[Official] Driver of the race: Chinese Grand Prix

[Razzzor]

Considering the Mercedes is a second a lap, at least, faster after than everyone else, and Mercedes were running their new parts (weren't they?) which claimed to give them ANOTHER second, Lewis should have been a minute ahead of everyone else (except Rosberg). He wasn't. He was only 23 secs ahead of Alonso who was held up by Vettel for most of that gap and then battled with Rosberg briefly.

Going by that, Lewis was surely just cruising all race long and couldn't really be considered DOTR. You've got to outperform the car for that. Even Rosberg seemed to be taking it easy, pushing only when necessary and apologising to the team for accidentally throwing that 1m 40.4 in there, almost 2 secs faster than Vettels fastest lap.

What the f#*k has F1 come to where no one is pushing 100%, it's like the rulemakers have forgotten this is a race. I want to see drivers pushing to the limits of the car! They can't do that with the current tyres and fuel situation.

[wnut]

Hamilton - I told you he'd be good in a car with less downforce that moved around!

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by Razzzor

Considering the Mercedes is a second a lap, at least, faster after than everyone else, and Mercedes were running their new parts (weren't they?) which claimed to give them ANOTHER second, Lewis should have been a minute ahead of everyone else (except Rosberg). He wasn't. He was only 23 secs ahead of Alonso who was held up by Vettel for most of that gap and then battled with Rosberg briefly.

Going by that, Lewis was surely just cruising all race long and couldn't really be considered DOTR. You've got to outperform the car for that. Even Rosberg seemed to be taking it easy, pushing only when necessary and apologising to the team for accidentally throwing that 1m 40.4 in there, almost 2 secs faster than Vettels fastest lap.

I think it was Fangio who first said that you should try to win at the slowest possible speed. That's really what Hammy was doing. He gave himself just enough lead to allow himself an unexpected pitstop if necessary. He used less fuel than anyone else, so he had a bit of extra safety margin there too. He kept his pace below the ultimate so he put less strain on every bit of the car. He still has the ultimate pace that he had from Day 1, but he now shows a more controlled and intelligent side to his driving as well. It's not his fault if no-one else can keep up.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

I think it was Fangio who first said that you should try to win at the slowest possible speed. That's really what Hammy was doing. He gave himself just enough lead to allow himself an unexpected pitstop if necessary. He used less fuel than anyone else, so he had a bit of extra safety margin there too. He kept his pace below the ultimate so he put less strain on every bit of the car. He still has the ultimate pace that he had from Day 1, but he now shows a more controlled and intelligent side to his driving as well. It's not his fault if no-one else can keep up.

Lewis certainly has matured since leaving McLaren and particularly after the 2011 season and his feud with Massa during it. 2011 must really go down as his lowest point. It's good to see him back on top.

[Rennen]

Originally Posted by Zico

Easy... Alonso. Yet another fantastic drive that once again proved he can get the absolute very best out of whatever car he is given. No of WDC's and wins in dominant cars don't count for me and not really a fan of the man as a person but as a driver these capabilities and achievements are the markings of a true great.
I wish more forum members would look out for this rather than automatically awarding it their favourite driver or the winner in the best car... that's just either fanboyism or bizzare!

Hamilton was untouchable but had it easy way out in front in the quickest car by a country mile. He really didn't have much to do compared with the rest other than have to maintain his concentration. Not his fault and he is probably the quickest guy out there but how can anyone award him DOR? He was hardly involved in one!

Edit- Maybe that is a bit harsh because I do know how demanding it is to maintain 100% concentration when you have it easy.

Spot on!

[Knowlesy]

It isn't spot on at all. I agree with voting for Alonso, but it ends there I am afraid.

We have a majority vote on Alonso and complaints about people fanboying Hamilton. JESUS WEPT.

[Inigo Montoya]

I agree with Knowlesy (again). As we saw from Rosberg's race, its not so easy to stream off into the distance when you are in the best car.

[Zico]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

I agree with Knowlesy (again). As we saw from Rosberg's race, its not so easy to stream off into the distance when you are in the best car.

Hamilton had the best car though, Rosberg was somewhat handicapped by the car being unable to relay telemetry back to the engineers.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Zico

Hamilton had the best car though, Rosberg was somewhat handicapped by the car being unable to relay telemetry back to the engineers.

I remember a time when a driver didn't use telemetry to tell him/her how drive their car.... was it better? I think so.

[Adam43]

That was when driving was easy

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

That was when driving was easy

All those knobs and buttons on the steering wheel, it's no wonder they need a computer etc. to drive the car.

[Zico]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I remember a time when a driver didn't use telemetry to tell him/her how drive their car.... was it better? I think so.

I don't remember that time but yes, in an ideal world I would also like to see drivers just being drivers rather than having to also multi task so much.
Maldonados excursion into the gravel due to being distracted by his button bashing is probably a bad example for arguing against it though.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Zico

I don't remember that time but yes, in an ideal world I would also like to see drivers just being drivers rather than having to also multi task so much.
Maldonados excursion into the gravel due to being distracted by his button bashing is probably a bad example for arguing against it though.

The first race I ever went to was The Daily Express Trophy, Silver Jubilee in '73 at Silverstone. Jackie Stewrt won it, no telemetry,

[Zico]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

The first race I ever went to was The Daily Express Trophy, Silver Jubilee in '73 at Silverstone. Jackie Stewrt won it, no telemetry,

I was just a twinkle in my fathers eye back then.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Zico

I was just a twinkle in my fathers eye back then.

It was amasing stuff....

[bauble]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

The first race I ever went to was The Daily Express Trophy, Silver Jubilee in '73 at Silverstone. Jackie Stewrt won it, no telemetry,

Hmmm? 1952, Lance Macklin in an HWM, we could not even spell tel er..min...

..... that stuff that they have now!

[Mekola]

My vote goes to Ricciardo, who did another acceptable run this time.