Rantbox

[Pamphlet]

Kobayashi is going to win Monaco. That is all.

Considering the situation of F1 at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if Massa won.

I think the only feasible conclusion we can drawn at the moment is that McLaren will find a way of stuffing up everything again.

With some luck, we'll only get to hear Button complain about his "mysterious" lack of pace this week.

[DanielPT]

Kobayashi is going to win Monaco. That is all.

Considering the situation of F1 at the moment I wouldn't be surprised if Massa won.

I think the only feasible conclusion we can drawn at the moment is that McLaren will find a way of stuffing up everything again.

I sure hope so, because, contrary to the beliefs of many, that is the only thing preventing Hamilton from running away with the title.

[Pamphlet]

I sure hope so, because, contrary to the beliefs of many, that is the only thing preventing Hamilton from running away with the title.

I still firmly believe that McLaren have the best car. This, by all means, should still be Hamilton's year.

I don't think it's "contrary to the beliefs of many", though. Brits form the largest F1 fanbase, and you know they're all over Macca's collective dodongos.

[DanielPT]

I sure hope so, because, contrary to the beliefs of many, that is the only thing preventing Hamilton from running away with the title.

I still firmly believe that McLaren have the best car. This, by all means, should still be Hamilton's year.

I don't think it's "contrary to the beliefs of many", though. Brits form the largest F1 fanbase, and you know they're all over Macca's collective dodongos.

Yes, but some of them also jump on the "let's crush Hamilton while he is down" bandwagon. I mean, they tend to play down their best athletes/drivers for their failings as much as they play up some average athletes/drivers they have.

[Pamphlet]

I sure hope so, because, contrary to the beliefs of many, that is the only thing preventing Hamilton from running away with the title.

I still firmly believe that McLaren have the best car. This, by all means, should still be Hamilton's year.

I don't think it's "contrary to the beliefs of many", though. Brits form the largest F1 fanbase, and you know they're all over Macca's collective dodongos.

Yes, but some of them also jump on the "let's crush Hamilton while he is down" bandwagon. I mean, they tend to play down their best athletes/drivers for their failings as much as they play up some average athletes/drivers they have.

100% agreed.



However, there is another thing. Sure, Hamilton looks extremely strong at the moment. Sure, McLaren have the best car.

...but then that was also the case in 2007. Say what you want about Hamilton being unlucky and Alonso being much luckier than him (with which I fully agree, mind you), but Raikkonen was the one who lost out the most.

...and it was also the case in 2008. McLaren, once again, had the best car (and again, by a small margin, but that's balanced out by the Ferrari's worse reliability), and the best driver. Hamilton had just had an amazing rookie season, and surely, with Alonso having departed from McLaren, he should've only had to contend with a surprisingly unmotivated and weakened Raikkonen.


...we all know how that went down, and just about everyone bar the most ardent Hamilton fans believe that he didn't deserve the title.

Long story short, anything can happen. No, we can't say for sure if Macca won't throw the title again. No, we can't say for sure if Hamilton's even the strongest or unluckiest driver on the grid. He should be up there, that's absolutely true, but it's not enough for him to run away with it.

[DanielPT]

I still firmly believe that McLaren have the best car. This, by all means, should still be Hamilton's year.

I don't think it's "contrary to the beliefs of many", though. Brits form the largest F1 fanbase, and you know they're all over Macca's collective dodongos.

Yes, but some of them also jump on the "let's crush Hamilton while he is down" bandwagon. I mean, they tend to play down their best athletes/drivers for their failings as much as they play up some average athletes/drivers they have.

100% agreed.



However, there is another thing. Sure, Hamilton looks extremely strong at the moment. Sure, McLaren have the best car.

...but then that was also the case in 2007. Say what you want about Hamilton being unlucky and Alonso being much luckier than him (with which I fully agree, mind you), but Raikkonen was the one who lost out the most.

...and it was also the case in 2008. McLaren, once again, had the best car (and again, by a small margin, but that's balanced out by the Ferrari's worse reliability), and the best driver. Hamilton had just had an amazing rookie season, and surely, with Alonso having departed from McLaren, he should've only had to contend with a surprisingly unmotivated and weakened Raikkonen.


...we all know how that went down, and just about everyone bar the most ardent Hamilton fans believe that he didn't deserve the title.

While I can agree that this is Hamilton's year and that most people think that way, I can't agree that he didn't deserve the title in 2008. Sure it was heartbreaking for Felipe, but in the end it was Lewis who won it fair and square. Perhaps even with some decisions against him. So yes, it was deserved. I also don't think McLaren had the best car in 2008. I mean, Heikki Kovalainen had an horrendous year, but surely he can't be that bad, can he? We know Hamilton can overcome it's car performance in occasions so that must have been it, right? (Ferrari being on par with Hamilton and not McLaren)

[Pamphlet]

While I can agree that this is Hamilton's year and that most people think that way, I can't agree that he didn't deserve the title in 2008. Sure it was heartbreaking for Felipe, but in the end it was Lewis who won it fair and square. Perhaps even with some decisions against him. So yes, it was deserved. I also don't think McLaren had the best car in 2008. I mean, Heikki Kovalainen had an horrendous year, but surely he can't be that bad, can he? We know Hamilton can overcome it's car performance in occasions so that must have been it, right? (Ferrari being on par with Hamilton and not McLaren)

Respectfully disagree once again. Heikki was genuinely horrendous that year, but that doesn't mean that they didn't have the best car. You can easily have the best car and still drop off the map - Webber proved that last year, as did Hill in 1995.

I'd also make a case for how luck does exist in F1 and that Lewis genuinely didn't deserve it that year (much like Schuey in 2003, to make a comparison), but it's too long to type up while at work.

[DemocalypseNow]

Yes, but some of them also jump on the "let's crush Hamilton while he is down" bandwagon. I mean, they tend to play down their best athletes/drivers for their failings as much as they play up some average athletes/drivers they have.

Brits are extremely fickle, it annoys me no end. They all loved Button when he was no good, and by the time he had come of age everyone had forgotten about him in favour of Hamilton. They lack the passion of the Italians, they like bandwagon jumping whereas the Tifosi tend to stay loyal. Look at Alesi for example, he is loved by Ferrari fans, almost an honourary Italian citizen. I doubt any foreign driver racing for McLaren now would receive the same attitude from McLaren 'fans'. There was no Hakkmania that I can remember of in the UK, people respected him but they didn't love him. Alesi won almost nothing for Ferrari yet their fans still hold him in the highest possible regard.

Some people might construe this as casual racism (which it is not, merely an observation), but just in general it seems as if the more densely populated south of England lack passion. Maybe the Conservative Party have outlawed the word 'exuberance' in any area which they have power or something, I don't know. Anyway, that is the most densely populated part of the UK, so they will basically set the tone of how the country is perceived by those abroad. Which is unfortunate, really.

[mario]

However, there is another thing. Sure, Hamilton looks extremely strong at the moment. Sure, McLaren have the best car.

...but then that was also the case in 2007. Say what you want about Hamilton being unlucky and Alonso being much luckier than him (with which I fully agree, mind you), but Raikkonen was the one who lost out the most.

...and it was also the case in 2008. McLaren, once again, had the best car (and again, by a small margin, but that's balanced out by the Ferrari's worse reliability), and the best driver. Hamilton had just had an amazing rookie season, and surely, with Alonso having departed from McLaren, he should've only had to contend with a surprisingly unmotivated and weakened Raikkonen.


...we all know how that went down, and just about everyone bar the most ardent Hamilton fans believe that he didn't deserve the title.

For 2008, it's debatable whether McLaren did have the technically superior car (from what I have seen, the consensus seems to be that the F2008 was technically slightly superior to the MP4/23 but had a narrower set up window, making it slightly harder to optimise the performance of that car). Mind you, that is an entirely different discussion compared to events today...

As for this year, I'm not entirely sure that McLaren really do have the outright fastest car over a full race distance - the car is probably the quickest over a single lap, but in race trim McLaren's pace hasn't always been quite as strong. At the very least, it does look like the current car is quick but fairly sensitive to fluctuations in conditions, whereas some of their rivals - in particular Lotus and their E20 - seem to have a much wider operating window (most of the reports about the E20 have indicated that the car is easier to set up than most of its rivals, with the balance of the car being very consistent across a wide range of track conditions and fuel loads).

[DanielPT]

While I can agree that this is Hamilton's year and that most people think that way, I can't agree that he didn't deserve the title in 2008. Sure it was heartbreaking for Felipe, but in the end it was Lewis who won it fair and square. Perhaps even with some decisions against him. So yes, it was deserved. I also don't think McLaren had the best car in 2008. I mean, Heikki Kovalainen had an horrendous year, but surely he can't be that bad, can he? We know Hamilton can overcome it's car performance in occasions so that must have been it, right? (Ferrari being on par with Hamilton and not McLaren)

Respectfully disagree once again. Heikki was genuinely horrendous that year, but that doesn't mean that they didn't have the best car. You can easily have the best car and still drop off the map - Webber proved that last year, as did Hill in 1995.

I'd also make a case for how luck does exist in F1 and that Lewis genuinely didn't deserve it that year (much like Schuey in 2003, to make a comparison), but it's too long to type up while at work.

I with you on that one. Luck does exist. But it is a bit hard to have luck in a whole season of 18 races. You have to be fast, reliable and win a few races for good measure. In the end Massa 3 retirements against one of Hamilton cost him the title, but that is what racing is all about, no? And I wouldn't say Webber dropped off the map. He still finished third in a bad season for him which is considerably better than Heikki who was 7th. Hill on the other hand, was still second in what was arguably a better car. I think, though, that Hamilton is much faster than Hill.

[Londoner]

Yes, but some of them also jump on the "let's crush Hamilton while he is down" bandwagon. I mean, they tend to play down their best athletes/drivers for their failings as much as they play up some average athletes/drivers they have.

Brits are extremely fickle, it annoys me no end. They all loved Button when he was no good, and by the time he had come of age everyone had forgotten about him in favour of Hamilton. They lack the passion of the Italians, they like bandwagon jumping whereas the Tifosi tend to stay loyal. Look at Alesi for example, he is loved by Ferrari fans, almost an honourary Italian citizen. I doubt any foreign driver racing for McLaren now would receive the same attitude from McLaren 'fans'. There was no Hakkmania that I can remember of in the UK, people respected him but they didn't love him. Alesi won almost nothing for Ferrari yet their fans still hold him in the highest possible regard.

Some people might construe this as casual racism (which it is not, merely an observation), but just in general it seems as if the more densely populated south of England lack passion. Maybe the Conservative Party have outlawed the word 'exuberance' in any area which they have power or something, I don't know. Anyway, that is the most densely populated part of the UK, so they will basically set the tone of how the country is perceived by those abroad. Which is unfortunate, really.

I feel like I'm in a very small minority, as I continued to support Button during 2007/2008, even as pretty much the rest of my family and friends had succumbed to Lewisteria. I never bought into that bullshite, and I grew to dislike Hamilton as the 2007 season carried on.

[Pamphlet]

I with you on that one. Luck does exist. But it is a bit hard to have luck in a whole season of 18 races. You have to be fast, reliable and win a few races for good measure.

This is probably what won Vettel the title in 2010, despite having his car fail on him 6 times, at least twice while in the lead in the closing stages, both times with Alonso taking direct advantage of that.

In the end Massa 3 retirements against one of Hamilton cost him the title, but that is what racing is all about, no?

This is what life is about, not just racing. Things aren't always going to be fair.

And I wouldn't say Webber dropped off the map. He still finished third in a bad season for him which is considerably better than Heikki who was 7th.

Hm. I was going to cite team orders as a reason for him finishing third and not fourth, but then I'd get lambasted for forgetting about China 2008 (where, admittedly, there were no team orders but Kimi DID voluntarily move over for Felipe).

I think, though, that Hamilton is much faster than Hill.

I'd be surprised if there was a person who didn't think that.



By all means, while I don't believe Hammy deserved 2008, I still put him on an entirely different level compared to, say, Kubica, Vettel, Alonso and especially Raikkonen that year. It's pretty much impossible to say that there was anyone on the grid who was as strong as those two were. If anything, there is some consolation in the fact that Lewis didn't deserve to lose the championship by one point (or less) two years in a row.

[TomWazzleshaw]

By all means, while I don't believe Hammy deserved 2008, I still put him on an entirely different level compared to, say, Kubica, Vettel, Alonso and especially Raikkonen that year.

Kubica was, for the most part, on the level of Hamilton and Massa in 2008 except for BMW considering their season 'mission accomplished' pretty much after Canada

[Pamphlet]

Look at Alesi for example, he is loved by Ferrari fans, almost an honourary Italian citizen. I doubt any foreign driver racing for McLaren now would receive the same attitude from McLaren 'fans'. There was no Hakkmania that I can remember of in the UK, people respected him but they didn't love him. Alesi won almost nothing for Ferrari yet their fans still hold him in the highest possible regard.

While I do agree with the rest of your post, isn't Alesi technically of Italian origin?

[Pamphlet]

By all means, while I don't believe Hammy deserved 2008, I still put him on an entirely different level compared to, say, Kubica, Vettel, Alonso and especially Raikkonen that year.

Kubica was, for the most part, on the level of Hamilton and Massa in 2008 except for BMW considering their season 'mission accomplished' pretty much after Canada

Hence why I put him third. I do believe that he, not just the team itself, started to drop off a little after his win.

[DemocalypseNow]

Look at Alesi for example, he is loved by Ferrari fans, almost an honourary Italian citizen. I doubt any foreign driver racing for McLaren now would receive the same attitude from McLaren 'fans'. There was no Hakkmania that I can remember of in the UK, people respected him but they didn't love him. Alesi won almost nothing for Ferrari yet their fans still hold him in the highest possible regard.

While I do agree with the rest of your post, isn't Alesi technically of Italian origin?

Fair point, but that actually ran a risk of making him alienated rather than loved by the northern-based Tifosi - the north/south divide in Italy has never really disappeared, Alesi was born of Sicilian parents while Ferrari is well and truly planted up north.

But to me it seems the real reason the Tifosi loved him had nothing to do with nationality - you could see he loved the team, he gave 110% for Ferrari all the time, he was proud to drive for the team. That rises above origin or nationality or anything else.

[AndreaModa]

Some people might construe this as casual racism (which it is not, merely an observation), but just in general it seems as if the more densely populated south of England lack passion. Maybe the Conservative Party have outlawed the word 'exuberance' in any area which they have power or something, I don't know. Anyway, that is the most densely populated part of the UK, so they will basically set the tone of how the country is perceived by those abroad. Which is unfortunate, really.

Kostas, that's absolute bollocks and you know it. I appreciate that yes the country is judged on what happens in the south, everything is concentrated there, and most people live there. But to say they lack passion is a bit much. You've only got to look at some of the most fervent fans in football at teams like Portsmouth, Millwall and West Ham for evidence of that. What's to blame mostly is the press for hyping things up. The average person who knows little about F1 will get most of their information from either the papers or the TV, and that's hardly painting F1 in a good light most of the time. Best to leave the politics out of it maybe

[FullMetalJack]

Best to leave the politics out of it maybe

BINGO! Somebody buy this man a beer.

[AdrianSutil]

Best to leave the politics out of it maybe

BINGO! Somebody buy this man a beer.

Agreed. Politics need no comment.

The media are 99% of the time at fault for either 'hyping' or 'dumbing down' a British athlete. It's getting ridiculous. Just look at all the 'this tournament will be ours' hype around England every two/four years. Pathetic.

[pasta_maldonado]

The mosta annoying thing about Lewisteria was that for the duration of the 2007/2008 season, ITV had to, without fail, talk to Lewis Hamilton or his dad. Just like the BBC with Di Resta last year. "Di Resta comes 13th" "Now, let's talk to Paul Di Resta" "Im standing by pole position, and I want to go and talk to Paul Di Resta, in 14th".

[Londoner]

The mosta annoying thing about Lewisteria was that for the duration of the 2007/2008 season, ITV had to, without fail, talk to Lewis Hamilton or his dad. Just like the BBC with Di Resta last year. "Di Resta comes 13th" "Now, let's talk to Paul Di Resta" "Im standing by pole position, and I want to go and talk to Paul Di Resta, in 14th".

I didn't buy into the sob stories that ITV and the British media ran all that year about Hamilton's apparent 'struggle' to reach F1. Bloody Lewisteria.

The hype machine went into overdrive after Hamilton's 'victory' in Fuji in 2007, with him only needing to finish ahead of Alonso in China to clinch the title. Not wanting to watch what I thought was the inevitable, I didn't bother getting up to watch all the race. I turned it on with about 10 laps to go, fully expecting Hamilton to be in the lead. And then the retirement list came up, and I punched the air in joy, and did so again when I saw that Button had dragged that shitbox Honda into 5th.

[DanielPT]

The mosta annoying thing about Lewisteria was that for the duration of the 2007/2008 season, ITV had to, without fail, talk to Lewis Hamilton or his dad. Just like the BBC with Di Resta last year. "Di Resta comes 13th" "Now, let's talk to Paul Di Resta" "Im standing by pole position, and I want to go and talk to Paul Di Resta, in 14th".

I didn't buy into the sob stories that ITV and the British media ran all that year about Hamilton's apparent 'struggle' to reach F1. Bloody Lewisteria.

The hype machine went into overdrive after Hamilton's 'victory' in Fuji in 2007, with him only needing to finish ahead of Alonso in China to clinch the title. Not wanting to watch what I thought was the inevitable, I didn't bother getting up to watch all the race. I turned it on with about 10 laps to go, fully expecting Hamilton to be in the lead. And then the retirement list came up, and I punched the air in joy, and did so again when I saw that Button had dragged that shitbox Honda into 5th.

I have to say that the lad is a great, fantastic, driver with plenty of talent. But Lewisteria ruined it for me. I wish I didn't read/watched any British media (which I still do) at the time... Now, I cannot see him doing well with fear of getting sick because of obnoxious coverage of the sport. I always hope that feeling goes away, but then Hamilton wins a race or worse, loses a race because something beyond his control, and then comes Lewisteria fans flooding F1 forums and news media with conspiracy theories or bad mouthing others and going into flame wars with the world that makes it all unbearable. The worst is that the media jump on that bandwagon too, in displays of everything except journalism.

[Ferrim]

Look at Alesi for example, he is loved by Ferrari fans, almost an honourary Italian citizen. I doubt any foreign driver racing for McLaren now would receive the same attitude from McLaren 'fans'. There was no Hakkmania that I can remember of in the UK, people respected him but they didn't love him. Alesi won almost nothing for Ferrari yet their fans still hold him in the highest possible regard.

While I do agree with the rest of your post, isn't Alesi technically of Italian origin?

Fair point, but that actually ran a risk of making him alienated rather than loved by the northern-based Tifosi - the north/south divide in Italy has never really disappeared, Alesi was born of Sicilian parents while Ferrari is well and truly planted up north.

But to me it seems the real reason the Tifosi loved him had nothing to do with nationality - you could see he loved the team, he gave 110% for Ferrari all the time, he was proud to drive for the team. That rises above origin or nationality or anything else.

It was also a very tough time to be a Ferrari tifoso - Ferrari won nothing between '91 and '93. Already in '91 Alesi lost a sure win at Belgium, and in 1992 he basically was the only Ferrari driver. He used to put in very good performances at Monza, starting 3rd in 1992 and 1993 when Ferrari was the 4th best car, and then losing another likely win from pole in 1994. Therefore Alesi was the driver who brought the tifosi those few good moments of joy, and combined with his exciting way of driving and his passion it seems logical that he was so loved.

[dinizintheoven]

The mosta annoying thing about Lewisteria was that for the duration of the 2007/2008 season, ITV had to, without fail, talk to Lewis Hamilton or his dad. Just like the BBC with Di Resta last year. "Di Resta comes 13th" "Now, let's talk to Paul Di Resta" "Im standing by pole position, and I want to go and talk to Paul Di Resta, in 14th".

To rehash a common F1 Rejects saying, I am slightly bored by Paul di Resta. It's not that it's because there had to be an interview with him before and after every race come what may, but he's one of the least interesting interviewees I've ever come across - he has a dreary, monotone voice, as if he was Scotland's answer to Nigel Mansell - but then, Nige was notorious for his moaning about everything it was possible to moan about, and PdR says all the right things at all the right times. He needs to be a bit more "och aye, I'll chib ye the noo!" when things don't go his way - though not quite as far as Adrian "Begbie" Sutil went...

[AndreaModa]

The mosta annoying thing about Lewisteria was that for the duration of the 2007/2008 season, ITV had to, without fail, talk to Lewis Hamilton or his dad. Just like the BBC with Di Resta last year. "Di Resta comes 13th" "Now, let's talk to Paul Di Resta" "Im standing by pole position, and I want to go and talk to Paul Di Resta, in 14th".

To rehash a common F1 Rejects saying, I am slightly bored by Paul di Resta. It's not that it's because there had to be an interview with him before and after every race come what may, but he's one of the least interesting interviewees I've ever come across - he has a dreary, monotone voice, as if he was Scotland's answer to Nigel Mansell - but then, Nige was notorious for his moaning about everything it was possible to moan about, and PdR says all the right things at all the right times.

I completely agree with this. He's so dull! Give me any interview but one with him any day!

He needs to be a bit more "och aye, I'll chib ye the noo!" when things don't go his way - though not quite as far as Adrian "Begbie" Sutil went...

Hahaha that's brilliant! This is going to be my new name for Sutil!

[TomWazzleshaw]

Best to leave the politics out of it maybe

Bernie, Jean and co think otherwise

[Londoner]

Best to leave the politics out of it maybe

Bernie, Jean and co think otherwise

Gotta love the F1 Slate.

[Klon]

Holy HWNSNBM, watch your language Timo Scheider - this is afternoon TV!

[CoopsII]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17466236

THIS is what annoys me about Monaco, theres F1 cars going past and these friggers arent even paying attention!

[Aerospeed]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17466236

THIS is what annoys me about Monaco, theres F1 cars going past and these friggers arent even paying attention!

I've got to admit, that is stupid and silly...

[dr-baker]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17466236

THIS is what annoys me about Monaco, theres F1 cars going past and these friggers arent even paying attention!

I've got to admit, that is stupid and silly...

And so many wearing earplugs - I didn't when I was at Monza last year, nor to any of my visits to Brands Hatch or Silverstone...

[Klon]

And so many wearing earplugs - I didn't when I was at Monza last year, nor to any of my visits to Brands Hatch or Silverstone...

Not wearing earplugs at that position is pretty much just asking for hearing damage. Never let being a "true X" (in this case racing fan, but it counts for other things as well) go over common sense, otherwise one is not a "true racing fan" but just a moron.

[Peter]

And so many wearing earplugs - I didn't when I was at Monza last year, nor to any of my visits to Brands Hatch or Silverstone...

Not wearing earplugs at that position is pretty much just asking for hearing damage. Never let being a "true X" (in this case racing fan, but it counts for other things as well) go over common sense, otherwise one is not a "true racing fan" but just a moron.

That, and the sound of the F1 cars would be a lot louder in a City environment, with lots of buildings for the sound to bounce off of, than in the middle of a forest in Milan.

[dr-baker]

And so many wearing earplugs - I didn't when I was at Monza last year, nor to any of my visits to Brands Hatch or Silverstone...

Not wearing earplugs at that position is pretty much just asking for hearing damage. Never let being a "true X" (in this case racing fan, but it counts for other things as well) go over common sense, otherwise one is not a "true racing fan" but just a moron.

That, and the sound of the F1 cars would be a lot louder in a City environment, with lots of buildings for the sound to bounce off of, than in the middle of a forest in Milan.

Fair enough. After all, I need to be careful as my mum has always had a deafness in one ear and my dad is now wearing hearing aids in both ears before turning 60...

[FMecha]

Personally, I don't get the hate with Lewisteria - why people around here is hating it?

[AdrianSutil]

Personally, I don't get the hate with Lewisteria - why people around here is hating it?

Because the british media always 'big up' British sportman. Look at all the stories about the England football squad, the Cricken team etc when they're doing well. We hadn't had a British World Champion since 1996 and a British GP winner since DC in 2002(03?) so when Hamilton came along, it all went into overdrive.
You couldn't watch the BBC during F1 weekend without some interview with Lewis, his Dad, any family member etc and it got ridiculous. The British media ALWAYS go into overdrive. And I hate it. I won't even buy a paper anymore because of it.

[CoopsII]

We hadn't had a British World Champion since 1996 and a British GP winner since DC in 2002(03?) so when Hamilton came along, it all went into overdrive.

<cough> Button in 2006 <cough>

[TomWazzleshaw]

We hadn't had a British World Champion since 1996 and a British GP winner since DC in 2002(03?) so when Hamilton came along, it all went into overdrive.

<cough> Button in 2006 <cough>

But I assume even most Brits would see it for the fluke that it really was.

[CoopsII]

We hadn't had a British World Champion since 1996 and a British GP winner since DC in 2002(03?) so when Hamilton came along, it all went into overdrive.

<cough> Button in 2006 <cough>

But I assume even most Brits would see it for the fluke that it really was.

Oh aye, its not like he'd ever win a WDC or anything . If you think back Button and BAR/Honda had made steady progress up to that win and had been Best Of The Rest at most races. The Hungaroring helped (as it did with Hills near-win in 1997) but Button overtook a fair few cars to get to the front(including Alonso I think).

[TomWazzleshaw]

But I assume even most Brits would see it for the fluke that it really was.

Oh aye, its not like he'd ever win a WDC or anything . If you think back Button and BAR/Honda had made steady progress up to that win and had been Best Of The Rest at most races. The Hungaroring helped (as it did with Hills near-win in 1997) but Button overtook a fair few cars to get to the front(including Alonso I think).

Nah. Alonso had everyone beat that day. That is, if the Renault mechanics could actually stick four wheels on his wagon at the final stop.