Hamilton will be Alonso's teammate

Kaali · Post by **Kaali** » 24 Nov 2006, 14:10

Lucky guy Hamilton will be Alonso's teammate. Hope he can give more challenge than Fisichella could:

Hamilton gets second McLaren seat
Friday, 24, November, 2006, 10:14
GP2 champion Lewis Hamilton has been confirmed as Fernando Alonso's team-mate at McLaren for 2007.

The announcement ends months of speculation concerning the identity of the team's second driver and means the 21-year-old Briton will make his Formula 1 debut in Melbourne in March.

Hamilton said: "It's a dream come true.

""To be racing in Formula 1 with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me.

"I have grown up with McLaren and Mercedes and wouldn't be where I am today without their continued support and guidance.

"However I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know that there will be a lot of attention on me.

"However the team has told me just to relax, do the best I can and enjoy the opportunity.

"I will work hard to get good results."

Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett have also been confirmed as test drivers for next year.

Source: http://www.itv-f1.com

Flow · Post by **Flow** » 24 Nov 2006, 16:10

Yeah, that driver was suported alot by McLaren trough his young carreer.

noob1234 · Post by **noob1234** » 24 Nov 2006, 17:41

Shame about Fisichella really..
Good driver, but I think he was beaten by Alonzo on the psychological level more than anything.

Ruben Miranda · Post by **Ruben Miranda** » 25 Nov 2006, 01:36

Hello
I don't know anything about this guy.
But I don't understand why McLaren (Any team for that matter) would hire a unproven driver when you have the money to hire proven drivers and you have had 3 or 4 dismal years.

to me this is not the time to build a new team.

Just my oppinuion not that I know anything but I still find it strange.

Hitman

Flow · Post by **Flow** » 25 Nov 2006, 01:48

Well Hitman, then you must agree with some flamous comment of Villeneuve. He said that Team head management are stupid, they hire new driver with no experience that they pay less. Money, money, money again reflect in weird decision. BUT pay less and get less... hummm. Also, why pay a Kimi full price, when the car cant bring him to end. Pay less a driver that will probably wont do mutch better thant Kimi, since the car seem the problem, not the driver

We dont know alot that new driver, but McLaren know him since hes 13 years old. He was hired by McLaren in a young program driver, in 1998. He grown from Karting and win 10 of 15 race of Formula Renault championship in 2003 He dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2005. He drove in GP2 in 2006.

But, we will see if hes realy ready to join F1 next season. I dont want to wish him bad season, but if it goes bad, that will just prove again that pay less, and get less.

noob1234 · Post by **noob1234** » 25 Nov 2006, 02:48

Well, isn't this fairly normal?

I mean an f1 team ideally has 1 stable driver and 1 wildcard. (Except Fabios and Eddie Jordans teams which have had two wildcards often).

Alonzo would be the stable one and Hamilton is the raw talent that will hopefully pay off within one or two years.

But I agree that normally a top team like McLaren will let the noobs do one or two years in a budget team before they hire.

klaaz · Post by **klaaz** » 25 Nov 2006, 04:07

this mr Hamilton is a very talented man, i wouldnt be supprised at all if he is gonna be very close to alonso's speed from the first race. anyways i can totally understand the reasons mc laren went this course, if anyone can bring that car home, its Hamilton...

Kaali · Post by **Kaali** » 25 Nov 2006, 17:05

Flow wrote:why pay a Kimi full price, when the car cant bring him to end. Pay less a driver that will probably wont do mutch better thant Kimi, since the car seem the problem, not the driver

There is a story behind that Flow. At the time McLaren hired Räikkönen they had a much stronger team. McLaren had so much to offer F1 brainwise and therefore a much basis for getting sponsor money but but but...During 2002-2003 season McLaren's V10 specialist ran away from the team (cannot remember where he went but as far as I could understand not to another F1 team). Which resulted in massive engine blows as you might remember. During 2005-2006 season Adrian Newey went to Red Bull after Coulthard convinced Newey that McLaren was not a place for Newey. On top of that a former hot-shot (cannot remember his name) Ferrari chassis designer, whom McLaren headhunted from Ferrari in 2004 I believe, went back to Ferrari after end of 2005 season. After Newey's departure several more brains ran off too for some reason. Rest is history.

Flow · Post by **Flow** » 25 Nov 2006, 18:06

Yeah, life sucks some time

not always easy.

Flow · Post by **Flow** » 28 Nov 2006, 05:20

Coultard said that Hamilton was not a good idea he explain like this in resume : Alonzo, 2 title in hand will be his partner. We can expect alot from him. 1st that Hamilton will be compare with will be alonzo... not good, Coultard say that if Hamilton have some problem at start of season, that may blow his confidence away too soon. Hamilton should not have Alonzo for partner or should have more experience before rivalizing with Alonzo. Coultard knows Hamilton since he was young also, and he should of did 1 year of testing (3rd) driver for McLaren before.

Will see what will hapend.

killahead · Post by **killahead** » 28 Nov 2006, 14:39

Coulthard don't know shit.......it'll be awesome with Hamilton in McLaren

carrera · Post by **carrera** » 28 Nov 2006, 18:56

I agree with Killa.Coulthard hopes he will screw it up so he can say i told you so.Hamilton is ready.I just hope that it does not end up like Michael Andrettis start in f1.Ayrton Senna as a teamate.That was a bad resume choice.I think Hamilton and Alonzo will be like Senna and Prost...Fast from the start....
carrera

klaaz · Post by **klaaz** » 29 Nov 2006, 18:20

test day one lewis had a few problems, but was around top 5 with 1 sec behing Massa.
Day 2 also seems a nice day at the office for Hamilton...

Barcelona - Spanje 29 november 2006
Pos. Rijder Team Banden Tijd Ronden
1 F. Massa Ferrari 01:16.406 83
2 N. Heidfeld BMW 01:17.159 72
3 L. Badoer Ferrari 00:17.447 71
4 P. de la Rosa McLaren 01:17.584 77
5 O. Panis Toyota 01:17.643 78
6 L. Hamilton McLaren 01:17.748 47
7 R. Barrichello Honda 01:17.922 96
8 M. Webber Red Bull 01:18.249 44
9 N. Piquet jr. Renault 01:18.312 86
10 A. Davidson Super Aguri 01:18.374 86
11 D. Coulthard Red Bull 01:18.526 72
12 H. Kovalainen Renault 01:18.757 51
13 R. Kubica BMW 01:18.778 47
14 A. Wurz Williams 01:18.876 47
15 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso 01:19.114 50
16 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso 01:19.277 66
17 K. Kobayashi Toyota 01:20.731 81

source:
http://www.f1racing.net/nl/testresults.php?testID=575

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Hamilton will be Alonso's teammate

Hamilton will be Alonso's teammate

Humm!!