Kimi: It's not just me and Lewis.

Sensible comments, as you'd expect - analytical, but brimming with self confidence and without using the words, both Ferrari pilots have said they want to be World Champion in 2008.

So, who wants to be the first to tell them to 'shut up and let their driving do the talking'. Any takers? Or is that comment only valid when thrown against former rookies, or old hands in strong midfield cars?

"Missing from that equation, of course, will be Alonso, who fled McLarento return to the sanctuary of Renaultafter a difficult year spent learning to share the spotlight with the rookie Hamilton." No, Alonso fled McLaren after year of being backstabbed by his team boss.

Yes yes, Jonov, thanks for your insightful and original input....

Jonov

how about u shut the **** up?

no one gives a ****

Drat! There was me thinking I'd succesfully nipped one moronic line of drivel in the bud, only for another to pop up in its place!

FA and Mclaren behaved badly to each other; someone started it, but that doesn't really matter. What matters is that not enough people on either side saw fit to stop it, and let it spiral out of control. NO-ONE is blameless through that episode; FA, Mclaren, FIA, the press. Lesson learned.

Now can we PLEASE move on?

Here is a lesson in diplomacy and excellent public relations to all those drivers that really need it.
Well said Kimi and Felipe, if other drivers emulate you things will be much easier and happier within F1.

"Meanwhile, it is better for us to see Alonso in a Renault than in a McLaren because at this time it appears that Renault is not as strong as McLaren seems to be",
"Fernando is a good pilot....",
These tributes coming from Felipe and Kimi show the high regard in which Fernando is held among the topmost drivers.

Robsy - I totally agree with the second paragraph of your last post. Your first post seemd like you were baiting for the type of comments that your consider drivel. It seems that LH's fans thrive on the negative comments. Similar to the article about LH topping testing a week or so ago. People were asking to be reminded that it was only testing. Seems a bit odd. Must make them feel like a better fan when they can fight any and all criticism of their chosen one.

Once again, great posts from Reno.

Yes Reno, once again, Kimi shows the usual Finnish diplomacy and refuses to be drawn into the 'I AM' category. No trumpet blowing, no dirt dishing. Just the kind of driver attitude we need more of in F1.
And you my friend, are the very same benchmark on this forum. If only all behaved as you do. Lets have less sarcasm, windups and pathetic comments made by people who should know better.

Hard to know if this is genuine or a wind up????

i myself have become a RENO fanboy too!!! spot on mate

It seems to me that LH fans deperately want him to be loved, just as much as he himself wants to be loved, but he keeps opening his mouth and messing up with his comments! There is fighting talk and there is arrogant talk. His fans on this site feel a need to keep defending him, even though they agree he has a big mouth! So, both LH and his fans miss the point.

Like Alonso says, there is no time for making friends in F1, because it is so competitive! My advice is for LH to grow up fast and stop taking the bait from the journalists' questions, and like MS and KR, to choose his words carefully, speak with confidence, but not arrogance - and then give his full answers on the track!!!

I say they miss the point because no matter how highly they speak of him or defend him, he has NOT won a WDC - and no amount of 'nearly' arguments will do the trick. Facts are facts - and the views of WDCs are highly regarded. If LH feels the need to speak as if he is already a WDC, then he raises the stakes for himself and therefore the level of criticism, if he fails. All the peripheral arguments about being a rookie become immaterial, because he himself raises the stakes of the argument. You can't eat your cake and have it. This season becomes vital for all the reasons mentioned - and no arguments or excuses will do, because he has ALREADY raised the stakes of the game. Time will tell...

Reno SP

I have to add that the first of your quoted tributes is from no less than the current WDC which makes it all the sweeter. You hit it right on the money!


F1 Rules
"...he has NOT won a WDC.."

Yeah, that's a tact that i've tried again and again but some blind loyalties out here are apparently deaf as well.

I agree with Raikkonen that he does not believe that Alonso now back at Renault will not be a threat for the championship this year if the car does not click totally, but I do expect the Renault to be challenging for podiums this year and even a race win if they get dialled in right. I do expect LH to be a threat of course along with Kovalainen but I am expecting Massa to be more consistent too. However I reckon there will be a surprise contender this season.

l think cracks are starting to appear in the Macca team,and they have reached there peak in the current era.
The later half of the season after Ron is gone could be the beginning of the downward spiral.Funding will become a HUGE issue for them after this year.

Kimi has shown that he's all grown up & ready to go, even to be a champion again. This is the kind of self-confidence blended with humility that is so lacking in F1 right now. The years of waiting for the title did wonders to sharpen & mold Kimi as a top racing driver & as a person. So Kimi, from a McLaren fan.....well said & well done. Let the racing begin.

Massa,lewis are forgetting Heikki,but kimi still eyes all,thats sign of champion,go kimi..

Any sportsperson, any champion, does not go into a competition with the idea that he is the best and that he is going to win. Inflated egos can be burst in a jiffy from quarters that are not expected.
Individual sports depend on the preparation of the individual.
Sports like F1 depend on the package: The Car, the team, the engine, reliability and consistency, finally it depends on the driver to drive it to the limit not only by raw speed and courage but also by setting his car to suit his driving style.
Kimi, Felipe and Fernando have loads of experience here.
Lewis is very fast but this year he is on his own set up wise.
Also if Ron leaves McL the setup will become up a setdown.

2008 f1 calender is not yet started and Lewis is talking about he will race for title against kimi,who knows? actually i want to see Jenson button in place of heikki,if you want in british way than make it whole,so that british friends can see whole picture,because jense was their last hero before hamilton,and now he is forgotten,mclaren always said that "both drivers will be equal" than why hamilton is not considering heikki,may be either he thinks fin is not talented enough or he knows that those kind of statements are only for media..