Driver with most at stake in 2008?

[jas123f1]

I should say that Hamilton must (have to) show all his fans that it wasn't Alonso who made his first F1 season that impressive and if the car is good also Kova has to make a good result, win a couple of races or at least be on podium proximately as many times as Hamilton will do.

[markabilly]

But I will add the caveat that as long as RD is there, he will have a drive for life, in that sense, he has nothing to lose

[keysersoze]

I think Toyota's penchant for ending drivers' F1 careers, and the recent speculation about his seat makes Trulli's early '08 performances vital.

Bourdais has to have a clear edge on Vettel, and I think he must score regular points. After all, he has four CCWS titles and Vettel is 20 y/o and has under 10 starts.

If Fisichella gets the Force India drive, he has to not only beat Sutil, which is not a given, but he has to lift the team to get to Q2 5-8 times. That and 2-3 points-scoring results might extend his career.

McLaren in general have a lot to prove. Drivers with a combined two seasons under their belt--when was the last time that happened? Lewis, of course, has a lot on his shoulders, and Kova--OK, he beat Fisi; can he prove himself a top-line driver? He only has this year to do it.

DC is likely in his final season, and Webber has been generally quicker so I don't see a whole lot of pressure on Mark.

Nelson has to prove he can drive as well as he can talk about his driving. To have Alonso as his first teammate will be a nightmare. I'd be surprised if he ever makes Q3, while Fernando will be a threat for the first three rows.

[yodasarmpit]

I'd say Alonso and Hamilton.
Hamilton has to maintain the momentum from this year over into 2008 which will be a big task, his new team mate is going to be fast and just as big a challenge as Alonso was.

Alonso has it tougher, other than Renault who wants him?
His image is already severely tarnished, and he is up against another potential rookie star, that Ferrari drive may never materialise.

Weber is another, he really needs to pull something out in 2008, he has failed to impress for some time, he promised a lot but for me hasn't delivered.

[ShiftingGears]

Weber is another, he really needs to pull something out in 2008, he has failed to impress for some time, he promised a lot but for me hasn't delivered.

No way! He's been comprehensively faster than Coulthard and Rosberg and was on course to win at Japan. Webbers only problem is that the cars he has driven have been immensely unreliable.

[Valve Bounce]

I think that the pressure is on Rubens to prove himself next year, or he will be out of a drive.
Webber appears to be on a good wicket as he has been in good position many times only to be let down by Williams previously and now Red Bull. If the car hangs together, you can expect a lot more points from mark next year.
I don't know where Jr will be appraied because if he doesn't do too well against Fernando, his employer could actually be pleased.
I guess Bunsen is the one who will be judged kindly or harshly by the British Press who are fast losing patience. They have Hamilton to worship now, so if the bunsen doesn't burn up the track, they will roast him next year.

[CNR]

I think Lewis Hamilton may have a lot to lose if the McLaren-Mercedes 2008 car is a dog with out the parts that may or may not of had ]Ferrari data

Hamilton's hopes of winning the 2008 world drivers' title were also hit, with McLaren admitting that Ferrari ideas were used towards next year's car. They must now go back to the drawing board in an incalculable setback three months before the start of the season.

PARIS — Lewis Hamilton, rookie star for the McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 team this year, has had his driver license suspended in France after being stopped for speeding at 123 mph on the northern French A26 highway last weekend.

[F1boat]

I'd say Alonso and Hamilton.
Hamilton has to maintain the momentum from this year over into 2008 which will be a big task, his new team mate is going to be fast and just as big a challenge as Alonso was.

Alonso has it tougher, other than Renault who wants him?
His image is already severely tarnished, and he is up against another potential rookie star, that Ferrari drive may never materialise.

Weber is another, he really needs to pull something out in 2008, he has failed to impress for some time, he promised a lot but for me hasn't delivered.

You said it, man.

[samuratt]

Alonso has to prove that he is a good asset in terms of developing a car. If gets good results with the Renault he will forgot his nightmare seasson at McLaren.

Hamilton has to prove that he can be very fast without having Fernando as a teammate.

Kovalainen has got nothing to prove. He is there just to fill the second car, cause Hamilton's #1 status can't be at risk. All he has to do is finish behind him. I don't expect Ron claiming by midseasson something like "they were racing Heikki"

Honda, as a team, has a lot to prove too now that they have Ross on their side.

McLaren has a lot to prove. They lied about manny things last year, so I won't believe anything they say in 2008 (Ron Dennis in particular). In my opinion they should be out of racing next year.

[Garry Walker]

DC is likely in his final season, and Webber has been generally quicker so I don't see a whole lot of pressure on Mark.

Nelson has to prove he can drive as well as he can talk about his driving. To have Alonso as his first teammate will be a nightmare. I'd be surprised if he ever makes Q3, while Fernando will be a threat for the first three rows.

Webber has been quicker in qualifying only, in racepace they have been equal.

Nelson is known as a qualifying specialist, like Trulli and Webbo. He will give Alonso a lot of trouble in qualifying, so basically I think your prediction is ****.
In racepace I dont see him beating Alonso yet though. People inside F1 paddock, including some drivers think that Piquet will trouble Alonso a lot too, especially in qualifying. Piquet also has a talent for getting under the skin of others, he did it to Lewis in GP2 and seems immune to mind games and considering what LH did to Alonso last season, I can totally see him doing it to Alonso this year too. Watch out for this guy, he will surprise a lot of people.
I just hope Alonsos status as nr.1 in the team wont hurt NP too much.

Who have the most at stake?
*Alonso - He needs to regain his reputation, he needs to destroy Piquet jnr. People thought after Schumis retirement he was nr.1, but he sure didnt look like that last year . If Nelson matches him, his reputation will be shot.
*Hamilton - needs to beat HK bigtime, or his reputation as best talent since Schumi will suffer. Oh how I would love to see Retard Peter Windsors face, after his beloved Golden Boy who is better than Senna and Prost according to him, gets beaten by HK.

*DC, Fisi, Trulli and Barrichello all are already so old that they need to show a lot every year, they wont get a second chance again.

*Kubica. He started off really well in 2006, showed a lot of talent, but was a dissapointment last season. Needs to at least match Heidfeld, or I dont see BMW keeping him for 2009.