planetf1.com

I'm not concerned at all, but I'm excited for Rosberg because with a high-caliber driver and much younger compared to Schumi. It will definately push Merc to push to develop the chassis this season and I think with a solid chassis, Rosberg can most certainly be a match for Hamilton. This will show if he will back down or pick it up like Nick Heidfeld did in 2006 going into 2007 against Robert Kubica.

He will be ready and I think it will be a fine teammate battle between them because Rosberg looks as if he is ready to finally be considered one of the "good/great drivers" of the field because I've always had a soft spot for Rosberg in his Williams days. I want to see this energetic Rosberg I saw in 2006 to 2009 because the man could out fly and I think he will be dangerous for Hamilton because Rosberg can really help or hurt himself with this opprotunity for the rest of his career. Rosberg is a pretty damn good qualifier and he's no slouch race pace wise, so I'm not worried about him in the slighest.

_________________
Felipe Massa fan/supporter since 2002 and counting!

If they could not be bothered to do their best with a 7-times WDC in their car, do you think this will motivate?

I think it will be interesting to see how Lewis copes with things in a new team... it will perhaps give more glimpses into his psyche. Nico, for his own sake he better pick up some slack. Not that he couldn't do a better job, but sometimes last season, i got an impression that he couldn't be arsed. German or not, he'd find himself landing on his rear tossed by Merc, if he does not perform proper. Lewis' signing will put pressure on him no doubt, but how much, let us find out this season.

_________________
My Top 5 drivers of all times:
1) Prost/ Schumacher
3) Fangio
4) Lauda
5) Brabham

if you don't like it, too bad! There's a reason why it says "My Top 5"

Of course not. I'm very aware that for any driver, there are different levels of vocal commitment. I know and respect some very fine people who are devout Hamilton fans, and I am aware of others who are at the other end of the spectrum. If you bother to actually read my post, I refer to a certain segment, nowhere did I state, "all Hamilton fans".

I hold to the theory that be it politics, religion or even being a fan of a team or individual in sport, there are fans who wear their pride in dignity and moderate activity (the quiet majority), and those who are, as I believe, "the loud minority".

I do not understand why OP's keep using terms like "we", "everyone believes", "most people feel" - when that is not the case at all. Some feel that Hamilton would destroy Rosberg, others don't.

_________________

Indeed, I don't view him as any different to Vettel in terms of ability.

I do think Hamilton will beat him comfortably.

_________________
We want heroes, but there are few, mainly it's cars - Pedro De La Rosa

Do you really think the designers weren't pushing their hardest because they had Schui and Rosberg ?

_________________
Disclaimer: The above post maybe tongue in cheek.

"I thought I'd get your theories, mock them, then embrace my own. The usual."

Perhaps because F1 developement is so different these days, Schumi was not as good at developing the car as he used to be, and Hamilton is the perfect developement driver for the simulator-based modern F1. Perhaps.

I don't actually believe that but it's a possibility.

I don't thing Nico will mind either way. We underestimated him in 2010 when we thought he'd be destroyed by Schumacher, look how that turned out. It was only in the 3rd year that Schumacher started to get the best of him, even then it was only on occasion.

I don't think he'll beat Hamilton but I think he'll be closer than Heikki was.

_________________
Official Kamui Kobayashi Fanboy

I would never underestimate Nico, he's one of my faves. He's a talented driver, perhaps not on the same level as Ham/Seb/Nando but certainly no slouch. I think Hamilton and Nico will be a very productive pairing for Mercedes.

_________________
"You are the universe expressing itself as a Human for a little while..."

I'd never underestimate any driver that makes it into F1. The one big positive I can see with the Nico and Lewis pairing is that they may work a lot better as a team than Jenson and Lewis did due to their past - it may not pan out that way, but thats life lol.

Voted yes.

He is a bit underrated. He is a good solid driver who makes few mistakes. Very valuable driver for a team as he consistently score points. I think in a top car he can be a challanger for the title.
Hamilton is the better driver without a doubt, but do I think he will destroy Nico? No.

_________________
Lewis Hamilton #1!

Alonso, Kimi, Grosjean, Massa, Bianchi, Hulkenberg, Button, Perez.

Mercedes AMG Petronas
Ferrari
Lotus F1
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes