Motorsport Off Topic Thread
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He’s definitely fast. His pole positions show that. But yes, he hasn’t backed it up with results (his conversion rate from pole is absolute dog**** ) and he seems very quick to make mistakes. But then again, of the “new” generation Russell has also come a cropper a few times too.
I think if Leclerc gets his head screwed on and wins a few races, gets some confidence, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with. More so than Russell.
Leclerc is, I think, the fastest driver on the grid in raw pace. His dreadful pole-to-race ratio is less a result of a problem and more a result of just how good he is at getting a pole out of that car; frequently putting the slower Ferrari ahead of Max's showing in the faster Red Bull. Leclerc's problem is managing a whole race distance and a tendency to push too hard and make mistakes. Part of that is simply that he has to push that much harder to compete with the faster cars he's trying to race with; but I think it's also a lack of race craft and experience. He also doesn't give the impression of being a particularly intelligent driver.
For now, I put Russell and Leclerc about on par. I think Lewis will struggle more against Leclerc in quali where I expect Leclerc to beat Lewis by, say, 15-9 or thereabouts but he'll make it back in the races - for now, at least. Age will surely catch Lewis before he leaves the sport.
For now, I put Russell and Leclerc about on par. I think Lewis will struggle more against Leclerc in quali where I expect Leclerc to beat Lewis by, say, 15-9 or thereabouts but he'll make it back in the races - for now, at least. Age will surely catch Lewis before he leaves the sport.
I think Charles was putting that Ferrari higher than it deserved to be, which might also be a factor in the mistakes that were made during the race.
We know Carlos isn't a slow driver, and I feel that he's underperformed at Ferrari, or based on the above, performed where Ferrari realistically are in terms of overall pace. Charles was never going to win the title, even without the mistakes that car fell of in the later part of the season, but I think it's given him some great experience to hopefully carry forward.
Mind you, on the flip side wasn’t Carlos mostly a close second (third) whenever Leclerc got his poles? So maybe it was just due to the track and setup favouring Ferrari every now and again.
RB have always said they concentrate on race pace so also perhaps there’s no wonder Leclerc snatched a few poles and couldn’t get near them in the race.
As usual, too many variables in this sport!
RB have always said they concentrate on race pace so also perhaps there’s no wonder Leclerc snatched a few poles and couldn’t get near them in the race.
As usual, too many variables in this sport!
You forgot
"Tyres are shot"
Then puts in the fastest lap
Ferrari could be the death of that meme unless they make some drastic improvements to their tyre life.
Though tyre management has typically been something Hamilton has been good at so we’ll see how he compared to LeClerc.
Yes, I expect Leclerc will beat Hamilton handily in pole positions.
To be honest, Lewis has never been the most incredible driver on a Saturday. He can be amazing through a race though. Bottas got very close and managed to beat him semi regularly in qualifying, but come race day Lewis was often much faster.
We've seen similar with Russell as well. Lewis has been the faster/done better in the race the majority of the time.
As you say, Leclerc will almost certainly beat him a lot of the time in qualifying, but I imagine it will be much closer for race results.
I also imagine that Lewis will have some major adaptation to do the first season he is there considering he's been with one team and engine for what will be 12 years!
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I don't think that's true; he was incredible but it's the one area he's got weaker on as he gets older. He's still good in quali but he used to be great.
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I didn't mean to say he was not great as such. I just meant that he has never sat in my mind as the absolute strongest qualifier on the grid at any one time. Arguably you could say Leclerc would be a contender for that at the moment.
As you say though, it is something that has deteriorated as well (maybe just due to age)
I mean right now if I had to choose a driver to get me the fastest lap and the machinery was all equal I'd choose Max or Leclerc for sure.
For a race result, probably Max or Lewis.
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Soldato
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I don't even think Max is qually specialist in the way Vettel and even Ricciardo were at times.
Of course the true qually specialist was Trulli. Choo Choo.
Out qualified his team mate 20-2.
Take off the hate for a few moments, and follow the onboard in that last sector. Astounding.
INSIDE STORY: The Greatest Qualifying Ever? | 2023 Monaco Grand Prix | Lenovo
Prepare for an exhilarating ride as F1 Inside Story delves deep into the intense drama of the 2023 Monaco qualifying. Was it the best ever? Join us as we dis...
www.youtube.com
This is what I was going to say. He seems quick but he’s made too many errors compared to the other quick guys.
Albon smashed his team mate 22-0 lol! Perez just isn’t top tier and or struggles with the RB’s handling characteristics. Max is definitely a beast in a formula one car but let’s not pretend Perez is on his level..Out qualified his team mate 20-2.
Take off the hate for a few moments, and follow the onboard in that last sector. Astounding.
INSIDE STORY: The Greatest Qualifying Ever? | 2023 Monaco Grand Prix | Lenovo
Prepare for an exhilarating ride as F1 Inside Story delves deep into the intense drama of the 2023 Monaco qualifying. Was it the best ever? Join us as we dis...
Soldato
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I think Leclerc has raw pace, but it is unrefined. He makes too many unforced errors and needs to hone his race craft. I’m sure it will come in time and if I’m honest I think some of the issues are the team as well. Chances are Lewis will outclass him due to experience and race craft.
Against a driver like Lewis, I doubt raw pace will be enough. Not once Lewis gets his feet under the table.
All that being said, I suppose it very much depends if Lewis has a 1 or a 2 at the top of his contract.
Against a driver like Lewis, I doubt raw pace will be enough. Not once Lewis gets his feet under the table.
All that being said, I suppose it very much depends if Lewis has a 1 or a 2 at the top of his contract.
Toto Wolff On Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Exit
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff speaks for the first time about his reaction to Lewis Hamilton's shock decision to leave for Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season.F...
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Delighted with the news, absolutely nothing to lose. Best news in F1 for ages.
Last year was the worst ever, I barely watched any F1, expecting the same this year, I despise Red Bull (have since the Vettel days). But at least with Vettel, there was some drama with Webber putting up a fight.
Last year was the worst ever, I barely watched any F1, expecting the same this year, I despise Red Bull (have since the Vettel days). But at least with Vettel, there was some drama with Webber putting up a fight.
Soldato
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I love the way hes like 'rolling the dice a bit' nah I'm sure Lewis looked at the Merc car development and was like 'this ain't it champ'.Toto Wolff On Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Exit
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff speaks for the first time about his reaction to Lewis Hamilton's shock decision to leave for Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season.F...
I also think there is no way they are going to pick a driver on the current grid to replace him, why would you? Just get someone new in and give them a shot. You have George that can carry the mantel for a few years.
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I'm not sure Lewis has gone to Ferrari because he thinks they will necessarily be faster. I think he has decided that there is no way of knowing who will have the better car out of the two in 2025. I mean the Ferrari was better in 2022 and maybe a little better/on a par in 2023.
To me, he's just realised he won't be going to RB and there is no way of knowing which car will be better in the long run between Merc and Ferrari so he's just decided to have a change and maybe fulfill a lifelong goal.
$100m per year also ain’t bad.