What is going on with Hamilton and McLaren? They've got no pace at all.
Official Formula 1 Thread (Part 7)
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Originally Posted by Mystical123:
“Drive through for Kobayashi is very lenient, that doesn't harm him anymore than was already the case anyway, he'll be on an exploration mission for the rest of the race, he's not going to get points.
All quite dull up front now, Hamilton predictably having no pace and Alonso not being able to catch the Red Bulls. Wouldn't be surprised if Webber's been told not to try and catch Vettel.
When the only action is fighting for the last point you know it's a dull race...”
“Drive through for Kobayashi is very lenient, that doesn't harm him anymore than was already the case anyway, he'll be on an exploration mission for the rest of the race, he's not going to get points.
All quite dull up front now, Hamilton predictably having no pace and Alonso not being able to catch the Red Bulls. Wouldn't be surprised if Webber's been told not to try and catch Vettel.
When the only action is fighting for the last point you know it's a dull race...”
I'd agree with that, especially since he just retired anyway.
So Lewis is in trouble. Mclaren are not having a good day...
Well if I put my cynical hat on this is giving Hamilton a decent idea of what next season is going to be like for him - pretty slow and battling for the minor points. And Vergne's just got past Schumacher, which underlines all of that. 
But really, what on earth has happened to McLaren? The start of the season was much more interesting...
Kobayashi said he was waiting for someone to brake - um...surely he should be braking himself rather than waiting for others, he hit Rosberg and Button because he wasn't slowing down...
But really, what on earth has happened to McLaren? The start of the season was much more interesting...
Kobayashi said he was waiting for someone to brake - um...surely he should be braking himself rather than waiting for others, he hit Rosberg and Button because he wasn't slowing down...
Originally Posted by zieler:
“I'd agree with that, especially since he just retired anyway.
So Lewis is in trouble. Mclaren are not having a good day...”
“I'd agree with that, especially since he just retired anyway.
So Lewis is in trouble. Mclaren are not having a good day...”
I think it's championship over if it stays as it is.
Originally Posted by allthingsuk:
“I think it's championship over if it stays as it is.”
“I think it's championship over if it stays as it is.”
I think it was championship over last week tbh, and looks as if Hamilton might have to 3 stop this one because he can't make the tyres last...
ETA: Now Hamilton says he's getting scared, what on earth is going on?!
Originally Posted by Mystical123:
“I think it was championship over last week tbh, and looks as if Hamilton might have to 3 stop this one because he can't make the tyres last...”
“I think it was championship over last week tbh, and looks as if Hamilton might have to 3 stop this one because he can't make the tyres last...”
More setup problems, I'm guessing. The McL seems very difficult to setup - they had issues with Jenson's car earlier in the year, and now Lewis is starting to have setup issues as well. And they can't seem to get both cars consistently scoring big points. If 1 car wins or is on the podium, another will be lower down the points order or have retired from the race.
Originally Posted by allthingsuk:
“More setup problems, I'm guessing. The McL seems very difficult to setup - they had issues with Jenson's car earlier in the year, and now Lewis is starting to have setup issues as well. And they can't seem to get both cars consistently scoring big points. If 1 car wins or is on the podium, another will be lower down the points order or have retired from the race.”
“More setup problems, I'm guessing. The McL seems very difficult to setup - they had issues with Jenson's car earlier in the year, and now Lewis is starting to have setup issues as well. And they can't seem to get both cars consistently scoring big points. If 1 car wins or is on the podium, another will be lower down the points order or have retired from the race.”
Yeah I agree. And then look at Red Bull who are going to have a 1-2 and basically seal up the constructors championship unless McLaren have a dramatic improvement in the last few races - RBR are going to be about 60 points ahead.
The McLaren team seem not to know what to do for Hamilton now, plan B defending from Riccardo really isn't good enough!
Originally Posted by Mystical123:
“I think it was championship over last week tbh, and looks as if Hamilton might have to 3 stop this one because he can't make the tyres last...
ETA: Now Hamilton says he's getting scared, what on earth is going on?!”
“I think it was championship over last week tbh, and looks as if Hamilton might have to 3 stop this one because he can't make the tyres last...
ETA: Now Hamilton says he's getting scared, what on earth is going on?!
”
I think he was saying that the car feels nervous.
Originally Posted by allthingsuk:
“I think he was saying that the car feels nervous.”
“I think he was saying that the car feels nervous.”
Ah makes more sense, couldn't hear the radio message too clearly. Either way though, it just seems to be getting progressively worse and no-one seems to have any ideas of what to do!
'If we can get to the end on this set [of tyres] we're fighting for 6th' - says it all really, that's not going to help them in either championship. And I wouldn't be surprised at all if Hamilton has to stop again and doesn't get any points.
Originally Posted by Mystical123:
“Yeah I agree. And then look at Red Bull who are going to have a 1-2 and basically seal up the constructors championship unless McLaren have a dramatic improvement in the last few races - RBR are going to be about 60 points ahead.
The McLaren team seem not to know what to do for Hamilton now, plan B defending from Riccardo really isn't good enough!”
“Yeah I agree. And then look at Red Bull who are going to have a 1-2 and basically seal up the constructors championship unless McLaren have a dramatic improvement in the last few races - RBR are going to be about 60 points ahead.
The McLaren team seem not to know what to do for Hamilton now, plan B defending from Riccardo really isn't good enough!”
It's all a bit odd. Leading the race in SIngapore to being down the order in Japan and well down the order in Korea.
It's becoming another nearly-men season for McLaren - didn't make their advantage count at the start of the year or in previous races, and now usurped by Red Bull and Ferrari.
A third consecutive win for Vettel on the cards? Yawn.
Still, Red Bull are showing McLaren how to get to the front and consolidate their advantage with both cars running 1-2. I don't think we've seen a 1-2 in the race from McLaren this year.
Still, Red Bull are showing McLaren how to get to the front and consolidate their advantage with both cars running 1-2. I don't think we've seen a 1-2 in the race from McLaren this year.
Well, all the dodgy alternators in the world won't stop Red Bull now. Is it too late to outlaw their latest upgrade? Little Jack Horner is lucky that Newey's pulled out a plum once again. I can't imagine anything more boring than RBR one-twos on Tilke tracks.
Lewis going backwards, McLaren have blatantly sacked the year off. The only reason to watch the rest of the season is to see how much carnage Grosjean, Maldonado and Kobayashi can cause at the start of races. That and the USA GP.
Lewis going backwards, McLaren have blatantly sacked the year off. The only reason to watch the rest of the season is to see how much carnage Grosjean, Maldonado and Kobayashi can cause at the start of races. That and the USA GP.
Gotta love the McLaren radio message to Lewis: "You're maintaining the gap to Ricciardo".
Yes, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear that he's not slower than the Torro Rosso.
Yes, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear that he's not slower than the Torro Rosso.
It's just like McL has lost impetus and given up their title hopes.
It's been a very poor few races for McLaren. And Hamilton slightly slower than a Toro Rosso?
It's been a very poor few races for McLaren. And Hamilton slightly slower than a Toro Rosso?
Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.
Originally Posted by Si_Crewe:
“Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.”
“Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.
”
Well Ferrari would be stupid to let him fight Alonso, I know we want to see racing but Alonso can still win the Championship.
Great racing from Nico Hulkenberg there.
Originally Posted by Thomas007:
“I have £100 on Vettel so come on!”
“I have £100 on Vettel so come on!”
I think you're fairly safe on that one. Personally I'm hoping for a Vettel mechanical problem, would make the race more interesting...
I hate team orders, much as I want Alonso to win the championship I'd much rather see Massa racing Webber. It would make getting up for this worthwhile, which it hasn't been so far!
Originally Posted by Mystical123:
“Well if I put my cynical hat on this is giving Hamilton a decent idea of what next season is going to be like for him - pretty slow and battling for the minor points. And Vergne's just got past Schumacher, which underlines all of that.
But really, what on earth has happened to McLaren? The start of the season was much more interesting...
Kobayashi said he was waiting for someone to brake - um...surely he should be braking himself rather than waiting for others, he hit Rosberg and Button because he wasn't slowing down...”
“Well if I put my cynical hat on this is giving Hamilton a decent idea of what next season is going to be like for him - pretty slow and battling for the minor points. And Vergne's just got past Schumacher, which underlines all of that.
But really, what on earth has happened to McLaren? The start of the season was much more interesting...
Kobayashi said he was waiting for someone to brake - um...surely he should be braking himself rather than waiting for others, he hit Rosberg and Button because he wasn't slowing down...
”
I can't quite see why Hamilton has decided to bail from McLaren, let alone sign for Mercedes? Surely the only places to go for a 'racer' is either Red Bull or Ferrari, but those seats for next year have been secured by the resident drivers.
I read somewhere that one of the reasons for the move is that he had more freedom to get sponsorship deals at Mercedes?? ...... which of course is what every driver is remembered for in years to come!
As for Kobayashi, that is one of the best excuses I have heard for causing a collision!! 'Excuse me race officials but I was waiting for the rest of the drivers to brake to let me through'.
The gap between the experienced and top drivers and the also runs seems to be widening. The skill of the front runners during that first lap going toe to toe but not contacting is evidence .... all they needed was Kobayashi at the front of the grid and we may have got rid of the Red Bulls and Alonso from this race already!
Originally Posted by Si_Crewe:
“Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.”
“Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.
”
I thought Massa would have the better of Alonso. Shame really.
Originally Posted by zieler:
“Well Ferrari would be stupid to let him fight Alonso, I know we want to see racing but Alonso can still win the Championship.
Great racing from Nico Hulkenberg there.”
“Well Ferrari would be stupid to let him fight Alonso, I know we want to see racing but Alonso can still win the Championship.
Great racing from Nico Hulkenberg there.”
Would it not be smart for Alonso to let him past, see if Massa can catch and pass Webber then hold him up to give Alonso a chance to pass Webber too?
Worst case scenario, it doesn't work and then Massa drops back in the last couple of laps.
Originally Posted by Stunty:
“I can't quite see why Hamilton has decided to bail from McLaren, let alone sign for Mercedes? Surely the only places to go for a 'racer' is either Red Bull or Ferrari, but those seats for next year have been secured by the resident drivers.”
“I can't quite see why Hamilton has decided to bail from McLaren, let alone sign for Mercedes? Surely the only places to go for a 'racer' is either Red Bull or Ferrari, but those seats for next year have been secured by the resident drivers.”
The more time passes, the more I think that the Mercedes move makes little sense, especially when it concerns their form on track. Hamilton gambling on a set of regulations for 2014 is very risky. After all, Mercedes could gain a lot of pace relative to the top teams for 2014 but can very easily drop further back with the new regulations.
Originally Posted by Si_Crewe:
“Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.”
“Massa's radio: "You're too close to Fernando. Back off by another second or so".
And so another shred of Massa's remaining confidence and dignity gets eaten away.
”
How demoralising to have to play second fiddle all your F1 career.
I really cannot stand to hear of see Rob Smedley after the 'Fernando is faster than you' message. They showed him on the pit wall earlier and it makes me want to put my foot through my tv!!
Poor old Felipe.
Lewis's McL moving around weirdly in a straight line. A lot of steering movement in a straight line.
Vettel wins :yawn:
Hat-trick of wins. No McLaren has managed such a run this season. Says a lot really.
Hat-trick of wins. No McLaren has managed such a run this season. Says a lot really.
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