The Senna Factor

Last season of Formula 1, we had an exciting season filled with anticipation, drama, rivalry, and spy scandal. The 2007 season marked the end of the Schumahcer era, and on to the newcomers of Formula 1. Newcomers like Lewis Hamilton, Sutil, Heiki and also Vettel. The rookie who made the most impact in 07 season was no doubt it was Lewis Hamilton.

I can attest 100% that he deserved to be crowned the rookie of the year award if anything. Lewis is only 22 years old, but he drove like he belong in Formula 1 in recents years. He had the speed, and consistency of a veteran world champion. He stormed in the Formula 1 community like a category 5 huricanne. He just got in to a car even if it was the best car and he drove it flawlessly. He drove with consistenly speed that it upset the balance in the team.

Alonso was suppose to be given the world championship treatment when he got to the team, but in reality it was not the case. Ron Dennis allowed a rookie to compete against the supreme driver in Formula 1 at the moment and the rookie held his ground firmly. Lewis battled his team mate with ferocity of a lion, and they fought tooth and nail right at the bitter end. The competition was so intense inside the team that one was provoked enough to go out to the media and slander the other driver and the team.

That was Alonso who ranted and raved about the favoritism about Lewis was getting the better treatment. I do sort of feel for Alonso because he was supposed to be the leader who would take his Mclaren team to the top again because in 2006 season, Mclaren suffered their 2nd win less season. So for Alonso his job was to get the team up to speed and start winning races again. Alonso did just that, he came in with a lot of knowledge of how to set a car for the optimum performance for every race track in the F1 calendar.

This was the one of the many skill that Schumacher had and that's why he won so many races. What Lewis Hamilton did was absorbed all of this and made it one of his own skill set. Alonso was dismayed at having to compete with a shadow because once Hamilton knew about the set up for his car; then it was just a matter of driving fast and consistenly. The team allowed Lewis and Alonso to share telemetry so that the Hamilton could learn from the master. When Schumacher was racing he didn't allow his teammate to see his telemetry or even steal his set up for his car.

Obviously the point I'm trying to make here is this nostalgic rivalry between great drivers. This was not the first time Mclaren had the very best driver occupying both cars. Ayrton Senna and Prost were the best drivers in 1980's and they were driving for the same team. Obviously Mclaren made the same mistake to have the 2 best drivers in F1 in 07. Having the best drivers in your team is very detrimental because one will say the team favors the other if he can't win and same can be said vice versa.

Winners are ego maniacs and they deserved to have the greatest car at their disposal. If the car was sub par then he will obviously not tolerate mediocrity. Just like when Alain was the world champion at the time of Senna's arrival. Surely they will favor the champion but no, Mclaren went ahead and put their faith in Senna. Alain was distraught over the fact that he gave the team a lot and in return he gets nothing for it. Just like Alonso giving the knowledge and experience he had for the team and it all went to the dumpster because the team chose Hamilton.

At the end of the day Mclaren can't keep both drivers, so Alonso is off to Renault where he has the number one status and the Hamilton stays at Mclaren. Same with Alain Prost when he decided to leave Mclaren for Ferrari and Senna stayed at Mclaren. Only time will tell if we get more of those reminiscent duels that all the fans longed for in Formula 1.