Posts by Michael Diaz4

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head there. Honestly, anyone stepping into a Mercedes seat who actually brings some consistency could walk away with a title. That’s why they don't need two massive egos fighting for dominance under one roof... Now we just wait and see if Rosberg finally decides to speak his mind and tell us what he really thinks.

steelmaker83 said:Oh, come on. Lewis Hamilton is such a green kid. He’s the type who would let himself get provoked and just leave fifty million bucks sitting right there on the table. Seriously.

He’s just not a heavy hitter behind the wheel...

ruggedhawk20 said:Kudos to Matija. The man knows exactly what he wants and doesn't take any nonsense.

Urdan is doing big things with Ford.

He’s already taken the first major step. He didn't let Ford become a hostage to that parasite.

👍Exactly. A total parasite... Get a real driver behind the wheel and we'll be seeing championships again.

ruggedhawk20 said:What on earth do you want?

You got exactly what you were looking for. He's not on the payroll anymore.

Honestly, you guys didn't even need those polls. He just went ahead and proved he was a total crybaby on his own.

🙂

😁Spot on. Well written...

Tyler Bennett5 said:Don't go tossing Mansell's name around for nothing, and definitely don't drag him down to Lewis Hamilton's level.

👍 Spot on. That Briton was doing absolute miracles out there...

neonfox65 said:What does a gap even matter when Mansell proved you can still snatch a title later in your career if the car is actually decent?

Look, Mansell was a phenomenal driver who had plenty of championship shots earlier on. But honestly, you probably don't remember that because you weren't even born yet—not that you're claiming anything other than being a recent F1 fan. Unlike him, Lewis Hamilton never really had a shot at a title without having an absolutely dominant car under him. Even back then it was a struggle, and eventually, he just pulled away from Hamilton.

He’s just a worn-out driver that none of the big teams will ever... NO ONE...

ruggedhawk20 said:What kind of title is that!?!?

Nobody ever wins a championship after an eight-year drought.

The records show Hill from 1962-1968—that's five seasons without a title.

Lauda 1977-1984—six seasons without a title.

And Alonso already has an eight-year gap.

Even Schumacher's gap was twice as small—only four seasons without a title.

If Hamilton wins the title this season, he'll tie with Hill, not just in total titles, but by having the exact same gap—five years.

And that’s three years less than some hypothetical gap for Alonso.

Alonso's time is up. He's never going to win another title. History and statistics teach us that. And when you combine those two, they're usually right.

🙏 Super written...

vividlynx68 said:Felipe 🙏 🙏 🙏

🤣🤣🤣

Well, he doesn't even know which team he's joining yet because he's still undecided... Those are basically his only options left... or retirement...😁

neonfox65 said:Joe, come on, tell us how old Mansell was when he became champion?

You can't even Google that...🙄

mellowtiger83 said:Honestly, I’m perfectly fine with Lewis Hamilton taking second place. It actually bumped up the odds on him winning, which just means a bigger payout for me.🙂

Do you think you'll actually pull it off?😁 I put my money on Nico Rosberg...😁

gentlecobra23 said:I’m just a bit confused here. How could Lewis Hamilton have signed a release from Ford if he hasn't even reached an agreement with anyone yet? 😁

I just can't wrap my head around McLaren letting go of one of the top drivers on the grid right now. It doesn't make sense. I don't believe it. They probably won't offer him the massive paycheck everyone expected, and honestly, that'll likely be the end of it.

Lewis Hamilton could always potentially land at Williams, and they aren't looking too bad lately.😁

Sure, Williams is an option, but do they actually want him? They've got some pretty solid talent lined up already... And if he can't find a seat anywhere else, Marusia will always be there as a fallback.😁

vividlynx68 said:http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/f...r-8637550.html

It’s a solid analysis if you can read German. The consensus seems to be that Lewis Hamilton overplayed his hand. You can hear it in his recent interviews; he realized he messed up. He essentially slammed the door at Ferrari, got passed over by Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, leaving him with McLaren as his only real move—and now they have all the leverage in negotiations. 🍿

The real question is whether they’ll even take him back. He didn't exactly leave things on a high note there. He definitely overestimated his value, and I doubt anyone else will fall for that again. They'll offer him exactly what the market dictates. And let's be honest, it isn't just McLaren on the table...

Drew Bennett68 said:Break down this interview with Lewis Hamilton for me.

What should we be reading between the lines here?

He claims he has his pick of where to go next... then immediately pivots to saying his moves depend on market conditions. It’s a total contradiction. Then you have this female reporter suggesting "it would be lovely to see him on the grid again next year"... Hold on a second, Baton. Maybe he's looking at retirement, or perhaps heading to the US like so many other veteran drivers. He wants to win. He wants a championship. But if there isn't a team out there capable of giving him those titles, his options are slim. It's either the US or calling it quits. Finally...

steelmaker83 said:It feels to me like Fernando Alonso has already signed, perhaps some sort of preliminary agreement, but nothing is set in stone yet. McLaren seems to be waiting on the outcome of the Lewis Hamilton-Rosberg showdown. I have this gut feeling they’d love to pair those two together again, but obviously, Alonso isn't interested in that.

So, if Lewis Hamilton wins the title, he stays at Mercedes and Fernando Alonso moves to McLaren. If he fails, he heads back to McLaren, leaving either Mercedes or Formula 1 behind entirely.

And honestly, he should probably just leave Formula 1 altogether... We've had enough of him and his fan club. It's truly baffling how people keep insisting he's one of the greatest drivers ever...

William Bennett53 said:I don't think you quite get it. Fans have honestly grown tired of pointing the finger at Ferrari just because Alonso didn't clinch that title.

And then they'll just go looking for someone else to blame...😁

William Bennett53 said:Both Alonso and Vettel are going to do everything in their power to avoid being teammates. Honestly, I think whoever signs first will be perfectly fine with that, because I highly doubt they won't be making it a condition of their contract to stay far away from the other.

The real question is who’s actually going to want to sign Alonso when there’s such a massive pool of new talent coming up through the ranks. I mean, don't get me wrong, he'll find a seat—that's never been the issue. But he might have to settle for being something other than the lead driver. Let's be honest: teams aren't exactly handing out massive paychecks for a number two role, and we all know how much Alonso demands.

graniteharbor502 said:It would have been something if Jenson Button had actually stuck around. Imagine him still being there, giving the Spaniard a run for his money. 😁

It would be nice, and honestly, it wouldn't even be impossible...🙂

Roger Wright94 said:I can't believe it.
McLaren is just such an old-school outfit. It’s definitely structured around a clear hierarchy where you have a designated number one driver and then a number two.
Alonso will go looking for that Number 1 status wherever he lands. It’s just who he is. That's a given.

Besides, Jenson Button really needs a perfectly dialed-in car to perform at his best, and there is no way this new McLaren is going to be that kind of machine. Honestly? I think he’s overpaid, and my gut tells me this isn't going to end well for him.

It doesn't smell right, but then again, Alonso is way overpriced too... So we end up right back where we started.

graniteharbor502 said:It seems to me that Alonso only signed if he was guaranteed the No.1 spot.

We'll just have to wait and see if it works out for him... Maybe it will, but it depends entirely on which team he lands in and who his teammate ends up being...

steelmaker83 said:That's nonsense. Joining Ferrari should have been the pinnacle of Alonso's career. Sure, they haven't quite mastered building a truly competitive car lately (aside from a decent run back in 2010), but saying it's a good thing he's leaving Ferrari because he's moving down the ladder is just silly. Ferrari is an institution, regardless of everything else. And leaving them always feels like a step down.

Then again, a step down doesn't necessarily mean it isn't still a high-level, fast environment...

Ferrari represents the peak for any modern driver, and walking away from them usually means leaving money on the table, too...

William Bennett53 said:I don't know... Button isn't exactly at the height of his powers right now, and I doubt Alonso views him as a threat. I'd expect him to worry about protecting himself against Vettel or Hamilton, but I doubt he'll ask for Button to be moved out. It's a different matter entirely whether McLaren wants two veteran drivers in their "twilight years."🤷

I suspect he doesn't want him there because Alonso already showed he couldn't hold his own against the young lion Hamilton when he retreated under pressure... There won't be a return to the old days; the team won't want him anymore either.

Jason Campbell70 said:It's a shame.

Without Alonso, Ferrari would have struggled significantly over the last few years.
Just look at the results from Mass and Raikkonen, and it's all very clear.

Also—it’s obvious that only two drivers are really in the running as replacements.
Hamilton and Vettel.

As for Hamilton—he’s far too comfortable at Mercedes. The Mercedes is a space shuttle compared to the rest of the field, and it likely stays that way for several more seasons.
He has no reason to switch teams.

Then there's Vettel—Renault is struggling, they've lost Adrian Newey, and he's getting pushed around by the young Richard.
It'll probably come down to a choice between Ferrari and McLaren-Honda.
And if Honda doesn't build a monster engine, Vettel is heading straight to Ferrari.

Such a shame.
The dream lineup would be Hamilton-Richard.
Actually, I'd sign Hamilton-Bianchi right this second.

Or even... Hamilton-Kvyat. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

You're daydreaming way too much here...

wiredscout14 said:Ideal for whom exactly?

It honestly baffles me. After the eras of Botin and Montezemolo, you'd think Santander's driver wouldn't be acting this way. We're talking about a two-time world champion who's clearly terrified of a 50-50 teammate situation. 🙏

He’s always been wary of that. He knows he can't hold his own against the young lions anymore. At this stage in his career, the window for another world title is closed, no matter where he lands...

Making treatment "easier"...🙂

crimsonfox26 said:I wasn't even sure if it was actually a hemorrhoid, so I went on Google and apparently, it is.

Thanks so much!
I think something similar happened maybe two or three times before, but honestly, I never suspected it could be hemorrhoids. I guess I was just too young to even consider that this could be an issue for me.

It’s almost gone now, but do you still think I should go see a doctor?

Just go and let them give you some advice on what to do next...

Scott Martin51 said:How much does it cost?

And does the ointment just soothe the symptoms (swelling, inflammation, pain, etc.), or does it actually get rid of the hemorrhoids?

No ointment is going to make hemorrhoids disappear. It’s all symptomatic treatment—you're managing the fallout without touching the actual cause. There are plenty of good options out there, though. It's worth trying whatever worked for someone else, even if it doesn't solve the underlying issue of enlarged hemorrhoids.

David Collins77 said:Today is day two. The hemorrhoid is actually larger now, though the pain has subsided a bit. I actually managed to get some sleep last night, which was a huge relief compared to the night before. I suspect it might be a thrombosis, but I can't say for sure. I’m planning to wait until Monday to see if it finally starts to recede, but I’m honestly worried because this thing is as big as a walnut. What’s the deal if it really is a thrombosis? I’ve seen that a quick, supposedly painless surgical procedure at a clinic can fix it. But I’m curious—has anyone dealt with something this size? How long does it take for a massive lump like this to shrink back down? It’s truly enormous. I haven't even experienced anything this extreme during my worst flare-ups prior to surgery.
I think I'll try to hold out one more time and see if I can manage it through diet alone. I'm torn, honestly. On one hand, I could commit to a long-term dietary battle to keep things under control, but on the other, I could just go in for surgery tomorrow.
I'm genuinely wondering how much time it will take to subside because this one is massive. Looking at it, I feel like it’s never going to go back inside; it's just too large and firm.

That isn't going to just disappear on its own. You need to see a doctor; you're likely looking at surgery...

swiftmason25 As specified by:
It’s been three weeks since I had my 7HAL+6RAR procedure.

A brief history of the problem.

I'm 45 now, but this whole hemorrhoid situation actually started way back when I was only 22. It usually starts out as just a little stinging sensation, a feeling of heat down there, and then a few drops of blood...
I don't want to bore you all by repeating things that have already been said—there’s clearly a lot of shared experience here. Looking back over the last decade or so, it feels like these issues eventually progress to stage three. You get these bouts where the bleeding is heavier, then it settles down again, and honestly, you just kind of adapt to living this way. There’s that occasional, sharp, uncomfortable sting near the anus, but nothing too catastrophic. My doctor tells me it's incredibly common; most people deal with something similar at some point. The standard advice is always the same: move around more, eat better, sit less... and use ointments when things are still in the early stages. I tried Pilex once and it actually worked, but the second time around? Not so much.
I’ve always been someone who keeps things orderly. I stay in shape and maintain my ideal weight, no question about it. But my job? Well, that's a different story. Most of my workday is spent sitting behind a desk.

At the start of last month, I did some very brief, almost insignificant squats. Then, overnight, everything went south. My hemorrhoids flared up from stage two and three straight into stage four, with a 2/3 prolapse. It was sudden and honestly pretty overwhelming.
Right now, I’m pretty much incapable of doing anything besides taking tiny little walks or just lying on my stomach. I didn't waste any time, though—I immediately went online and started digging through this forum to look into every possible surgical option available.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone on this forum, especially to the folks over at Dreamland, and most notably to Michael Diaz4. His posts—and his entire journey—have been incredibly insightful. They played a massive role in helping me finally pull the trigger on my procedure. Honestly, Michael Diaz4 deserves a gold medal for this thread; the way he shares his experiences and stays so available to help others is such a rare, selfless quality. Thank you, Michael! 👍

I went in for an exam at a private clinic and saw that doctor mentioned earlier—"Dreamland"—and we’ve scheduled my HAL-RAR procedure for ten days from now. In the meantime, I've been working on calming down the inflammation using Medazol antibiotics and Daflon tablets (and, of course, some Proctolog ointment too).

The inflammation has finally settled down. My hemorrhoids have retreated back to stage three, and the prolapse has actually shrunk.

The surgical process and what follows.

I had my surgery at the Leptir Clinic. The accommodations were perfectly suited for recovery, and the nursing care was just as appropriate. The procedure itself was performed under full anesthesia and lasted about an hour and twenty minutes.
Like I’ve said before, for us guys, the biggest headache after a procedure like this is dealing with a painful, inflamed prostate. For those first three or four days, peeing is a total struggle. You feel that urge to go every thirty minutes or so. On top of that, once you get past day one, bowel movements become... interesting, to say the least. Because of that uncomfortable pressure in the rectal area, you constantly feel like you need to go. It’s vital that you don't strain or spend way too much time sitting on the toilet. If things move along naturally, then great—just let it happen! 😍 Just a heads-up: those last few brakes that usually help you hold things in aren't exactly working right now. So, for the first five days, I wouldn't suggest wandering too far from the restroom. There’s a very tiny window between that "I should probably go" feeling and the actual "okay, it's happening" moment, but honestly, you get used to the rhythm pretty quickly.

I’m still on the exact same regimen: a ten-day course of antibiotics and three months of Daflon. I've also got Proctolog and some Lidocaine gel to deal with. For the pain, they put me on Advil 600mg. Honestly? It made me feel completely drugged for about 24 hours, so I've been avoiding it. Luckily, the pain hasn't been too intense, aside from that prostate issue I mentioned before.
To make things move more smoothly, I’ve been advised to take two teaspoons of mineral oil before every meal. It basically lubricates the whole system, so everything just glides right through when it's time to go.

I’ve been dealing with this constant, moderate to fairly sharp pain right around the anal area and my tailbone. I’m guessing it’s from the instruments—specifically that tube they insert to hold everything steady while they hunt for the artery. It feels like the pressure just bruises the whole area. Massaging the spot and using cold compresses during those first five days really does the trick. It might look a little ridiculous to see a guy pacing around his apartment massaging his own tailbone, but honestly? It’s a lifesaver for the pain.

Like Michael Diaz4 once mentioned, if you're dealing with stage 4 issues (with prolapse), don't expect to bounce back in just a couple of days.
I'll be hitting the three-week mark post-surgery in a few days, and honestly, I wasn't even ready to head back to work until after day 20. Everyone's recovery is different. For me, it’s only now that I can sit for longer stretches without feeling that uncomfortable pressure.
That was my experience. My advice? Take care of yourselves, and if something feels off, get to a doctor immediately! 🙂

And hey, no need to thank me. It's no big deal to reply to everyone via DM. I'm truly glad you finally got rid of yours for good... Good luck, friend.🙂

Andrew Ramos38 said:I recently picked up some Unguentum cream
I haven't used anything for two years, which was a mistake
because lately, they've started itching constantly
I even thought there was some discharge, though maybe not, since there's no bleeding or much pain

I'm hoping this ointment helps
they are external issues

The itching can be manageable, but it can get irritating enough to keep you up at night. Discharge is definitely possible, so you have to keep cleaning up and using whatever cream works for you. For the specifics, go see a specialist and let them suggest a treatment plan. Good luck...😉

David Collins77 said:Here they are again, back in the worst possible state. To make a long story short, I had surgery at Leptir Clinic two and a half years ago using the Hal-RAR method. Things stayed under control until about six months ago. Then I went back for a checkup and did three months of Daflon, followed by 10 days of Medazol and some cream. They stabilized, but didn't disappear. After using the bathroom, I'd clean up, push them back in, and move on. But yesterday, they popped out like crazy and I can't get them back in. I didn't sleep all night or all day. It's a disaster. Everything is inflamed and sticking out, and the pain is maddening. I bought some Pilex for the first time to see if it helps, along with creams and other pharmacy supplies. Basically, it's total drama. I paid huge amounts of money for a surgery that ended up doing nothing. So now what? Do I go in for surgery again? My doctor told me we could repeat the procedure when I saw him 6 months ago, but now I have to pay all over again, endure insane post-op pain, and nobody can guarantee it'll work. This is beyond frustrating. How often do hemorrhoids come back after Hal-RAR? It says there's a 95% success rate. Am I just incredibly unlucky, or did the doctor mess something up?....
GOING CRAZY FROM THE PAIN
Michael Diaz4, you know a lot about Hal-RAR, and so does someone else...
What am I left with? Either live with this and suffer, or get surgery? I don't want either. I just want to be cured! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

Uh, this sounds like a tough spot to be in... I personally don't know anyone who had issues returning after a Hal-RAR treatment. From what I've read, only about 1% of people deal with recurrences because things get so complicated they basically turn into a scientific puzzle. At that point, you need deep investigation and a lot of patience, but it is fixable. My surgeon told me once that when a problem is neglected and escalates, even doctors start scratching their heads—it becomes a massive headache for them too. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate. You have to resolve this. That means surgery is likely necessary, and you might have to undergo the procedure again. If you aren't happy with the care you got, find a different doctor—someone with a better track record. I don't want to badmouth the guy who treated you, though; maybe your case just fell into that unlucky 1% where things got complicated. If you think the doctor is actually good and this was just a freak occurrence, then go back to him. Maybe you can even negotiate a discount. Honestly, I don't think money should be the main concern right now; getting cured is what matters, regardless of how many times you have to do it. Just remember—no matter how much pain you're in right now, the actual surgery is easier in the long run. After those first few days, the pain starts to subside (you've been through that already, so you know what I mean), and there's also that psychological relief knowing the suffering is almost over. I felt indescribably happy after my surgery, even during that first painful night at home, because I knew the end was in sight. I wouldn't second-guess the surgery itself. As for whether to stick with the same doctor, try to weigh your options. There might be better specialists out there, or maybe not. What stage are you at currently? If I understood you correctly, you're at stage four, where they don't really push anything back in anymore. Just go get the surgery. The pain sounds unbearable... Good luck, and please let us know how it goes.

Roger Wright94 said:I’m really curious about what happened with Hamilton after that incident!
Why did he officially retire, and why didn't he move up past 15th—or whatever position he was sitting in during the race?
Someone mentioned damage to the floor or something similar.

If there was serious damage that caused his performance to tank and eventually forced him to pull out, it’s entirely possible that Hamilton himself caused it by being reckless and pushing too hard on a shredded tire.

Right after the radio chatter suggested Hamilton was setting fastest laps despite the damaged floor... things just went south for him later on...

slybison8 said:This whole situation takes me right back to McLaren during the 2007 season and those massive blowouts between Hamilton and Alonso.

Back then, it was hard to pin down who was actually at fault. Plus, being a British outfit, McLaren was clearly biased toward Hamilton. We’re seeing a carbon copy of that dynamic play out this year with Rosberg, except now Hamilton is once again proving he lacks the integrity required to be a Formula 1 driver.

He shouldn't have gone straight to the media after a team meeting to air everything out. That’s what the Mercedes-Benz press office or team management handles. What he did was incredibly disrespectful. If we lived in an era where character mattered more than just bottom lines and profit margins, Hamilton would have been kicked off the team regardless of the cost.

Let’s not forget the root of this entire circus. The friction between him and Rosberg really ignited during that NBC interview before the race in Monaco. He played the victim—bringing up his childhood and implying he faced racial discrimination—while painting Rosberg as nothing more than a "privileged rich kid." He claimed he needed to win in Monaco specifically to show all those "rich kids" that those with less privilege deserve equal opportunities and rewards for their talent.

Naturally, Rosberg beat him in Monaco.

And here is the kicker: if any white driver had said anything remotely similar about Hamilton, or made even a subtle negative reference to race, we can only imagine the fallout. They wouldn't be allowed near a starting grid anymore.

Yet, nobody decided to seriously sanction Lewis Hamilton for that scandalous public outburst. That specific interview was the spark that started the war between the two Mercedes-Benz drivers, a war that has clearly devolved into pure hatred and resentment. It’s toxic for the team. It reminds me how Hamilton's behavior toward Alonso in 2007 set the stage for years of dysfunction at McLaren—problems they still haven't fully moved past.

Certain people and certain attitudes simply don't belong in sports. I hate to say it, but I’m increasingly convinced that Lewis Hamilton is one of those destructive personalities who has no business being in Formula 1, or in professional sports at all. Maybe he should try politics; he might find more success using the same tactics he uses to tear down his own teammates.

You're right. His character is non-existent; he’s basically a bully. As a smarter, better driver, Rosberg will eventually outclass him...

Timothy Castillo6 said:That massive stunt by André Lotterer ended exactly where it was supposed to. One lap. 🤣

WE NEED KAMUI BACK!

And why call it a stunt, God help us...? The guy is just adapting and getting used to an F1 car. He wasn't bad at all...

ruggedhawk20 said:You're contradicting yourself. First you say it was Rosberg's mistake, then you accuse him. But a mistake is exactly what clears Rosberg.

But this isn't about a mistake. This is about a cunning provocation to cause a collision so he can snatch points right out of Rosberg's pocket, leaving no proof of fault.

It's far from a simple error. It's a masterpiece. Malicious, certainly, but a masterpiece that will hand him the championship title.

It would be nice to see him win a championship as an intelligent driver for once...

stormybadger8 said:Which isn't really surprising given he barely drove any practice sessions because of that PU failure.
So, there was zero chance to dial in the car's setup, and on top of that, he was in a car cobbled together from old PU components that had already seen a few races...

Beyond that, something was fundamentally wrong with the car. There's no way everything was fine when he was losing that much time in Sector 2 while being mostly faster than or equal to Ricciardo in Sectors 1 and 3...

Well, that might be part of it, but you know how hard it is to set up a car for Indianapolis Motor Speedway... And again, Mercedes-Benz clearly had the best setup... You also have to consider that conversation (I think it was with Helmut Marko, after weighing in) at the end, where he mentioned having pretty heavy vibrations after driving 70% of the race—right on the edge of being undriveable. Plus, it was the end of the race, so there was no need to push those final laps; he wasn't under threat anyway...