New F1 season kicks off this weekend (Page 22 of 33)

It's not just about the engines mio amico.  Engines need gearboxes and a driver as well as all the other gizmos and techi stuff, and if any of the key elements don't work then it doesn't matter which engine is bolted on.  Perez vs Hamilton - no contest!

Well, I’m not sure where to start!  I can’t make out where you’re coming from on this, whether you’re a fan of Ferrari, Sergio Perez or just have a thing about engines.  Maybe you’re just being teasingly provocative.  But it doesn’t matter.  I’m up for a debate.

Hamilton vs Perez - in that race, in those conditions, on that set up, on those tyres etc etc I agree that the Sauber (yes, with the Ferrari engine in front of a home crowd if you like) was probably quicker than the McLaren (yes, with the Mercedes engine).  But the key words are: on that day.  I don’t know enough to say whether in a straight line speed test which would be better, and that isn’t really the point.  The engine, chassis, driver all have to come together in one package and we all know some circuits suit some cars better and some tyres suit some cars better.  All it went to show was that the Ferrari engine is a good one.

In a past post I think I suggested that F1 was getting to the stage of being so technology based that the cars could almost drive themselves and that a monkey could win a GP, but that was tongue in cheek.  Yes, the best drivers have to be a little arrogant and full of self belief - but these attributes have to be nurtured and controlled.  Perez is young and between him and Maldonado have caused so many on track incidents this year that it must be embarrasing for them and their teams, so there’s a fine line between being gung-ho and taking a more analytical and measured approach.  I guess it’s called maturity and Lewis is now showing some whereas I can’t say that Perez is.  Sometimes I know you just have to go for it, but it’s costly for the driver, the team and reputation.

There’s more to F1 than Perez vs Hamilton or Ferrari vs Mercedes or McLaren vs Ferrari but it’s good to have a different point of view.  Maybe mine is too simplistic but there are other people who contribute to this thread who are much more knowledgeable than me on the subject.  By jove, I think this is the longest post I’ve ever put together on this forum!

PS: You should know I’m actually an out and out Ferrari (the team) fan regardless of who’s driving (and the ugly politics of a few years ago) and I’m an amica .

Frankly, I don't think that Lewis Hamilton comes anywhere near a great F1 champion just like I never thought Ayrton Senna (RIP) had ever been a F1 champion in his right......these 2 do not come anywhere near the likes of Fangio, Enzo Ferrari, Graham Hill, Alan Jones, Prost, etc. That's MY 2 cents of course:)

So, it's official.

Lewis Hamilton will leave McLaren to join Mercedes racing team next year in a deal worth around £60m.  I don't suppose he'll end up with all that money himself, but that's even more money than Wayne Rooney earns. 

I guess the question is now who will end up as Jenson's teammate?  Edit - Couldn't help but laugh - it turns out it'll be Sergio Perez.

Hey snakes & ladders - your boy driving a car with a MERCEDES engine

I hear V-6s next year too... Lame...... Theres nothing like the sound of 20 thousand rpm V-8....  I had the honor of being on the grid  as a guest of Timo Glock in 2010 at the Hungarian Grand Prix ..... I will never forget it and now I'm hooked..  Lets not bash my friend Lewis... There are always  a thousand twist and turns to all these situations and deals..   He is a good guy, a class act, a killer driver and proudly owns a JBLP ....  With that said the new McClaren road car replaces the Audi R-8 as my favorite car I will never be able to afford!!  Please no sell your 59 Les Paul comments... LOL....
Joe B

I was gonna say sell the 59......f:;..k that... !!! 59 lp would give me so much more joy!!  ...so if your offering joe !! ..lol..
$100??? :-)

Fortunately or unfortunately, whichever way you look at it Formula one is trying to be cheaper and more fuel efficient for the planet. Years ago it was V12's and 10's. How long before they produce hybrid or electric cars. Before you laugh an electric motorcycle lapped the TT circuit at over 100 this year. ( sounded crap though). Ah well, progress I suppose. Lewis and Jenson are still my favourite two drivers for completely opposite reasons (not just the Brit thing) but rule changes have not favoured Jenson at all as the new tyres go off for everyone, where in the past he was the master with worn tyres. IMHO of course.

Joe and all of you - Fear not. This is my 1000th post and would I lie to you?

It could have been far worse as they (Renault) wanted a 4 cylinder motor like in the '80's. But Ferrari (yes Snakes & Ladders Ferrari) prevailed and got the V6 they wanted. Now they are all on the same page.

However, over the last years the V8's have been consistently strangled as the designers have used the engine exhaust to capture downforce lost through tightened regulations. Think back to all those fancy systems the teams have been trying to run...Renaults forward facing, McLarens 'octopus' and so on...

From what I've read that won't be an option from 2014. The exhaust will have to exit the back of the car unfettered and as a result will have a distinctive howl. The manufacturers ARE aware of what a racing car should sound like and the engine note will be an integral part of it.

Now as to those other recent themes on here….

I’m with you Lyn. I’m not sure if S&L is just trying to wind us up or not. Valid opinion and comment is always welcome here but ‘fanboys’ should at least try to keep some perspective on it all.

Fact is, McLaren have won more races over the last 30 years than Ferrari and they have never once had a Maranello motor in the back! Also the slagging off of the Merc motor doesn’t stack up either. We all know the Renault has a bit less HP whilst the others are closely matched. Of course Merc has had two of the top 4 teams using it over the last couple of seasons whilst Force India has also been a regular point’s scorer. It may be that to S&L Merc doesn’t have the same charisma as Ferrari, but it sure as hell has a longer racing history. So the obsession with the engine is a bit misplaced.

This season Ferrari’s challenge for titles has been, certainly in the first part of the season, down to Alonso. So credit where it’s due. The car was so far off at the start of the season only his consistent driving and fighting for points has them where they are today. Basically his talent has transcended the mediocrity of the car early on this year. However, they should be heartily congratulated for the progress they have made through the year to date. Pitstops, strategy and teamwork have kept Alonso consistently in the hunt and he then does the rest. Massa is having an indifferent year again, but he isn’t an idiot. So if you measure the level of his performance against what his teamate is doing you can only have the very highest regard for Alonso.

As to the S&L’s comment about Senna, I suppose if you compare him as a man to some of those mentioned in his comment, then Senna doesn’t fare so well. Lewis too, based on his recent twitterings. Fangio, Hill, Prost and the like were hard, but fair and knew where the line was and how it was drawn. Senna would ignore that line when it suited him to do so. Same as Schumacher. Great drivers, yes. Great champions…………yes, if you are prepared to ignore certain human failings. As for Hamilton, most other drivers have him down as the fastest there is at the moment. He still has time to be one of the names on that list. I think he has the talent to do it. This move to Mercedes could then make or break him. If he hasn’t won another championship by 2015 you could argue that he won’t again.

I’m quite pleased he has made the move actually. It has all worked out very well. McLaren have stolen Perez from under Ferrari’s nose and that will be seen to have been a big mistake. Perez is ready to win and now he most definitely will.

Mercedes will be better next year. They have shifted the resources to 2013 early again as they build towards the new rules in 2014. The current design cycle produces ever diminishing returns for the top teams the longer it goes on so Mercedes have more scope than the others on the one hand. Next year they really have no excuses and Nico can finally be measured against a top liner of his own era.

So after all that 1000th post rubbish above, can I just say I want Ferrari/Alonso to win this year. In this year of surprises they would be most deserving champions