Why hamilton is so good at overtaking

[PlatinumZealot]

I was just suprised to learn, that Hamilton would be the "most expirienced KERS user" as we had two McLarens with KERS-no?

HE had 5 retirements to Lewis' 3. I wish I could find the laps completed over 2009 though; but I think it's safe to say Hamilton is the most experienced the KERS users. I remember him using it to such a good effect that the reactions from commentators, drivers and the media would let you think that Hamilton was the only man on the field using it!

[andrew]

Massa will be experienced in KERS also.

[wesley123]

He uses cheat codes

I thought that was Alonso

:lol

[spinmastermic]

He uses cheat codes

I thought that was Alonso

:lol

To get your team mate to crash; up,up,down,down,A+B,Start

To get your team mate to move over; up,down,up,down,A+B,Start

To ride your team mate like a sledge; left,right,left,right,X+Y,start

To make Petrov crash; A,B,X,Y,start
(Think he forgot that one)

[raymondu999]

I thought you just typed in "felipebabystaycool" or "quickerthanfelipe"

[andrew]

No, you type "Santanderpaysthebills"

[Giblet]

No, you type "Santanderpaysthebills"

You don't get a large bank sponsoring you regardless of team unless you are quite good. I would take that as a mark of pride if I was Alonso, as I am sure he does.

[SiLo]

At the end of the day, Hamilton and Kobayashi are probably the two best overtakers (my opinion) in formula 1 currently. Even Alonso sometimes disappoints me, and don't even get me started on Vettel! XD

[raymondu999]

With all of this though, we have to also factor in qualifying. (I must add a note first. I'm not saying Hamilton or Kobayashi necessarily apply)

For example, if we have drivers underachieving their cars' potential in qualifying, then they'll be probably quicker than the cars in front. Like we saw in Sepang 2010. The McLarens+Ferraris underachieved in qualifying (not necessarily due to driver mistakes, but we have to admit that they underachieved) and so in the race they made up lots of ground.

If you're high up, the cars in front of you are (usually) an awful lot quicker as well. If you qualify on pole, too, there's no way you can demonstrate that you can overtake. If for example an f1 noob watched Spa in 2010, without any other prior knowledge of F1, Hamilton would not seem like an astounding overtaker. Or Alonso in Singapore 2010. Or Webber in Monaco 2010. And the list goes on.

My point being, sometimes the fact that they can overtake so well, kind of (sometimes, anyways) brings up the question, "they had the pace to do that in the race, where was that pace in qualifying?"

Just my 2 cents

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Your 2 cents became 4 cents Raymondu

+1

[Mystery Steve]

Can someone explain to me what "experience" is needed to press a button while driving in a straight line?

[Giblet]

Can someone explain to me what "experience" is needed to press a button while driving in a straight line?

This is so true. Anyone can press a button, and they will be told by their engineers and their telemetry where the best spots on the track are to press the button. The system won't operate under 100km IIRC and would pointless as the cars are already limited with the power they can put down anyways.

[ringo]

With all of this though, we have to also factor in qualifying. (I must add a note first. I'm not saying Hamilton or Kobayashi necessarily apply)

For example, if we have drivers underachieving their cars' potential in qualifying, then they'll be probably quicker than the cars in front. Like we saw in Sepang 2010. The McLarens+Ferraris underachieved in qualifying (not necessarily due to driver mistakes, but we have to admit that they underachieved) and so in the race they made up lots of ground.

If you're high up, the cars in front of you are (usually) an awful lot quicker as well. If you qualify on pole, too, there's no way you can demonstrate that you can overtake. If for example an f1 noob watched Spa in 2010, without any other prior knowledge of F1, Hamilton would not seem like an astounding overtaker. Or Alonso in Singapore 2010. Or Webber in Monaco 2010. And the list goes on.

My point being, sometimes the fact that they can overtake so well, kind of (sometimes, anyways) brings up the question, "they had the pace to do that in the race, where was that pace in qualifying?"

Just my 2 cents

Well he wasn't on poll in spa, and he has actually overtaken faster red bulls a couple times.
Sometimes it's not the car's speed but the situation. Take the almost complete overtake on webber in Singapore, and those in Australia. The overtake on Alonso at canada as well. the driver has to be opportunistic and look for lapses in concentration. A faster car may have a driver who loses focus on a restart or in a hair pin or chicane, where the car's pace may not matter so much.

[ajdavison2]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJxtiNo ... grec_index[/youtube]

Just found this, now I'm no Massa fan, but this takes some bottle to keep your foot in it at those speeds through Eau Rouge, personally find it quite impressive.

Edit* for the people who say Massa can't overtake, I am admittedly one of those people. So my apologies to Massa

[andrew]

No, you type "Santanderpaysthebills"

You don't get a large bank sponsoring you regardless of team unless you are quite good. I would take that as a mark of pride if I was Alonso, as I am sure he does.

Still can't avoid that Sandtander were instrumental in Alonso's move to Ferrari. Sandtander would not be happy for Ferrari to not have him in front of the other driver.