The Fanboy Yin Yang Thread

[Dyanxx]

I want to see Mclaren come back strong and dominate every single race from here, with Perez becoming world champion, and Button to look like a mug.

And Mclaren will be like... "see we were right all along"

I'm sure Mclaren will be able to catch up to the top teams, but WDC this year? no chance.

[Anon123]

Interesting that Mercedes will be splitting their resources 50/50 from may.
Incredible given their competitiveness in 2013.
The prize is 2014. Risky business, especially given Hamiltons performances this year which are reminiscent of raikkonens last year. Consistent.

The question is if we are going to see another awful second half of the season in 2013 as it happened in 2012. I dont think Lewis and Nico are happy with this perspective.

The only hope is to have a great and very useful new package in Barcelona, a one which solves the tyre problems and then resist the rest of the season with some tiny updates. [-o<

Everyone else will do this anyway and if they don't then Mercedes will spank everyone in 2014 providing they have a decent power unit of course.

[Jonnycraig]

I read the perfect analogy for 2013 F1 and will shamelessly steal it:

"Watching Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton & Raikonnen in 2013 is like watching Bolt, Blake, Gay & Gatlin in an egg-and-spoon race"

[Juzh]

I must say probably only Mercedes (traction), unless RB have made a considerable step forward in one lap pace.

Melbourne:
Vettel: 1:27:4
Hamilton: 1:28:0

Malaysia:
Vettel: 1:49.6
Hamilton: 1.51.6

Red Bull have plenty of one lap pace in hand, they have been setting up since China with both eyes on the race.

Both of the quali sessions you quote happened in mixed conditions and the times are a good way off the ultimate pace. Furthermore, the cars have all evolved since then. I've seen no evidence that the RB9 is currently a quicker qualifier than the W04.

So you are confirming vettel is the best driver in mixed and wet conditions, given how he outqualified everyone with ease on those days.

[nhojekim]

So you are confirming vettel is the best driver in mixed and wet conditions, given how he outqualified everyone with ease on those days.

so you are telling me you are a vettel fanboy with your comment. He is nowhere near as the best driver in mixed and wet conditions.

[Neno]

Vettel is best in mixed qualy conditions, for three reason: first he is one of best drivers in f1, second his car is always setup with shorter gears, third he drives one of/or most fastest car in one lap performances. So when you have car who can in one lap heat up tires without problems (specialy when mixed conditions are) as his setup is always more "pole position with running away in first three laps" (which help greatly when mixed conditions are, as in those conditions drivers shift earlier gears) and his brilliance as one of best drivers you get that result.

[SilverArrow10]

Vettel is the best in qualifying mode period. Its astonishing that he hasn't won in Monaco yet, hold on yes he has nevermind. The only other person that comes close to beating Vettel on a Saturday is Hamilton. Who has just been beaten to pole 2 times in a row. Either Rosberg is better than both and just had bad cars or Hamilton just had two bad races. Take your pick.

[Overdriving]

Yes, Vettel is clearly is one of the best--maybe even the very best--driver in qualifying, but I think Merc are much faster than RB in Q, so I don't expect Vettel on pole unless Lewis and Nico make mistakes. I expect Nico on pole.

[Pierce89]

Melbourne:
Vettel: 1:27:4
Hamilton: 1:28:0

Malaysia:
Vettel: 1:49.6
Hamilton: 1.51.6

Red Bull have plenty of one lap pace in hand, they have been setting up since China with both eyes on the race.

Both of the quali sessions you quote happened in mixed conditions and the times are a good way off the ultimate pace. Furthermore, the cars have all evolved since then. I've seen no evidence that the RB9 is currently a quicker qualifier than the W04.

So you are confirming vettel is the best driver in mixed and wet conditions, given how he outqualified everyone with ease on those days.

Are you just trying to be an annoying prick? A car that overheats its tires in the dry will be better at generating tire temp in cool mixed conditions. As of yet, neither Red Bull nor Vettel have shown 2013 supremacy.

[SilverArrow10]

Considering Nico and Lewis are both brilliant around here (apparently) I can't really pick between the two. I might pluck for Lewis considering he's had a couple of bad races and will be super aggressive during quail.

I agree, I think Lewis has a point to prove with Nico beating him to pole two times. He will be a tough to beat but Nico is no slouch either. I think its a given one of them will be on pole. They could even win this race if one of the drivers were sacrificed by holding the pack up and letting the other one go off into the distance. I think Brawn would at least consider that with all the tricks he's pulled with Ferrari before.

[fiohaa]

i think Hamilton's getting too old, he should call it an end to his career - after all he got comprehensively beaten by Rosberg in Spain and dropped out the points.
hes clearly past it.

[Chuckjr]

Hamilton has repeatedly stated in past interviews he has zero time falling back in the race after a good quali. I'm guessing he will quali well here, but frustration may get the better of him and an accident will likely result should that happen. Can't blame the guy for trying, but as tight as Monaco is, there's bound to be an accident if this turns into a Merc train fest...nice seeing Rosburg showing strong form in quali of late. I can't remember a team mate since Alonso that consistently challenged Ham--would like that trend to continue this season for the sake of entertaining Saturdays. Great to see the competition between the Merc team mates lately regardless.

[raymondu999]

...nice seeing Rosburg showing strong form in quali of late. I can't remember a team mate since Alonso that consistently challenged Ham

Wouldn't Rosberg have an advantage since he is much more familiar with the car? Or would Hamilton already be used to it's characteristics?

Massa equalled the record for longest teammate out qualifying for Alonso. (4 times)

Does anyone know what's the longest streak for Hamilton or Rosberg?

[beelsebob]

...nice seeing Rosburg showing strong form in quali of late. I can't remember a team mate since Alonso that consistently challenged Ham

Wouldn't Rosberg have an advantage since he is much more familiar with the car? Or would Hamilton already be used to it's characteristics?

Massa equalled the record for longest teammate out qualifying for Alonso. (4 times)

Does anyone know what's the longest streak for Hamilton or Rosberg?

Against hamilton it's 3 – both Button and Alonso did it once. Dunno against rosberg.

[beelsebob]

I can see Rosberg beating Hamilton to pole here to be honest. Hamilton loves the circuit, but has never really gone particularly well here.

At Canada though, I'd expect Hamilton to blow Rosberg out of the water.