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That's a bit too fatalistic for me. The Ferrari is the stronger package but only by a small margin and having 7 consecutive flawless weekends where you don't screw anything up AND don't get unlucky with weather or safety cars is actually unlikely. There is also the possibility that Mercedes will regain the upper hand in development. We shouldn't assume that the matchup will remain static. Certainly there are 1 or 2 races remaining where Mercedes will likely have the better package on the day.

I agree that Vettel has enough time left to regain the lead and win the WDC if he can eliminate unforced errors moving forward. I just think that Hamilton will have a fighting chance to win a lot of races from here on out as well. The Ferrari's advantage isn't so extreme as to make it impossible for Lewis to win unless Ferrari screw something up. Either Lewis or the Mercedes team can make the difference on the day (much like they did in Italy).

Above all else, the margin for error for Ferrari has gotten a bit thin. One more big mistake will put the first nails in their coffin. A DNF for Vettel combined with a Hamilton win would basically put the championship to bed.

If Vettel had a car advantage maybe, but since it's the other way around and Merc has proved that Bottas will be used I find it a zero chance for a Ferrari/Vettel chance, this is signed and sealed

I guess you weren't around in 2007. That was also apparently signed and sealed for Hamilton with only 2 races to go. Vettel's chances are diminishing with every passing race, right now i'd give him maybe a 5-10% chance, but it's not over until the maths say it is.

If Vettel had a car advantage maybe, but since it's the other way around and Merc has proved that Bottas will be used I find it a zero chance for a Ferrari/Vettel chance, this is signed and sealed

Let's not forget, Lewis is where he is not because of a now arguably better car, but because of Seb's multiple mistakes when Seb was in the faster car, and Lewis's pretty much exemplary performance. You can only attribute 7 points to the team orders, what about the other 43?

I agree. It starts to look a lot like 2017. Ferrari and especially Vettel are in the process of throwing away yet another title. This time last year the points gap was "only" 34 when it is now 50, even when Ferrari have had a relatively faster and more reliable car this year than they had last year. Where it has been coming down to I think is that this is one of Lewis' best seasons while it is one of Vettel's worst.

Seb will have to be hoping he has at least 1 DNF to have any chance of turning this one round

If Vettel had a car advantage maybe, but since it's the other way around and Merc has proved that Bottas will be used I find it a zero chance for a Ferrari/Vettel chance, this is signed and sealed

I agree. It starts to look a lot like 2017. Ferrari and especially Vettel are in the process of throwing away yet another title. This time last year the points gap was "only" 34 when it is now 50, even when Ferrari have had a relatively faster and more reliable car this year than they had last year. Where it has been coming down to I think is that this is one of Lewis' best seasons while it is one of Vettel's worst.

I agree. It starts to look a lot like 2017. Ferrari and especially Vettel are in the process of throwing away yet another title. This time last year the points gap was "only" 34 when it is now 50, even when Ferrari have had a relatively faster and more reliable car this year than they had last year. Where it has been coming down to I think is that this is one of Lewis' best seasons while it is one of Vettel's worst.

Let's not forget, Lewis is where he is not because of a now arguably better car, but because of Seb's multiple mistakes when Seb was in the faster car, and Lewis's pretty much exemplary performance. You can only attribute 7 points to the team orders, what about the other 43?

2017 - Ferrari could have won
2018 - Ferrari should have won

Posted: 01 Jul 2018 06:36

Is it too early to call 2019?

I have no inclination to believe anything other than another Hamilton title.

Correctly predicted on



Well done Hamilton. Vettel must try harder.

Or Red Bull better give Verstappen a fast car in order to get some real fireworks. The current Hamilton - Vettel rivalry is a bit too bland to my liking, too much respect between the two (which is not too bad in itself) but not so much competition, more like a fight where everybody anticipates an inevitable Hamilton victory.

Correctly predicted on



Well done Hamilton. Vettel must try harder.

Or Red Bull better give Verstappen a fast car in order to get some real fireworks. The current Hamilton - Vettel rivalry is a bit too bland to my liking, too much respect between the two (which is not too bad in itself) but not so much competition, more like a fight where everybody anticipates an inevitable Hamilton victory.

...and he never won another title.