ALESI wrote:
MasterRacer wrote:
Seb would be an upgrade for Mercedes over Hamilton, but I can't see him leaving Ferrari now they are starting to look competitive again.

Even as anti-Lewis as I am, that's funny. They are surely about on a par, even I am not blinkered enough to claim Vettel would be an upgrade.
There are drivers who excel:
- at the sharp end
- in the pack
I will not name names but It is my opinion that the skills needed to do well at the sharp end are different to those necessary to fight in the midfield.
Vettel was not at his best in 2014 and in 2016, Hamilton was not at his best in 2011 even though he was still faster than his teammate. But both have one thing in common, they excel at the sharp end and I don't think the drivers behind can reach their highest peaks(speed not overtakes).
Hamilton have won many races similar to Barcelona 2017 before(China 2011, Germany 2011, Hungary 2013, Canada 2010, USA 2012, Bahrain 2014, Austria 2016, USA 2015, [
special mention to his 2006 GP2 race 2 in Turkey even though he didn't win] etc..) , races where
he had to overtake the guy in the lead to win. That his style.
If you ask your driver to drive for 5th and 6th positions, both Hamilton and Vettel would do poorly. There are better drivers than them for this.
If you ask your driver to securely drive to 3rd-4th every race, there are probably better drivers than Hamilton(Vettel and Alonso certainly are in this department).
If you ask your driver to win you a wet race you better have Hamilton in your car. Vettel is second.
If you ask your driver to chase the guy in front and win the race no driver is better than Hamilton. This is stuff.
Vettel is terrific though from pole to win with a
dominant car. The best in this department with Alonso.
For this season, as long as Hamilton is second in the race, he will chase down Vettel and win some/many. He only needs to address his starts.