Are we seeing a Vettel era?

[rfs]

If Hamilton has already resolved his issues (I'm not saying he hasn't; nor am I saying he won't) and is back to his magnificent 2007/2010 self then yes, I completely agree. If not, I can see the same picture sans Hamilton.

On a sidenote; if Hamilton's car numbers from 2009 to 2012 are anything to go by (1, 2, 3, 4) then in 2013 he could go on to become the new Red 5

Didn't Vettel have the red 5 in 2010?

[raymondu999]

Yep- Vettel was Red 5 in 2010.

[PlatinumZealot]

Hamilton's talent has been over-glorified, reality is that he performed worse than Button in 2011.

A rookie beating a 2xWDC is over glorified? It has never happened in history...

2011 was just a shocker of a season for Hamilton: a rubbish season filled with crashes, penalties, personal problems, car problems, team problems, frustrations over Vettel running away with the title and he could do nothing...As Jay-z said, 99 problems and bi** was one too!

It's as clear as day Button did a better job. Like Jack and the Beanstalk, he stole the bag of gold while the "Giant" was distracted.

People here talking about Hamilton and Vettel as teammates. haha.. why? What is so special about being Hamilton's teammate?

[raymondu999]

To say Hamilton is over glorified is probably way off the mark. In terms of sheer driving speed and overtaking talent; Hamilton is one of, if not the; best out there. Hamilton isn't what I would personally call a "complete" or "all-round," F1 driver; but as a driver; you'd be hard pressed to find a better man. And I say this even though I wear a different driver as my avatar.

Has Button beaten him this year? Undoubtedly he has. Fair and square. Is Button driving beautifully, and probably at a level above what he has ever done in the past? Undoubtedly. Unfortunately I still cannot bring myself to say that an on-form Button can beat an on-form Lewis.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

To say Hamilton is over glorified is probably way off the mark. In terms of sheer driving speed and overtaking talent; Hamilton is one of, if not the; best out there.

C'mon. He isn't over glorified? Then you call him the "best".... Button out pointed him over a season, who would have said that 24 months ago.
In my opinion, Vettel would over a season, dismantle Hamilton. Hamilton displayed some worrying characteristics in 2011 when under the cosh....

[raymondu999]

I agree with your conclusion. But agai, like I said; in terms of speed and overtaking. Not in terms of mental strength; strategic thinking, etc. His troubles this season haven't really been an inability to overtake; or lack of speed - it's been more mental setbacks in his head.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Hamiltons overtaking wasn't a plus point. His speed was there in flashes, but overall I think Button did a great job of exploding the Hamilton myth...

[Gerhard Berger]

I don't think one season can prove or disprove anything - even the best drivers can have bad seasons and get beaten by their teammate (remember Alonso in 2004?).

I prefer to judge a driver based on his whole career, and on form Hamilton is one of the best out there along with Alonso and Vettel.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Yes, he still Lewis Hamilton at the end of the day, but his "invincibility" reputation was smashed in 2011.

[ell66]

Hamiltons overtaking wasn't a plus point. His speed was there in flashes, but overall I think Button did a great job of exploding the Hamilton myth...

And what "myth" is that exactly?
Hamiltons problem is that he's a winner, had he just accepted he didn't have the car to beat vettel he'd of trounced jenson just as he did last year, unfortunately he pushed to hard at times when he shouldn't of. Couple that with bad luck and personal problems and there's the reason he didn't have the best season, funny thing is with all that said had button and hamiltons crash/result in Canada been reversed (which is easily could of been) then lewis would of beaten him,despite jensons so called great year.

We'll see next year, I still stand firm that with the same cars youd have hamilton and alonso and then the rest.

[jamsbong]

I agree with your conclusion. But agai, like I said; in terms of speed and overtaking. Not in terms of mental strength; strategic thinking, etc. His troubles this season haven't really been an inability to overtake; or lack of speed - it's been more mental setbacks in his head.

I disagree. LH had put himself into a lot of trouble because of bad judgement on when to overtake throughout 2011 season. Monaco, Massa vs Hamilton over and over again. All these could be avoided if he was on form mentally. Remember, 2011 was probably the easiest year to overtake with aids from DRS and tyres.

The on form example of LH was in Germany where he was so good that he make it seem like it is too easy. If I only know LH in 2011 and have no information about his pass success, for sure, I consider him over-glorified.

Until he can demonstrate that he can recover and become championship material again, instead of just saying "I'll always come back stronger...", I see him as a spoiled kid with too much support from Ron Dennis and Anthony.

[raymondu999]

Ummm... You just agreed with my point. I said his problems weren't driving, they were mental.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

And what "myth" is that exactly?
Hamiltons problem is that he's a winner, had he just accepted he didn't have the car to beat vettel he'd of trounced jenson just as he did last year, unfortunately he pushed to hard at times when he shouldn't of. Couple that with bad luck and personal problems and there's the reason he didn't have the best season, funny thing is with all that said had button and hamiltons crash/result in Canada been reversed (which is easily could of been) then lewis would of beaten him,despite jensons so called great year.

We'll see next year, I still stand firm that with the same cars youd have hamilton and alonso and then the rest.

The myth that Hamilton is unbeatable.
I also think the example you used is wrong. Hamilton was not the only driver racing Vettel, button(in the same car, no less) was also racing Vettel so far as I can remember... An he still beat Hamilton.
Hamilton aficionados can clutch at many straws, button still beat him fair and square.

This is not a slur on Hamilton, but high praise for button. Indeed next year may well be different, but button now has a foothold at McLaren.

[CHT]

Yes, he still Lewis Hamilton at the end of the day, but his "invincibility" reputation was smashed in 2011.

definitely a big blow for his ego. does LH still holds any record in F1 after this year?

[raymondu999]

Hes started most races, for drivers who've only driven for 1 team

To be fair, I don't remember him having records other than youngest WDC?