F1

[Windhook]

Michael won his first title with inferior car in Benetton team. Then also had inferior car with Ferrari as McLaren Renault's were superior.

Later on Ferrari had the strongest setup.

And to be clear I hated Schumacher back then and cheered for Damon Hill and Renaults.

Edit, it was Williams team.

Also later McLaren had the best car for few years. Not Ferrari.

Williams won the championship in 1993 (Alain Prost) using electronic aid components. Then FIA banned them, but Benetton with that fraud Briatore in charge managed to conceal them for the 1994 season. Benetton's 1994 car was nowhere near "inferior". It was a cheat code and sadly pushed Ayrton Senna to his competitive maximum leading to his death at Imola 1994. Williams 1994 car was problematic and to this day I cannot unsee the medical helicopter and Adrian Newey crying. They knew:

The reason why I brought historical examples is not inferior cars, but inferior teammates. Schumacher was always no.1, Eddie Irvine and Barrichello were no.2.

In 2016 Rosberg retired for reasons unknown, most likely due to strained relations to Lewis Hamilton and me or him scenario at Mercedes. Then Valtteri Bottas was brought in to cause no trouble.

 

[Horatio]

glad i skipped

 

[TheStig]

Hamilton's goal should be that he finnally gets to Q2, not dreaming about titles.

 

[Haraldinho]

2026 will focus on flatter floors with extended diffusers that have bigger openings.

This will result in less downforce and should offer a greater variety of set-ups, meaning drivers like Hamilton should be able to cater the car to their specific driving style more easily. Time is running out for that elusive 8th title.

2026 is also managing power between internal combustion and electrical (50/50 this time).

In terms of downforce the front wing will have DRS too (more flexible wing).

Mercedes has found a loophole (more compression ratio 18 versus 16 referred by the rules).

 

[Windhook]

 

[DonAK]

Very likely Hamilton's last season and Leclerc has more or less said he will leave if Ferrari won't challenge for the WDC.

Maybe the most important season for Ferrari in more than a decade.

 

[Windhook]

Very likely Hamilton's last season and Leclerc has more or less said he will leave if Ferrari won't challenge for the WDC.

Maybe the most important season for Ferrari in more than a decade.

I don't think so. Hamilton has one of the best contracts out there until 2027, with 2028 option.

The thought of retiring might be there, but look at Fernando Alonso racing at age 45-46.

 

[DonAK]

I don't think so. Hamilton has the one of the best contracts out there until 2027, with 2028 option.

The thought of retiring might be there, but look at Fernando Alonso racing at age 45-46.

If Ferrari have a shitbox I think he will very likely retire.

Alonso is a bit of a maniac. He would race until 50 if allowed.

 

[Windhook]

If Ferrari have a shitbox I think he will very likely retire.

Alonso is a bit of a maniac. He would race until 50 if allowed.

Don't forget Hamilton is chasing the dream of the ultimate 8th WDC. That's my main point he's not retiring soon and Alonso being the inspiration for longevity.

 

[TheStig]

There is no chance he gets another title, even if Ferrari miraculously make a good car (they won't) he's not good enough to beat Leclerc. Hope he retires soon, I had a little hope even last season that he'll stop this winter when he wasn't even capable of getting out of Q1 in the last part of the season but looks like it'll be another season where I root only for 1 Ferrari driver.

Mercedes could wipe the floor with everybody in my opinion, Russell WDC. Hope at least Max is close so it'll be interesting but that will be a hard job with a new engine supplier.

 

[Titan98]

Mercedes could wipe the floor with everybody in my opinion, Russell WDC. Hope at least Max is close so it'll be interesting but that will be a hard job with a new engine supplier.

I am not sure about that, mclaren has the same engine and last year the built a much better car.
If mercedes has the best, i hope for antonelli to win it.

 

[TheStig]

The rumors point to Mercedes being in front even if other teams have the same engine, I also think the Mercedes drivers are better than Mclaren's.

I agree about Antonelli, I like him the most out of all the Merc engine drivers but I think it's too soon for him. He should go home to Ferrari anyway when the British has been retires (wishful thinking I know).

 

[Titan98]

The rumors point to Mercedes being in front even if other teams have the same engine, I also think the Mercedes drivers are better than Mclaren's.

I agree about Antonelli, I like him the most out of all the Merc engine drivers but I think it's too soon for him. He should go home to Ferrari anyway when the British has been retires (wishful thinking I know).

Yes, but only because of the engine. There are rumors about the engine. But the teams have no idea about the aerodynamics of the other teams. And since that has also completely changed, the unknown variable here is also very large. I don't think Mercedes has a big advantage over Meclaren here. It could also be that the aerodynamics of Red Bull or Aston Martin are much better and fully compensate for any potential engine disadvantage, especially considering that the max factor also adds at least another 0.3 seconds. Personally, I'm hoping for Ferrari, as always, and there will only be Leclerc there.
It's like in football: as long as England doesn't become world champion, or rather, as long as Russell doesn't become world champion, I'm happy.

 

[TheStig]

It's all guessing and it will be until at least 5 races into the season. Maybe we'll be totally wrong with Mercedes but all the rumors point to them. I don't mind Russell, prefer him to the papaya clowns but just as you I'm a long time Ferrari fan. Not the best years (or decades) for us and it doesn't look that we'll change anytime soon. Maybe they surprise, at least we have some hope with the new rules.

 

[Titan98]

It's all guessing and it will be until at least 5 races into the season. Maybe we'll be totally wrong with Mercedes but all the rumors point to them. I don't mind Russell, prefer him to the papaya clowns but just as you I'm a long time Ferrari fan. Not the best years (or decades) for us and it doesn't look that we'll change anytime soon. Maybe they surprise, at least we have some hope with the new rules.

Yeah it would be great to see leclerc winning a WC
Two minutes ago they showed the new farrari, looks beautiful with the white colour