The Formula 1 Thread - 2011
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From: Here and awake!
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From: Stanmore
I think Hamilton is brilliant, but (obviously) hasn't done very well recently.
Obtaining the same points as Alonso in his first season - brilliant
Winning the Drivers' Championship in a non-constructors winning car in his second season - brilliant
Having silly crashes (Kobayashi, Massa in Japan) not brilliant
Getting a silly penalty in Friday Practice not brilliant
I think Hamilton wants to win all the time, which costs him, whereas Button is able to be more pragmatic and settle for a podium when necessary - something Alonso did to good effect last year (and which very nearly won him the title).
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From: Market Harborough, Leics.
When both are on their top form i suspect there is nothing in it between Button and Hamilton.
However, Hamilton is able to get more from a car that might not be set up perfectly to his satisfaction. Button seems to struggle if the car doesn't handle just the way he wants it.
But this year Button has had his head screwed on and Hamilton just always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even down to ending up worse off when he hits his own team mate.
However, Hamilton is able to get more from a car that might not be set up perfectly to his satisfaction. Button seems to struggle if the car doesn't handle just the way he wants it.
But this year Button has had his head screwed on and Hamilton just always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even down to ending up worse off when he hits his own team mate.
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From: Banbury, Oxfordshire
But maybe it's Pirelli as much as anything. Button as we know is better at making the tyres last and look at the race as a whole, something that just isn't in Hamilton's nature. He always wants to go flat out all the time, and I think when he's told in the race to look after the tyres or save fuel, he just can't handle it.
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From: Southampton/Reading
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit 
Race information
Laps 55
Circuit length 5.554 km (3.451 mi)
Race length 305.470 km (189.810 mi)
Number of times held 2
First held 2009
Most wins (drivers)
Sebastian Vettel (2) Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Yas Marina, 11-13 November
Friday 11 November: Practice one - 0900-1030; Practice two - 1300-1430
Saturday 12 November: Practice three - 1000-1100; Qualifying - 1300-1400
Sunday 13 November: Race - 1300
So probably another win for Vettel with McLaren chasing their heels. Go me with my cutting edge, safe predictions!
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From: Sunshine Coast - England UK
Originally Posted by MB' timestamp='1320143793' post='21118211
[quote name='lower' timestamp='1320070062' post='21115349']
Hamilton's not a number 2. Still often quicker than Button in qualifying, but just can't keep it all together in the race at the moment.
I'm a big Button fan, but i can't help feeling that Button's current apparent form is more down to Hamilton's current lack of form.
The race should have been so much better with all the build up. Was it the dust problem that meant that there was no decent overtaking?
Hamilton's not a number 2. Still often quicker than Button in qualifying, but just can't keep it all together in the race at the moment.
I'm a big Button fan, but i can't help feeling that Button's current apparent form is more down to Hamilton's current lack of form.
The race should have been so much better with all the build up. Was it the dust problem that meant that there was no decent overtaking?
Regardless of circumstance, if you aren't filling your potential, you aren't the driver you should be. I don't want to be seen to constantly nocking Hamilton, but I do see him as a wasted talent at the moment.
In my view Jenson is the better driver. He's a more intelligent driver, and winning championships both personal and constructors, is about finishing races.. At the moment you just couldn't bet on Hamilton, and therefore Button is the main man (and also the most recent F1 champion)
[/quote]
Touche
They aren't statistics, they are facts. Points win prizes and all that. I agree with Ultra Nexus, you might have all the talent in the world but unless you can combine it with some racing intellect, you are f@#ked. You have to cross the finish line. You can pull off all the world class moves you like but it counts for nowt unless you are piling the points on.
I'm sure he will sort his head out and surpass Button (who is in his twilight years) but at the moment he's not the better driver.
Button is pretty much a complete pacakge imo, and an absolutely amazing driver. The stuff about his lack of aggression is bollocks. Having just read his book, he explains that it's calculated risk. It goes back to crossing the line with the car in one piece.
