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Post by Windy Miller on Dec 1, 2016 9:25:34 GMT
Fair comments Gene. Personally I like Lewis and I am glad he said stuff it to the team (who already have the constructors championship) and fought for the title. Every single one of the other drivers would have done the same I'm sure, had they been in his position. Besides, as Batgirl said, it made for an exciting race in an otherwise dull procession. I won't miss Jenson or Felipe, neither of them has provided anything to shout about for a few years now. Jenson had a couple of good races (Canada in the wet springs to mind) and a fantastic car back in 2009. Felipe had a good year back in 2008 but I can't recall anything of note he has done since then. Whilst I'm at it (moaning that is ) I found all of the last race guff nauseating. That's all Are you Eddie Irvine?
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Post by Dirty Epic on Dec 1, 2016 10:10:56 GMT
Fair comments Gene. Personally I like Lewis and I am glad he said stuff it to the team (who already have the constructors championship) and fought for the title. Every single one of the other drivers would have done the same I'm sure, had they been in his position. Besides, as Batgirl said, it made for an exciting race in an otherwise dull procession. I won't miss Jenson or Felipe, neither of them has provided anything to shout about for a few years now. Jenson had a couple of good races (Canada in the wet springs to mind) and a fantastic car back in 2009. Felipe had a good year back in 2008 but I can't recall anything of note he has done since then. Whilst I'm at it (moaning that is ) I found all of the last race guff nauseating. That's all Are you Eddie Irvine? No Windy he's Rubens Barrichello!
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Post by Dirty Epic on Dec 1, 2016 10:34:32 GMT
I'd like to see Hamilton really lose it , fall out with Mercedes then go to Ferrari. That would shake the field up a bit. Actually it would be good to see what Lewis could bring to Ferrari considering they've had mediocre season this year and have gone backwards compared to 2015. Would he be able to use his racecraft and raw speed talent to get them to the front of the grid or would the world of Ferrari (politics) be a rude awakening for Lewis? Maybe this move could happen in 2018 especially if Vettel gets more and more hacked off with Ferrari. The future of Maurizio Arrivabene probably hinges upon where Ferrari go in the next few years. Generally Arrivabene seems no worse than any other team manager in F1 but something isn't quite working for them at the moment and he also seems to have created a rift with Vettel too - who knows if he's wrong/right there. Could Lewis work within that set up? Doubtful also Ferrari is much more closed in and restrictive than the environment Lewis has at Mercedes... even more so that what he experienced at McLaren in 2007-13. Also depends if Lewis has burnt a bridge or two at Mercedes and like Schumacher in 1996 fancies the challenge of re-building Ferrari? Could work but could also (like Alonso) be a bad move too. Who knows maybe he'll retire in a few years and build his media profile up as like him or hate him doesn't really have much to prove or justify his talent or success in F1!
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Post by Dirty Epic on Dec 2, 2016 13:44:01 GMT
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Batgirl
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Post by Batgirl on Dec 2, 2016 14:00:23 GMT
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Post by Gene Hunt on Dec 2, 2016 15:40:17 GMT
This is a total shock. Not really sure what to make of it but it appears that this year has taken a lot out of him and he's not willing to repeat the task.
I'm not a fan of Rosberg but I wish him well for the future.
Now...... who is getting the vacant Merc seat?
Gene.
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Post by Sam Tyler on Dec 2, 2016 16:32:38 GMT
Complete surprise and strange behaviour so soon after winning the championship.
I can't say I'm keen on him either but I respect his decision, particularly with a young family, and having made a good fortune I'm sure he can afford to retire from the cockpit but I'm sure we'll see more from him in one form or another.
Sam.
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F1 2016
Dec 2, 2016 17:18:15 GMT
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Post by Dirty Epic on Dec 2, 2016 17:18:15 GMT
Yeah I'm as shocked as you all at this but do respect his decision and maybe simply achieving the WDC was enough for Nico. As for Mercedes could this be a preparation for a Hamilton Vettel swap? Just can't see Lewis leaving on his own accord to join a failing third rate team somehow.... Still today's announcement stranger things have happened. Perez or Bottas could be more likely candidates for #2 driver at Mercedes but again there's also been rumours of Alonso joining this season and have things soured between Lewis, Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda to the point they'll have a all new line up in 2017? All very weird very mysterious! Thanks Nico for the action this season and all the best!
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Post by Gene Hunt on Dec 2, 2016 19:24:37 GMT
I think a significant factor is a lack of desire to tackle Lewis again. He knows he has little chance of beating him in a straight fight. He's lost so many times when mechanical failure has not played a part or when they haven't crashed. The two times they have come together on track has been - IN MY VIEW - Rosberg's fault (Spa and Barcelona).
Mercedes or more precisely Toto Wolff accepted Rosberg's decision immediately which to me suggests Rosberg has done them a huge favour in splitting up one of the most volatile driver teams in recent history. They were facing some awkward decisions to decide on how to tackle next year between the feuding pair.
However, if some of the rumours are correct as to who will replace Rosberg then I fear they will face an even stiffer challenge in keeping a happy house next year with both Alonso and Vettel being mooted. They may though take a more calculated risk in snatching Valteri Bottas from Williams.
I can't wait to hear who they sign.
Gene.
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Post by Windy Miller on Dec 2, 2016 20:11:19 GMT
A surprise announcement from Nico and one I certainly was not expecting, but the open and honest explanation is refreshing. Leaving when at the top of your career to spend proper time with your family.... a great example to fathers who wish they could afford to do the same. The announcement is a little disappointing as well as I'd have liked to see him defend the title next year.
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