Who Will Be F1 Champ 2008?

[rixalex]

About this time last year, i did a poll with Hamilton, Raikkonen and Alonso.

85% of the vote was for Hamilton, which says how much value there is in polls!

Nevertheless, let's not let inaccuracy get in our way. Vote away!

[bravingbangkok]

Look all he needs to do is hold his nerve and he will win. Massa is not going to win both GP's therefore I reckon a win in China and a 4th 3rd 2nd or 1st in Brazil gets him the title.

Having said this if Massa does win it everyone knows that he won it because he had a helping hand. I do not care who you are in racing but if you cant look a image of Senna straight in the eyes and say I won this title single-handedly without any help then you are not a worthy F1 champion !

Come on lewis bring it home son

[bravingbangkok]

He can actually come 5th in the last race if he comes 1st in China and still win it even though Massa wins in Brazil and comes 2nd in China which I doubt he will.

[lazeeboy]

if hamilton stays out of trouble and doesnt bottle it he can do it

[kartman]

I think Hamilton will win making it just as hard as 2nd last year.

[rixalex]

Agree with all the above sentiments.

For me, this year has been very strange. I'd love to see some statistics on it, but i myself can't remember a year when there have been so many penalties given. Whether it has just been down to the Ferrari bias or not is hard to say, but it's surely played a part.

I recall in previous years there being some pretty hard fought battles, with some pretty questionable moves being made, but it was always just put down to being a racing incident. Maybe those drivers, like Prost, Senna and Schumacher, were such big powerful names in the sport that noone dared to go against them.

Who could forget the terrible injustice when Schumacher deliberately veered into Damon Hill to rob him of the Championship, a stunt which he unsuccessfully attempted again with Villeneuve, but in both cases with no repurcusions whatsoever.

Anyway, at the end of the day, Hamilton is in my opinion easily the most naturally gifted, and without question the most exciting driver in Formula One today, and it'll be sad if a remarkably average driver like Massa takes the sports highest prize. With all the assists he's had though (like Bourdais getting penalized for staying on the racing line, to name just the latest) it won't be a great surprise.

(if rumours of Jean Todt taking over Mosley's position are to be believed, perhaps Hamilton should just give up now!)

[bravingbangkok]

They are just scared of his talent because he is not their driver and they know he could go on to rule F1 for a long long long long time and Ferrari do not want to loose their foothold. Good will prevail......Hitler fell eventually didnt he ?

[rixalex]

Just a two-horse race now. Who will it be?

Make it or break it time for Hamilton. If he wins i believe it will be the first of many. If he loses however, it could have a profoundly damaging effect on the rest of his career.

If Massa wins, i think it'll make him the most average driver to have won a championship since perhaps Damon Hill. A sad day for Formula One indeed.

All will be revealed on Sunday - can't wait!

[bravingbangkok]

If they try and do anything the FIA will penalise them, I have been thinking about all this bias behaviour and it is as much because they want the money from the TV than being on Ferrais side. I think it will be a fair race and Hamilton should pull it off.

[dotcom]

I predict Hamilton will win.

[Lickey]

If Massa wins in Brazil, Hamilton must finish at least fifth to be champion

If Massa is second, Hamilton must finish at least seventh

If Massa is third or lower, Hamilton is champion regardless of his result in Brazil

There you go!!

Comeon Lewis!! Good Luck, Lickey..

[russianrobert]

Expect shenanigans from Ferrari.

[H2oDunc]

I would like to see Massa win the Brazillian GP and for Hamilton to take the title. I think that Massa has outdriven Raikkenen this year and deserves his seat in Ferrari next year. This season has to be the most interfered with steward wise that I can remember. I noticed that in the last race Ferrari didnt even try to hide the driver switch even though team orders are supposed to be banned. I think winning the title will only make Hamilton a far better driver and I predict him beating Schuemacers records in time. Hamilton only needs to keep his cool and stay out of trouble and no funny business from Raikkenen or Alonso. Should make for an exciting race tonight I have my seat booked at catcandoo in Bangrak with all you can eat pizza for 99 baht as well. Bargain !!!!

[rixalex]

I noticed that in the last race Ferrari didnt even try to hide the driver switch even though team orders are supposed to be banned.

Perhaps had it been McClaren who performed the switch the stewards would have had something to say about it.

[H2oDunc]

I noticed that in the last race Ferrari didnt even try to hide the driver switch even though team orders are supposed to be banned.

Perhaps had it been McClaren who performed the switch the stewards would have had something to say about it.

You can bet on it for sure. My biggest fear is for them to find some excuse to interfere in the race tonight. Fingers crossed for a good honest race with no shenanigans from either the stewards or drivers. Let the championship be decide on the driving and not the politics.

[bravingbangkok]

Lewis is on a one stop strategy, he could even win it which would make me laugh so hard !

[rixalex]

Lewis is on a one stop strategy, he could even win it which would make me laugh so hard !

I'm not sure they'll take the risk of a one stop, for fear of tyre problems. I do think though they will try and use a different race strategy to the other teams, to try and keep them out of Lewis's way. I would think a two stop is more likely, but at different times to other teams.

[bravingbangkok]

Lewis is on a one stop strategy, he could even win it which would make me laugh so hard !

I'm not sure they'll take the risk of a one stop, for fear of tyre problems. I do think though they will try and use a different race strategy to the other teams, to try and keep them out of Lewis's way. I would think a two stop is more likely, but at different times to other teams.

Well whatever he is on he is fueled f'ing heavy, f'ing f'ing f'ing heavy. He was quicker than Massa in Q2 and then slower than Massa by half a second ????? then everyone treats him like a f'ing hero and all the sports news was that Hamilton messed up and Massa is amazing.....Please. I hate the way everyone is just ignoring the fact that Massa is fueld on fumes and that is why and only why he is pole and ever does get pole. Ferrari and Massa truly are pathetic and they do not deserve to win.

Massa truly is a perfect case of standard driver in a great car, Hamilton is clearly the better driver !

[rixalex]

Lewis is on a one stop strategy, he could even win it which would make me laugh so hard !

I'm not sure they'll take the risk of a one stop, for fear of tyre problems. I do think though they will try and use a different race strategy to the other teams, to try and keep them out of Lewis's way. I would think a two stop is more likely, but at different times to other teams.

Well whatever he is on he is fueled f'ing heavy, f'ing f'ing f'ing heavy. He was quicker than Massa in Q2 and then slower than Massa by half a second ????? then everyone treats him like a f'ing hero and all the sports news was that Hamilton messed up and Massa is amazing.....Please. I hate the way everyone is just ignoring the fact that Massa is fueld on fumes and that is why and only why he is pole and ever does get pole. Ferrari and Massa truly are pathetic and they do not deserve to win.

Massa truly is a perfect case of standard driver in a great car, Hamilton is clearly the better driver !

Yes, i completely agree with all of that. In some ways i think McClaren don't want to be right at the sharp end and trying to defend the lead from lap one to the end. For this race i think their strategy is to try to make the win come to them, without having to push too hard or fight with anyone.

Fingers crossed!

[Samuian]

... Hamilton is clearly the better driver !

U said!

Hope his Tyre/Engine blows in round 69!

[bravingbangkok]

Lewis is on a one stop strategy, he could even win it which would make me laugh so hard !

I'm not sure they'll take the risk of a one stop, for fear of tyre problems. I do think though they will try and use a different race strategy to the other teams, to try and keep them out of Lewis's way. I would think a two stop is more likely, but at different times to other teams.

Well whatever he is on he is fueled f'ing heavy, f'ing f'ing f'ing heavy. He was quicker than Massa in Q2 and then slower than Massa by half a second ????? then everyone treats him like a f'ing hero and all the sports news was that Hamilton messed up and Massa is amazing.....Please. I hate the way everyone is just ignoring the fact that Massa is fueld on fumes and that is why and only why he is pole and ever does get pole. Ferrari and Massa truly are pathetic and they do not deserve to win.

Massa truly is a perfect case of standard driver in a great car, Hamilton is clearly the better driver !

Yes, i completely agree with all of that. In some ways i think McClaren don't want to be right at the sharp end and trying to defend the lead from lap one to the end. For this race i think their strategy is to try to make the win come to them, without having to push too hard or fight with anyone.

Fingers crossed!

I am gettign out the super glue for this one, fingers will be well and truly crossed !

[dotcom]

"Slathering" Slater has no clue who Nicole Scherzinger is. LOL.

[dotcom]

Man that was bizarre how Timo Glock pulled off in the final 500 meters.

Well done to Lewis. It could not have been cut any finer.

A championship is not won in 1 or 3 or 5 races but over the course of a season.

Very important to bring the car home every race.

Lewis scored a very impressive list of poles & victories & podiums.

It's a long season & stamina pays off.

What a delightful celebratory shag Lewis & Nicole will have back at the hotel.

That is quality poontang.

So well done young man & many more to come hopefully. !!!!!!! Today you are the man!!!!!!!!!!

[jackr]

Well done, Lewis, a worthy champ and somewhat fitting to do it by a point after losing by a point last year.

[Mosha]

I noticed that in the last race Ferrari didnt even try to hide the driver switch even though team orders are supposed to be banned.

Perhaps had it been McClaren who performed the switch the stewards would have had something to say about it.

That apparently was just a teammate helping the driver with the best chance of winning the title. Well that was their excuse anyway.

[dominique355]

Don't forget, Formula 1 is (also) a team sport. There is even a "Constructor's " Championship where the team collects points. I know, Mad Max wants to abolish this, but so far it still exists and some teams even think it is the more important part of Formula 1 (Sir Frank e.g.)

Nevertheless, explicit team orders are illegal, but letting pass a faster team mate is perfectly OK.

[JetsetBkk]

"Slathering" Slater has no clue who Nicole Scherzinger is. LOL.

I guess we can add that to his "no clue" list, just after "we're back racing again, oh no, that was a replay, the safety car is still out..."

Here's Nicole just getting ready for Lewis...

And this is why it's so important to be a Formula 1 racing driver!

[Old Croc]

Mark Webber seriously injured in cycling accident

Sat Nov 22 2008

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has been seriously injured following a collision with a four-wheel drive while cycling in Tasmania.

Webber, 32, was competing in his own Mark Webber Challenge – a 250km multisport event held annually to raise money for charity.

Webber was cycling along Fortesque Bay Road, near Port Arthur when he collided with a Nissan X-Trail, according to Tasmanian Police.

"As a result of the collision, the rider, Mark Webber, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries," Sergeant Jon Ford told wire agenices.

"He was attended at the scene by paramedics attached to the event before being airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital."

The male driver of the vehicle escaped injury.

It is understood Webber, who has been driving in Formula One since 2002, has suffered a broken leg.

Mark Webber Challenge spokesperson Nancy Cook says Webber is disappointed his race has been ended by an accident.

"Mark's been involved in a minor accident, he's fine, he's being treated, he's really disappointed that he's not going to be able to continue but he's well and being looked after," she said.

In May this year, Webber was cycling with friend, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and AMD marketing boss Morris Denton when Denton collided head-on with a vehicle in Monaco.

The Red Bull Racing driver has also been a strong advocate of road safety for cyclists, working as a patron for the Amy Gillett Foundation. Gillett, a member of the Australian road cycling team, was on a training ride in Germany when she was killed by a motorist.

Webber was competing on the penultimate day of the five-day charity event, which includes kayaking, cycling, white-water rafting, trekking and abseiling.

[rixalex]

^^ Wish him a speedy recovery.

[Old Croc]

Apparently Webber's main injury is a badly broken leg. Doctors have inserted rods to mend the breaks in his lower right tibia and fibula.

He expects to make a recovery in time for the start of the next F1 season, although he will miss much of the pre season testing.