FB said:
I've watched this thread with interest as it started to go like some of the discussion in another place
Clarify?
FB said:
In my opinion this makes Hamilton the better driver as he has more options on the track.
I don't think it's about who's the best driver (
), more about team dynamics and it could have developed nicely once C_a_T defined the point about this being the only sport in which your team mate is also your primary competitor.
FB said:
I've never been able to work out what the so called "smooth style" Button is supposed to have relates to. If he brakes earlier he goes slower, if he accelerates more gentle he goes slower...
He doesn't brake earlier as such. I think he brakes more progressively and steers into and out of a corner more progressively. He flows into and out of a turn and maintains speed rather than recovers it. My (possibly mistaken) understanding is that this is a textbook way to drive and if I cite Prost and Damon Hill I'm sure there others here more knowledgeable than me who can reference other drivers.
FB said:
Button was anything but smooth in Brazil last year.
It not that Button can't adapt or "hang it out" in his own way but I don't think he has as many strings to his bow as the likes of Hamilton and (to return to topic) this is where he needs to develop if he's going to beat Hamilton, in my opinion anyway. I don't think the silky smooth style is going to come out on top more often than Hamilton's aggressive style.
Boyle99 said:
The Mclaren's back end snaps out more than most other cars on the grid and Hamilton loves a car that does that.
Is this still the case in 2010 with McLaren saying they'd built a neutral car, narrower front tyres and longer wheelbase? I guess you're right because I haven't heard of complaints from within McLaren about either understeer or oversteer so it would appear that the McLaren design philosophy remains. Again, I would think this is another area in which Button needs to adapt.
I think significantly, though, he's still talking about bringing the car to him and finding a set up that suits his style, so what do I know. Maybe the whole on-track relationship will be a battle of fizzy vs. smooth.
Off-track I wonder if 2007 might have another effect. Hamilton's been positively effusive in his praise of Alonso since Button joined McLaren and admits he didn't handle the relationship as well as he might have. Hamilton will fight his corner but I doubt he'll want to be seen to be engaged in another spat with another team mate.