FoxHound wrote:Hamilton was definitely unlucky this year, he was exemplary and paid the penalty for an unreliable macca.
However, I think Alonso shades it for his efforts this year. I look back and think....What else could Alonso have done that could have made him champion?
While I agree there isn't much he could do better - it's really hard to quantify really. Did Alonso always drive as fast as he could - or did he at times play the number game too much, prioritizing finishing steady over risking more, but perhaps losing more at the same time?
Also, equally - I think Raikoennen couldn't have done more this year. Neither could Hamilton - although there is the incident with Maldonado that one could argue cost him a podium instead of a DNF. When I read about all the praise Alonso gets, I just wonder - how much is down to to media influence - jumping on the popular vote? Naming Alonso driver of the race/season/year whatever - is always the popular vote it seems. I'm not disputing his race craft at all mind you - I just think to a certain degree, Alonso is also flattered somewhat by popular belief that his Ferrari was a dog whole year (while ignoring that the car perhaps wasn't that bad after all), Massa severely underperforming (perhaps because of the car, but perhaps because he felt unsupported in the shadows of Alonso)...
I think what the end to the season has shown - Massa found his mojo back somewhat and did outperform Alonso in the last two races (or more?) - was this down to Alonso trying too much to play the number game? Or did Massa just find back his form that was lacking most part of this and last year? For sure, if he is able to remain as focused next year will perhaps put Alonso in a very different light indeed. I still expect Alonso to outshine his teammate, though perhaps not to the degree we have become used to this year.
It's a tricky argument really. I honestly think Alonso is a great driver - but surely the idea that Massa has somewhat played 'slave' in order to help his championship hopes puts a dent to his image in my view. Vettel didn't have that luxory to that extend and clearly, neither did Hamilton. Given this - I do think Hamilton is the driver of the year. He's done pretty much what he needed all year while having a huge amount of misfortune. And yet, he carried on, as focused as ever while right to the end. He deserves it every much as Alonso - but without the dent of being center in what seems effectively a one-man team. Although - at the end of the day, Hamilton just doesn't seem to be that "popular" among the paddock and the rest of the field.
Also, if we just focus on how much one can do with a car - I think Vettel has been pretty flawless too. Webber might have been faster than him on some occasions, but then again, so has Button over Hamilton and even Massa over Alonso. What I find more interesting is how these drivers cope when things don't go their way - and IMO in these races, Vettel has impressed by keeping his head in the right place and that ultimately won him the championship.
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