Ron already sees LH able to take FA's place if needed

[ioan]

Welcome to McLaren Fernando! From very appreciated Renault driver you become a dispensable McLaren driver.

"Lewis can win a race if we have a competitive car over the season. He wants to win, and he never gives up. It's going to be difficult to beat Fernando but we'll see. Lewis needs to apply himself and if Fernando is hampered, I can see him taking his position.

"In general, in his first year, if there is a level playing field, can a young driver beat the world champion? No. But I think he might be able to do it in those circumstances,"

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...980890,00.html

[janneppi]

My gods, Dennis is obviously going to kick ALonso out after the first race!!!

"Is he faster than Fernando? He had some great races in GP2 last year, but it is extremely difficult for any driver in his first year to be outright more competitive than the current world champion. Never say never, but history shows that it is unlikely he will have the outright pace to beat the champion, and I know that is not Lewis's expectation."

Ioan, what on earth do you expect Dennis to say, we hired a rookie that will never, in any circumstances be able win our other driver?

[ioan]

It's not bad to talk up a bit a rookie's capabilities, but saying he could take uo a WDC's position if needed might be a tad to much, or maybe it is usual in McLaren land!

[ArrowsFA1]

Lewis needs to apply himself and if Fernando is hampered, I can see him taking his position.

I suspect all that RD means is that if LH applies himself he may soon be on Alonso's pace, therefore competitive with him in the races, therefore if Alonso is hampered (= retires from the race for any reason) then LH will be close enough to pick up those points.

If you see it any other way I'd suggest you are a regular critic of Ron Dennis

[Big Ben]

Welcome to McLaren Fernando! From very appreciated Renault driver you become a dispensable McLaren driver.



http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...980890,00.html

oh man! you are twisting things around again... what do you think? Mclaren is not Ferrari! Mclaren has 2 drivers! They should both have the opportunity to win if capable. What's wrong with that! you have started a thread about MS not having the no 1 status at Ferrari but all of a sudden RD becomes the big as@@@le because FA and LH are given the same chances at the beginning of the season. Isn't it interesting how you can appreciate a driver when this is necessary in order to bash RD. This proves one thing... You hate FA but you hate even more RD... just another proof that RD is a great man!

[ioan]

All I was hinting at is that Hamilton is the favorite driver at McLaren now. I did not criticize anyone.

[ioan]

oh man! you are twisting things around again... what do you thing? Mclaren is not Ferrari? Mclaren has 2 drivers! They should both have the opportunity to win if capable. What's wrong with that! you have started a thread about MS not having the no 1 status at Ferrari but all of a sudden RD becomes the big as@@@le because FA and LH are given the same chances at the beginning of the season. Isn't it interesting how can appreciate a driver when this is necessary in order to bash RD. This proves one thing... You hate FA but you hate even more RD... just another proof that RD is a great man!

And who's twisting the things? And when had McLaren to equal drivers?!

[luvracin]

Welcome to McLaren Fernando! From very appreciated Renault driver you become a dispensable McLaren driver.



http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...980890,00.html

I think you're making too much of it. He's saying that in a race, if Alonso is hampered(ie: not running to full pace for whatever reason), then it's possible for Hamilton to overtake him.

[Big Ben]

And who's twisting the things? And when had McLaren to equal drivers?!

Most of the time. When didn't they?

[EuroTroll]

Ioan, are you taking some medication by any chance? : I've found your posts in the last few days to be disturbingly strange.