F1 Fanatic

…so you think these guys will be the only forces over the next 9 years?

I think more likely Alonso could get 4, Vettel would do well to get 4 unless Red Bull dominate again, and I can’t see Hamilton getting more than 2 or 3.

Alonso: 4, possibly 5 if his form remains near to how it is at the moment.

Vettel: 4, he’s still young and got 2 under his belt already.

Hamilton: 3, doesn’t seem to consistently be on good form, though with the kind of pace this guy has I’d be surprised if he didn’t get at least 1 more WDC.

I’d guess Alonso 3, Vettel 4 (more time), Hamilton 2. It’s difficult to see beyond those three for the immediate future, but I’m sure someone new will come along to surprise us. Räikkönen could also win another title if he gets a fast enough car.

Hamilton will probably be a 2 time or 3 time world champion. Vettel can quite frankly get 5 titles if not more. He is much more consisent when he gets the best car. He is bound to get the fastest cars at Red Bull or Ferrari (where he will probably end up in the future). Alonso will probably win 2 more titles. So 4 at most for him. Can’t see him carrying the same speed as today for more than 3 years.

I was interested in doing this thread myself, but I’m happy that someone’s done it for me!

Usually, the best way to predict the future is to look at what’s happened so far, and make a prediction of how this era will ultimately end. Thus far, Vettel is 25 and has competed in 94 races. Hamilton is 27 and has competed in 104 races and Alonso is 31 and has competed in 190 races; as Alonso is quite a bit older than the other two he enjoyed a great deal of success before Hamilton and Vettel were even in Formula One.

Disclaimer: I know that what’s happened in the past isn’t necessary a correct indicator, I just want to list some facts to compare these 3 top drivers.

Nonetheless, by far the most logical way to statistically compare the three men is by Vettel’s base and what he’s accomplished so far as he is the youngest and least experienced. He has entered 94 grand prix weekends so far so let’s compare than to Lewis and Fernando’s 94 first GP’s.

Sebastian Vettel
2 Driver
2 Constructors
22 Victories
40 Podiums

Lewis Hamilton
1 Drivers
0 Constructors
17 Victories
48 Podiums

Fernando Alonso

2 Drivers
2 Constructors
17 Victories
42 Podiums

In terms of statistics thus-far, Vettel and Alonso are neck in neck after 94 race weekends; both had won 2 WDC’s and WCC’s at that time. However, Vettel had 5 more wins and Alonso 2 more podiums; overall Vettel is slightly ahead of Alonso, and both are ahead of Hamilton by quite a margin.

@raymondy999 – I included victories. Podiums in general means you’ve finished in the top 3 and got to spray champagne.

That being said. I predict that all three of them will likely retire at the age of 35 or so. Alonso will be 35 in 2016 and that’s when his Ferrari contract runs out, Hamilton in 2020 and Vettel in 2022. Then, when it’s all said and done I predict this will be what each one of these three men will have accomplished (estimations);

Vettel
5 Championships
70 Victories
140 Podiums
90 Pole Positions

Hamilton
2 Championships
40 Victories
100 Podiums
45 Pole Positions

Alonso
4 Championships
45 Victories
120 Podiums
35 Pole positions

Vettel is 25, and he’s already third in the # of pole positions at 33. If he races competitive for another decade he’ll have 80-90 poles easily IMO. Ayrton Senna had 65 pole positions but his career was only 10 years and 161 GP’s long. Vettel will likely drive much longer than that.

This pole position record is Vettel’s now, there’s no way he’s losing it. Hell, if he races until he’s 37-39 then I wouldn’t be surprised if his # of pole positions becomes a 3-digit number (100+).

In terms of wins however, I can’t see anyone surpassing Schumacher. His stats are just too good.