not so with the other "world champions".

Chris Livengood · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:46 pm Post subject:

As per the World Championship results Vettel was the best driver and the RedBull was the best car. The McLaren was third best, with Hamilton being fourth best. What's truly interesting is the Vettel and Alonso both bested their teammates by 5 spots, potentially meaning that they have under-performing teammates, or they themselves over-perform. Meanwhile, the McLaren duo sit side by side in fourth and fifth, showing little disparity between the two and in general proving that the McLaren wasn't much of a car. The proof really is in the pudding.

Frankly the entire argument is circular, if you know what i mean.
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Jim Derrig · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 4:43 pm Post subject:

I have to go with Vettel because

(1) I haven't seen any clear evidence that he can be flat out beat, while (as Joe H validly observed) Hamilton pretty much cleaned Alonso's clock when the two were teammates, and

(2) Vettel is younger and has more upside (if that is even possible after 3 WDC's).

Barry Hastings · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject:

Alonso, Hamilton Vettel Those are the undisputed top 3.

Alonso, very very strong, very technical can pull his car faster. and in turn lead the team in such a way to make the car that much better. And if its not THAT much better, Alonso will get whatever the car will give him.

Hamilton is in the same way. drives the car faster and pushes development towards his driving style which is fast. I feel Hamilton is able to carry his car some as well. Not the same as Alonso, in that when Lewis' car can give no more Hammy takes it and bad things then happen.

Vettel is just crazy fast. but does get very frustrated with his car if not fast enough and waits for Adrian to make it faster. I think he has a LOT more to offer, but doesn't push the car until its a LOT better.

On a side not, Schumacher I think still had everything he had when he stopped the first time.... EXCEPT Thousands of testing laps.

I really think had they not had the testing ban, his last 3 years would have been very different. OF the other top 3 they all are able to get the most from their cars from fewer laps.

IF all 3 were on the same team in the same car, Vettel and Lewis would have more poles and fastest laps, pushing each other into mistakes and Alonso win points thru the year... they all 3 are so good.

Last side note. i could see Mclaren fall to 3 or 4th team with Button leading the development... but thats my opinion...

joseph hollinger · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:38 pm Post subject:

Chris Livengood · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:49 am Post subject:

The McLaren should be fine. They just need to sort out their reliability.

It's the Mercedes that's going to underwhelm again.
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Justin Martin · Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 328

As the title says, this is a tough decision.

I strongly believe you have to take past, present, and future into account. Yes, lewis hamilton was breast fed by McLaren, but quite truthfully, that was a very smart business move. Lewis Hamilton undoubtedly has skill, and lots of it. I feel he is in a delicate position in his career, with careful attention I believe he still has room to mature. The reason I say "careful" is because He reminds me a lot of Supercross Star James Stewart. That guy was unbelievable, however he never quite blossomed. As he matured rather than gaining wisdom and speed, he lost his bravery and speed. And then there is Sergio Perez. This guy drives as if he is constantly testing the track, finding that extra traction. I heard rumors of this guy when he first attended Skip Barber in Cali. I believe he is an up and coming prodigy, who needs the chance through a strong team, and a little time to settle. On to Vettel, he is fast, just fast. This guy is young, and has room to grow, meanwhile he is just insanely fast. Alonso, good ol Prost-like Alonso... He is my least favorite, however I will not deny his tallent. The guy is fast, he made a slow twichy car, fast. However it was proven in the same car on the same team Hamilton smoked him. Many blame this on McLaren favoritism, however time and time again F1 has proven it is not about the driver, but the points. Remember Ferrari and Massa's broken seal? You better believe McLaren wouldn't hestitate to let Alonso win if he actually had the speed.

In conclusion, I chose Vettel. The guy is fast, and there is no denying that. He has proven that at least in a decent (or good) chassis he is fast. He worked his way up from last, with beautiful clean racing TWICE in the last season. Whether its the car or not, that much traffic and the difference in lap times to gain 2nd is HUGE.

Hamilton was a close second, I mentioned past's and that kid has a very succesful past. Does anyone remember just prior to his F1 debut? Istanbul 2006 Lewis Hamilton, under pressure for lacking performance from McLaren, he spins into 18th and finishes 2nd. Following year F1 debut...

Give Perez a top notch team, and another 1-2 years and he will be top 3.

Tim Doll · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:46 pm Post subject:

TJ Koyen · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:44 pm Post subject:

Larry Andrews · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:09 am Post subject:

Mike Goebel · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject:

Hamilton will make Rosberg his bitch this year!!!

Mike G.
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Oscar Aguilera · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1614

i love vettel because he knows how to win. for the most part he or what he gets from the personnel around him, makes him a very calculating driver on track. he stays focused and clearly is very emotional but he never shows it until he finishes the job he is a true leader in not pointing blame and someone helped him to become that kind of driver.

hamilton i think is the best driver on the track, but i dont think the "team" aspect was helping him. the multiple botched pit stops, the car failures were killing him. if he knows he is expected to make something happen he will make driving errors. i think he left because the team was not all in sync. i dont blame him for leaving. he lost his ability to work with the people around him and began pointing blame. no team will work like this and im not sure it started with hamilton...or someone else.

alonso is an awesome driver, has great personnel around him, and the car finished (very mechanically sound) but i think the engineers at ferrari were tapped out of ideas. they need to reqroup.

if you put hamilton or alonso on with vettles team and crew either driver would do as well.

both red bull and ferrari did the best to keep their driver positive and able to do his best. i dont think mcclaren did that for hamilton. they didnt do it for button either if you look at his results as well.

as in any motorsports series....it comes down to the complete team package. like a jimmy johnson during his reign or even a jeff gordon.

if you look back thru F1 it was the team car and driver that dominated the year. until the kers and drs came along...it would have gone to the team that did the best homework before they got to the track. the race was practically decided.

and although we had a fight this past year...it was imo the team that did the best homework once again...but we have more on track racing.

i hope this season is an awesome as i think it can be!!

vettel has the best attitude as of right now...(of course, he has been winning) hamilton used to, and if alonso doesnt see a potentially winning car this year,,,dont be surprised if he starts pointing the finger. it is the nature of eliminating problems in the formula of success.

joseph hollinger · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:25 am Post subject:

All we really know is that Button has the hottest girlfriend and Hamilton finishes a close second. Vettle isn't even old enough to have a girlfriend and Alonso is too much of a douche bag.
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