Real racing thread

[DoubleJ]

...obviously he or his management do care about the money...

yes, of course. I'm sure XIX have a strategy to develop BrandHamilton than extends way beyond the end of his racing career.

But no way was the salary the only factor in LH's decision to move.

How it all pans out remains to be seen over the next few seasons, but I think it's pretty clear that he needed out of McLaren ASAP, as relationships with Uncle Ron had soured beyond reconciliation.

Also, with due respect to Pascal, i think it's way too early to say that Mercedes cannot compete with RBR/Ferrari.

Don't forget that only 6 or 7 years ago, RBR were a joke. A fizzy-drinks company that had no place in F1 at all.

So if they can go from laughing-stock to WC in 6 seasons, what do you think a colossal force like Mercedes could do with the weight of Petronas behind them? Especially as they will be way ahead of the curve when it comes to 2014, and they are one of only two teams that build their own engines.

There's also a parallel from not so long a go about a young Champion moving to a big-name constructor who were thought to be hopelessly uncompetitive and rebuilding the team around himself.

The team was Ferrari. The driver was Michael Schumacher. The result was 5 WDC titles.

[CoccoBill]

Don't forget that only 6 or 7 years ago, RBR were a joke. A fizzy-drinks company that had no place in F1 at all.

So if they can go from laughing-stock to WC in 6 seasons, what do you think a colossal force like Mercedes could do with the weight of Petronas behind them? Especially as they will be way ahead of the curve when it comes to 2014, and they are one of only two teams that build their own engines.

What made it possible for RBR? Adrian Newey.

[DoubleJ]

...Adrian Newey...

Ah, yes. Another interesting parallel that i'd forgotten about - thanks for reminding me.

Newey designed the championship winning cars for Hakkinen at McLaren, then got 'disgruntled' and made the "OMG! What is he doing? He's Crazy!" move to joke-team RBR, only to go on to win the Championships in 2010 and 2011.

so, yeah, don't write off the Mercs just yet based on only 3 seasons of data

[chemist]

There's also a parallel from not so long a go about a young Champion moving to a big-name constructor who were thought to be hopelessly uncompetitive and rebuilding the team around himself.

Yes but Hamilton is no Schumacher or Alonso.

Hamilton and Vettel can drive when they are provided with a good package including the car, support and strategy.

Schumacher and Alonso are able to do more than just drive,
they provide feedback of their requirements to the team (a bit more specifically than just 'I want a faster car') which helps to improve the package for them, and they are able to think strategically themselves on and off the track.

[DoubleJ]

hmmmm.....

so what - in your opinion - is Ross Brawns' motivation in replacing Schumacher with Hamilton, then?

If Brawn is talking about 2013 being an "evolutionary" phase for the team, why would he hire a driver who wasn't capable of fulfilling that role?

[supa]

hmmmm.....

so what - in your opinion - is Ross Brawns' motivation in replacing Schumacher with Hamilton, then?

Going out on a limb here but it could have to do with how Schumi keeps crashing his fucking cars.

[DoubleJ]

Going out on a limb here but it could have to do with how Schumi keeps crashing his fucking cars.

LOLZ!!

Nah, the question was not so much about why replace him, but more about why replace him with someone who (according to some above) isn't going to play a significant part in developing the car?

[chemist]

hmmmm.....

so what - in your opinion - is Ross Brawns' motivation in replacing Schumacher with Hamilton, then?

If Brawn is talking about 2013 being an "evolutionary" phase for the team, why would he hire a driver who wasn't capable of fulfilling that role?

hmmmm...

Fair point, good question.

Ross Brawn is certainly a thinker.
He and Schumacher worked very well together at Ferrari.
He took over Honda and Jenson Button and won a championship in the first year of his own branded team (albeit with a car that had a technical edge over the others).

But faced with Michael not managing to return to his pre first retirement form deciding to stand down again and Alonso not being available, he had to pick someone from the rest of the pack.

I wouldn't have been surprised to see Button make the move.
I might be going out on a limb here Perhaps Ross walked into the Maclaren garage to offer Jenson a job, Hamilton's manager overheard and said we'll take that.

We will just have to wait and see how next season turns out.

One thought, perhaps Brawn decided to split the job in two,
have Hamilton do the driving, and keep Schumacher as a technical consultant to fulfill the rest of the role.

[DoubleJ]

Schumacher announced his retirement from racing today @ Suzuka.

There was not mention of what he plans to do after the season ends, saying his focus is on the remaining races - "There are six races to go - that's what comes next. Whatever comes afterwards, we'll see. There is no point and need to find any decisions right now."

Ross Brawn has already suggested a position is available for him within the motorsport group - "We would like him to stay involved with Mercedes. There is a lot of things he can contribute - perhaps on the racing car side but certainly on the road car side and I think that is something he would enjoy a great deal"

[DoubleJ]

@supa - are you going to CoTA this weekend?

looks like they done an awesome job on the circuit.

and we could have both titles decided on Sunday