Strongest driver lineup 2013?

[PlatinumZealot]

After Kimi, Ferrari only take drivers with passion and resolve. The Placid DiResta and Hulkenburg are from from this. Vettel 2014 is not written in the stars, but it doesn't matter, Vettel can go anywhere he wants. If he wants to take on a 33 year old Alonso then fine, but he stands to lose more if Alonso beats him.

[copperkipper1]

Passion is the most overused word in Formula 1

Ron Dennis releasing the McLaren P1 - "This car passion blah blah passion passion fruit blah passion"

It's meaningless to my mind now..same goes for the word 'blasts' which the media use 24/7... "Hamilton blasts strategy" - When really all he did was say "It was a bad decision"... that's not 'blasting' now is it?

[Dragonfly]

I think the high percentage of Hamilton/Rosberg reflects rather people's expectations than real possibility. Too many unknowns there plus an adaptation period. Based on the relative stability of the rules I think Vettel/Webber will be the strongest pair. RBR are going to fix the drawbacks of the current car. Alonso, no matter how good he is, can't compensate for two.

[RB7ate9]

I think the high percentage of Hamilton/Rosberg reflects rather people's expectations than real possibility. Too many unknowns there plus an adaptation period. Based on the relative stability of the rules I think Vettel/Webber will be the strongest pair. RBR are going to fix the drawbacks of the current car. Alonso, no matter how good he is, can't compensate for two.

If Massa is replaced, then it means that of the top 5, only Red Bull and Lotus will carry their drivers over.

Red Bull will have an advantage with the driver continuity.

[raymondu999]

Does sound like Vettel is certain for 2014! How great will that be to see! Hulkenberg should go, chance to win a race, and if Vettel is to head to ferrari for 2014, and Webber getting older, their could be 2 seats in an Adrian Newey car available! So Shop window for Hulkenberg!

100% agreed! I love all this teamswitching stuff!

A Vettel Alonso partnership, in my view, would be the single strongest lineup on the grid, barring a Senna/Prost or Alonso/Hamilton type implosion

[NathanOlder]

Does sound like Vettel is certain for 2014! How great will that be to see! Hulkenberg should go, chance to win a race, and if Vettel is to head to ferrari for 2014, and Webber getting older, their could be 2 seats in an Adrian Newey car available! So Shop window for Hulkenberg!

100% agreed! I love all this teamswitching stuff!

A Vettel Alonso partnership, in my view, would be the single strongest lineup on the grid, barring a Senna/Prost or Alonso/Hamilton type implosion

Too right!! But like Prost/Senna Lewis/Alonso it has always ended badly. So there is no reason to believe Alo/Vet will end any differently. It so easy to see, Alonso has form with Lewis, and we all know how Seb can be with Webber when he isnt getting everything his way. I expect Fireworks at Ferrari and I cannot wait to see it implode

[beelsebob]

I think the high percentage of Hamilton/Rosberg reflects rather people's expectations than real possibility. Too many unknowns there plus an adaptation period. Based on the relative stability of the rules I think Vettel/Webber will be the strongest pair. RBR are going to fix the drawbacks of the current car. Alonso, no matter how good he is, can't compensate for two.

I think they're because people were asked for the strongest driver lineup, not the strongest driver + car lineup.

[FoxHound]

I think they're because people were asked for the strongest driver lineup, not the strongest driver + car lineup.

True!

I don't see how any other pairing can compete all things being equal. A Vettel/Alonso pairing would probably be better, but I reckon that even that would have some destructive synergies involved that would make Ham/Ros better overall.
Rosberg and Hamilton know each other, are both friends and have knowledge of working with Mercedes, Hamilton via McLaren.
If the car is capable of winning next year, regularly, then we may see a few skeletons appear. But if as expected Mercedes make a car that's off winning pace, these 2 will turn into point accumulators.

[Shrieker]

@ Bob,

I think you're taking Rosberg lightly a bit there. I always thought he was on a par with Lewis/Ferdi/Vettel. He has kind of been underperforming lately imho. I think he'll give Hamilton a very hard time next season, and surprise a lot of people.

[NathanOlder]

He's good, but not that good.

[clipsy1H]

... Hamilton - Rosberg are at same lvl with Seb - Mark .... Kimi and Fernando need a strong teammate to be in this top (maybe if Michael join Ferrari or Lotus )
But 2013 will be an excellent season

[Paul]

I picked Hamilton/Rosberg as the strongest pair. Unfortunately, they are currently in the weakest car. ...

Surely it wouldn't be interesting to have the strongest drivers in the strongest car!

[marcush.]

@ Bob,

I think you're taking Rosberg lightly a bit there. I always thought he was on a par with Lewis/Ferdi/Vettel. He has kind of been underperforming lately imho. I think he'll give Hamilton a very hard time next season, and surprise a lot of people.

for what it´s worth he seems to go worse the better Schumacher gets (notwithstanding China) he also seems to liven up as soon as Schumacher disappears in a race....I´m very sure he will not take too well to partnering Hamilton.I expect him to falter ...mind you he started off his career with MGP beating the Master ....but now he has the next superstar to take on.
Hamilton is not near perfect ,true .But then he has to accept that his teammates are not really slower than him these days.

[PlatinumZealot]

So.
Marcush... will you be supporting Mercedes next year.....?

[NathanOlder]

I will. Lewis No.1