Hamilton, the next Montoya

[Scuderia Nuvolari]

I have changed my mind and I hope Montzemolo does, too -- I'd love to see Alonso replace Kimi (Ferrari can easily afford to buy out Kimi's contract - or sell it to another team.)

Ferrari won't need to be able to afford to buy Kimi out - if Alonso comes along, you can bet the Santander would be thinking about how nice their logo would look on a Ferrari livery - they'd find the money

Hamilton is not another Montoya - the basic difference is that JPM is a free spirit who bucks against rules and does things for the hell of it.

LH is a young guy, who will do what is expected of him - but, right now, he seems unable to hold his head. He has some growing up left in him.

P.S. - After last years toy throwing session FA has now put the focus back on his driving (and the guy who was great at Renault and loved by many fans in 05 & 06) - he has reminded us that is really is a GREAT driver (perhaps he will also have learned from 07 too...........)

You must forgeting that this the most expensive, prestgious, in the world and as the French originally named it is truly the world's "great prize".
Where and how does a child fit into this picture, other than to be a fan? [-X

[Spencifer_Murphy]

Lewis won't be the next Montoya. Lewis may be a bit too hot headed sometimes but they key distiction between the two is lewis' willingness to listen.

JPM would get an idea in his head and stick with it...he was as subborn as a mule. Lewis on the other hand knows his talent is what gifted him an awesome car to drive BUT crucially is still thankful that Ron gave him the chance (and all the help early in his carear) Ron has guided Lewis though his carear and Lewis will listen to advice.

Take the Chinese GP as an example, that race drive by Lewis was almost Schumi-esque, metronomic consistency coupled with a delighted yet restrained post-race persona. Sounds like somebody at Mclaren has had a word with Lewis (kinda like, "Look this time last year you and a 17point lead and it slipped through your fingers, just cool it, if Kimi get ahead at the first corner, so what? you can still finiah in front of Massa.")

Finally IF Lewis does win the WDC this year then he's deffinatly not the next Montoya. JPM had awesome talent and speed but at times was his own worst enemy, the result was that he walked away from the sport having achieved nothing near to what his talent may have deserved. If - I repeat IF - Lewis wins the WDC this year then in only his 2nd season he'd have achieved what JPM could not, and that will be the end of the debate lol.

[bizadfar]

Not sure if I'd call it a Renault resurgence. They got pretty lucky with the last 2 wins.

Their pace is impressive. Even if Mclaren/Ferrari was compromised in Fuji with conditions/damage/fuel loads & strategy etc, he did get the fastest lap.

In SG his fastest lap was only .2 off Kimi. They had a fueling issue in qualifying. They are certainly making grounds in pace.
Weather that will cost them for 2009 we can't really guess. Even though it seems the crap you learn and develop this year will most likely not be allowed to be carried over to the next car.