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die hard doonhamer

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58 minutes ago, scottsdad said:

On the Hamilton/100 thing, it is a bit easier for him than for past generations. We're pushing 22/23 races a season these days. 20 years ago a season was 16/17 races. back in the 60s it was 7 or 8.

Of course, but he also has the third highest percentage wins behind only Fangio and Ascari (Jim Clark in 4th). Though had he not returned for three winless seasons at Mercedes, Schumacher would be ahead of him.

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It's almost as if being parachuted straight into one of the top cars on the grid, before whisking yourself away to the most dominant car in the history of the sport, would explain those numbers. Schumacher's car was nowhere near the fastest on the grid in seven of his first nine seasons. 

The most significant feature of Hamilton's career has been exceptional management when it comes to getting the right seat at the right time. That's not meant to be a criticism but it simply explains why the likes of Alonso have ended up with only a fraction of the success. He burned bridges when he shouldn't have done and then picked project teams that failed to deliver on their promises to him. It's also arguable that Hamilton and his entourage have deliberately cleared the stables of any rival in the same car after that Alonso season which cost both of them in the end. There can't really be too many other explanations for why Bottas has been able to stink the place out for so long - that's all part of the sport as well. 

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The only other recent driver who could have done the 100 is Schumacher. A few things went against him here - the shorter season lengths, for one. Schumacher did 14 seasons and retired (before his ill-fated comeback years later). Hamilton is on his 15th season. 

Most important though is that he didn't always go to the best car. In 1996 he could have went anywhere. Stayed at Benetton, gone to McLaren...and he would likely have won more races and championships before 2000. Instead he took on the project at Ferrari that took 5 years to come to fruition. 

I'm not detracting from Hamilton. He is one of the very best ever, no doubt. But when the sport management try to big up things like this 100th win when in reality other drivers would never have had the chance to do it (Schumacher aside), it feels hollow to me. 

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On 27/09/2021 at 12:06, virginton said:

It's almost as if being parachuted straight into one of the top cars on the grid, before whisking yourself away to the most dominant car in the history of the sport, would explain those numbers. Schumacher's car was nowhere near the fastest on the grid in seven of his first nine seasons. 

The most significant feature of Hamilton's career has been exceptional management when it comes to getting the right seat at the right time. That's not meant to be a criticism but it simply explains why the likes of Alonso have ended up with only a fraction of the success. He burned bridges when he shouldn't have done and then picked project teams that failed to deliver on their promises to him. It's also arguable that Hamilton and his entourage have deliberately cleared the stables of any rival in the same car after that Alonso season which cost both of them in the end. There can't really be too many other explanations for why Bottas has been able to stink the place out for so long - that's all part of the sport as well. 

I wonder what Russel has been told his role will be? He already looks a better driver than Bottas and he's going to Mercedes to win a world title. I wonder if it's a case of "2 or 3 seasons as rear gunner, then it's your turn" once Hamilton retires. 

Assuming the 2022 Merc is up to it, that is.

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23 races + 7 sprints on the cards for next season. They also have to finish the season earlier than usual because of the World Cup.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12425698/stefano-domenicali-exclusive-f1-boss-on-2022-and-plans-for-sprint-to-fill-one-third-of-calendar

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On 04/10/2021 at 13:31, Sherrif John Bunnell said:

23 races + 7 sprints on the cards for next season. They also have to finish the season earlier than usual because of the World Cup.

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12425698/stefano-domenicali-exclusive-f1-boss-on-2022-and-plans-for-sprint-to-fill-one-third-of-calendar

Not overly keen on more sprints - they feel like races you're just getting into and then stop. The faster cars migrate to the front so it reduces the drama for a Sunday.

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