As there is doubt as to whether the 2014 changes will be enacted in full, I wonder if this might be an unfulfilled promise on Mercs behalf - a lot of people are expecting the engine changes to be scrapped.
I think Merc were hoping to do the same thing Toyota/Brawn did in 2009 - sacrifice the prior season to come out ahead on a step change in the rules, leap frogging the top teams.
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10241 posts, RR: 40 Reply 2, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 1600 times:
The Monaco Mercedes McLaren store is rirght across the street from his building.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxmCCsMoD0
They kicked Schumi out and they are taking Hammy in? If they give Hammy the same crap car they gave Schumi all along it will be an utter disappointment for him.
If Sergio leaves Sauber to join Mercedes rumours are that Schumi will be taking his place with Sauber. Considering the Saubers are really good cars Schumi would be much better off with Sauber than he has ever been with Mercedes.
Some in the back rooms are sayingg that Kamui would move to Williams but this has to be verified.
[Edited 2012-09-28 01:24:55]
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
moo From Falkland Islands, joined May 2007, 3596 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1575 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 2): They kicked Schumi out and they are taking Hammy in? If they give Hammy the same crap car they gave Schumi all along it will be an utter disappointment for him.
I'm sorry, but Schumacher has retired in 7 races out of 14 this season - while Rosberg, in the same car, has not retired at all.
While he has had some impressive mechanical failures, I'm pretty sure its not the car that's letting Schumacher down the bulk of the time...
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 2): If Sergio leaves Sauber to join Mercedes rumours are that Schumi will be taking his place with Sauber. Considering the Saubers are really good cars Schumi would be much better off with Sauber than he has ever been with Mercedes.
Accordingly you could argue that despite a number of big names on the technical team at Mercedes, there's really very little history of success at the team.
Euclid From South Africa, joined Apr 2005, 372 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1492 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 8): I am confident that Schumi will get another drive in 2013 with one of the top teams. He will get it.
No, he won't. For the first time in his F1 career he was made to compete on an even footing with his teammate, and he has been roundly beaten by Rosberg last year, and this year is a repeat of last year, although a bit closer. This just proves that he is not just a has-been, but a never-was.
If he had to compete on an even footing with all of his teammates at Benetton and Ferrari, he would not have won as many championships as he eventually did. Way overhyped. Any team boss with half a braincell will not touch him with a bargepole after the performances he delivered after his "comeback".
na From Germany, joined Dec 1999, 9603 posts, RR: 10 Reply 11, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1481 times:
That Schumacher, the best F1-driver ever, is being replaced is certainly more newsworthy than the thread title. Schumi seems to old now to show up again next year. He has waited too long to sign again, and was overtaken by his own team. This will certainly make bad headlines for Mercedes (and Michael) today in Germany. Very sad that he didnt find the right moment to leave at his own timing!
Quoting Euclid (Reply 10): For the first time in his F1 career he was made to compete on an even footing with his teammate, and he has been roundly beaten by Rosberg last year, and this year is a repeat of last year, although a bit closer. This just proves that he is not just a has-been, but a never-was.
Rubbish. Okay, the younger Rosberg has been slightly faster most of the time, but the most important thing is that Mercedes has never been able to give him with a competitive car, and Schumacher is simply too old now. His Mercedes time was just totally unnecessary after such a great career with Ferrari.
I dont think Hamilton did make the right move with signing for the works team, McLaren has proven to be the better team propelled by Stuttgart-born engines.
moo From Falkland Islands, joined May 2007, 3596 posts, RR: 4 Reply 13, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1469 times:
Quoting na (Reply 11): the most important thing is that Mercedes has never been able to give him with a competitive car
Also, it might be worth noting that the last time Schumacher was competitive, he was with a team and an F1 ruleset which allowed him to take a car out onto a test track whenever he wanted, to test whatever he wanted for an essentially unlimited time.
That allowed him to get each and every car set up perfectly for every single race - now, they get limited testing before a season and three practice sessions prior to each race... Thats a huge adjustment to make, especially when all sorts of aerodynamic and mechanical changes have happened in the mean time.
Aesma From France, joined Nov 2009, 4775 posts, RR: 9 Reply 14, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1469 times:
I doubt the engines will be scrapped, the manufacturers have been spending millions on them already.
Now, Hamilton's move in hopes of a better 2014 car, well, next year is 2013 ! He will suffer driving the uncompetitive Mercedes, especially considering his driving style and the fact the car kills the tires so quickly.
As for MSC, what was he thinking ? That Ferrari would take him back ? He should have signed when he had the chance.
New Technology is the name we give to stuff that doesn't work yet. Douglas Adams
Aesma From France, joined Nov 2009, 4775 posts, RR: 9 Reply 16, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1457 times:
According to Autosport Mercedes had a contract ready for MSC but he was the one that took his sweet time, so Mercedes not wanting to be without a top driver courted Hamilton.
New Technology is the name we give to stuff that doesn't work yet. Douglas Adams
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10241 posts, RR: 40 Reply 17, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1449 times:
Quoting Aesma (Reply 16): Mercedes had a contract ready for MSC but he was the one that took his sweet time
I am remaining positive that he will get a better contract in 2013.
The rumour of Hammy signing with Mercedes was not new. Now it's a done deal. Nico and Hammy live in the same building at the Larvotto beach in Monte Carlo. The two should get on very well. Jenson also lives quite near the two, so does Felipe Massa. I won't go as far as naming the buildings. Monaco is the F1 capital of the world.
The move is not a surprise. I think Hammy will be the big loser in the deal. Sergio is the big winner.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
stealthz From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 5425 posts, RR: 49 Reply 18, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1427 times:
mmm.. not unexpected but I don't see it as the right move for the young superstar.
Says more about him being in F1 for the money and the celebrity status rather than to be a racer.. or at least a winning racer!
Manufacturer teams have a fairly sad history in F1. (they do tend to pay drivers well though)
It is entirely possible that Mercedes will come up with a winning car in 2014 and prove me wrong but the stats don't support that.
The thing with manufacturers in F1 is, they tend to become bogged down in corporate stuff.. meetings, accountants, managers. This isn't to say that these are unimportant at the "racing teams" as Enzo belittled them.. the "garagista" (and I would to some extent include Ferrari in that group) but the focus is on the racing and what works for that.
At the manufacturers the activity centres on what is important for the managers, accountants etc.. not the result...this also affects the business results but is much more pronounced when trying to run something as dynamic as a racing team. ***
OK I will stop trying to win the Brand/results v bureaucracy war and just say.. Lewis, I think you made a big mistake!
*** It also lengthens the decision process to levels that just don't work for F1
If your camera sends text messages, that could explain why your photos are rubbish!
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10241 posts, RR: 40 Reply 19, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1420 times:
Quoting stealthz (Reply 18): Says more about him being in F1 for the money and the celebrity status rather than to be a racer.. or at least a winning racer!
You nailed it.
His close friendship with showbiz stars and relationship with a pussycat dolly doll did not have a good influence on him. I always thought thar he had to make a choice between showbiz and music, and Formula 1 driving. Apparently he wants to have both. He is not the same anymore. He is more rich for sure but not the ultimate motivated driver he was when he joined Formula 1. If he flunks Mercedes and starts losing podiums, he is done (and gone).
Let's see what comes. He is still with McLaren until years end. Then we will see.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10241 posts, RR: 40 Reply 21, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1398 times:
13.49 Uhr: Daimler-Boss: Erfolge fehlten
Daimler-Vorstandschef Dieter Zetsche hat die fehlenden Erfolge von Michael Schumacher im Silberpfeil als Grund für die Trennung zum Saisonende genannt.
Zetsche in der „Welt“: „Wir hatten eine gute Zeit mit Michael Schumacher, und es hat Spaß gemacht. Allerdings haben wir die Ziele nicht erreicht, die wir uns vorgenommen haben. Damit war eine Voraussetzung für eine Vertragsverlängerung nicht mehr gegeben. Über die Erwartung, die man an seinen Nachfolger Hamilton hat, gibt es im Daimler-Konzern nur ein Wort: gewinnen!"
Quelle: www.bild.de
So my Dears, here we have it black on white, why they have brought Hamilton: 13.49 pm: Daimler boss: successes were missing Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche has called the missing achievements of Michael Schumacher in the silver arrow as a reason for the separation to end of the season.
Zetsche, in the "world": "we had a good time with Michael Schumacher, and it was fun." However we have not achieved the goals that we have made. Thus, a requirement for a contract extension was no longer given. "On the expectation that one has on his successor Hamilton, there is only one word in the Daimler group: win!"
CXB77L From Australia, joined Feb 2009, 2183 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1397 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Quoting Euclid (Reply 10): No, he won't. For the first time in his F1 career he was made to compete on an even footing with his teammate, and he has been roundly beaten by Rosberg last year, and this year is a repeat of last year, although a bit closer.
Schumacher's F1 career is done and dusted, and not a moment too soon. I wonder if HRT might offer him a drive next year, though, in place of the incompetent Karthikeyan
Quoting na (Reply 11): That Schumacher, the best F1-driver ever, is being replaced is certainly more newsworthy than the thread title.
Schumacher being the "best ever" is debatable, but that's not the point of this thread. This thread is about Hamilton joining Mercedes. Thus, the thread title is entirely appropriate.
Quoting stealthz (Reply 18): mmm.. not unexpected but I don't see it as the right move for the young superstar.
Indeed it wasn't unexpected, and I also agree that I don't think it's the right move as I can't see Mercedes being competitive. Things change, though.
Hamilton talked about wanting a new challenge - well, he's certainly got one. As he has never driven for anyone bar the front running McLaren team, I wonder how he'll fare next year. I think he's at least as good a driver as Rosberg, if not better, but as Rosberg has more experience with the team, he might get the upper hand in the intra-team battle. It'll be interesting to watch anyway.
Alonso has made it his team by out preforming Massa and, in general, delivering the goods.
I reckon Ferrari is not near as strong talent wise as when MS was winning and Alonso is better then any team-mate MS had during most of this career so i believe he'd find himself as No. 2
GrahamHill From France, joined Mar 2007, 2511 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1380 times:
I think it's only logical. The relationship between McLaren and Hamilton was not at best over the last couple of years (or it seemed to, from the outside - or in my head ). So I was expecting a move. Did I expect it as early as September? Probably not. But I felt it was his last year with McLaren.
Quoting Bill142 (Reply 5): The best thing for Schumacher to do is to retire.
I agree. He's 43. He's race for 20 years. He's won everything that is possible to win. Time to go. He can find a job in a competitive championship, like the WEC or the DTM.
Quoting na (Reply 11): That Schumacher, the best F1-driver ever, is being replaced is certainly more newsworthy than the thread title
Come on, for the Schumi of 2006, yes. Not for the one of 2012.
Quoting Aesma (Reply 16): According to Autosport Mercedes had a contract ready for MSC but he was the one that took his sweet time, so Mercedes not wanting to be without a top driver courted Hamilton.
They'll be better off with Hamilton than Schumacher. I'm not even sure if he was still in the plans of Mercedes for the years to come, to be honest.
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 17): I am remaining positive that he will get a better contract in 2013.
Madame, I really think it's over for him. He has not been competitive enough, apart from a few occasions (like his pole in Monaco or his podium in Valencia).
Quoting stealthz (Reply 18): Lewis, I think you made a big mistake!
Well, if you consider the two teams in terms of performance and results, yes it is. But Mercedes has the capabilities of going on top. So it's a bet on the future.
"A learned fool is more foolish than an ignorant one" - Moliere
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10241 posts, RR: 40 Reply 25, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1389 times:
Michael Schumacher (MSC): Team boss Peter Sauber told the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport in Singapore that he would sign Schumacher "immediately" if he became available.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
zckls04 From United States of America, joined Dec 2011, 776 posts, RR: 3 Reply 27, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1363 times:
Sauber has in its short history been a great team for young drivers to make a name for themselves. I think a lot of young guns would love to be there. Schumi- only if he's desperate to keep driving.
As others have said, this is most likely a big step down for Hamilton, and a big step up (deservedly so, IMO) for Perez. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.
I'm glad that the issue of keeping trophies was resolved by Hamilton switching teams. I'm glad McLaren didn't buckle on that one just for him, as it would be unfair on all the other drivers.
If you're not sure whether to use a piece of punctuation, it's best not to.
Aesma From France, joined Nov 2009, 4775 posts, RR: 9 Reply 29, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1264 times:
Quoting stealthz (Reply 18): Says more about him being in F1 for the money and the celebrity status rather than to be a racer.. or at least a winning racer!
I disagree. F1 drivers have big heads, even those that can't drive. Hamilton is still very much in the race, however racing is only a few hours here and there. If the rest of the time in the team things are not going well, I can understand why he would want to quit. Look at what Alonso did at the same McLaren ! He went back to Renault knowing full well the car would probably not be competitive.
New Technology is the name we give to stuff that doesn't work yet. Douglas Adams
3DoorsDown From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 368 posts, RR: 0 Reply 30, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1258 times:
Hamilton, when he realizes what his car won't do for him is going to become a little whiny piss ant (worse than he is currently) much like Shrub is in NASCAR.
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