Possible theory time... In 2014 Rosberg generally beat Hamilton in qualifying and then would more often than not lose out in the race. Even accounting for 'bad luck' Rosberg at worst matched Hamilton in qualifying. Last season Ros was on average 0.187s ahead of Ham in Quali, this season he's 0.415s behind. You don't get points for quali so I've started to wonder if Rosberg has gone with the same thought, compromising his quali setup to try and improve his race pace. Last season this didn't matter and no one could get close to the Mercs in quali or the race, this season however Ferrari are capable of getting in the way for both. Hamilton has undoubtedly been holding back in the races so far, by how much is hard to tell but looking at China as an example he unleashed a mighty pace when needed. Could Rosberg be denting his own confidence by sacrificing his quali pace? Or is it just a case of Hamilton being scarily on it at the moment?
Anybody notice Lewis and Nico were using fuel at the same rate yesterday. Something Lewis was better at last year.
Yes, I was noticing that too... I wonder if that's why he is a bit slower this year? Maybe lifting and coasting a bit more? I dont know..Maybe someone will have a better understanding.
I think Rosberg is trying too hard to copy Hamilton's way of driving. It looks like he's trying to adopt the same philosophies that made Hamilton successful last year, I.E the fuel usage and sacrificing qualifying for the race. But it's not working for him, he needs to repeat what he did last year when approaching the race weekend because so far this year he has taken a step backwards.
Yeah but going wide to let Raikkonen through without a fight? They won't be dancing in the streets of Wiesbadon tonight will they?
I'm sure you're right about the street dancing nDG! Rosberg's brake problem occurred on approach to the corner, with the result that he missed turn-in and ran very wide of the apex. After regaining control, a driver must re-enter the fray in a safe and predictable manner and Räikkönen was already much faster and clearly committed. Rosberg has come in for criticism (not least from me) regarding his defensive abilities – but not on this occasion.
I take it back, owing to my weekly duty of cooking the Sunday roast, I didn't watch the interviews and missed the fact that both Mercedes had brake problems at the end. Whatever the cause, it worked well for Hamilton with Vettel not on the podium and Rosberg "only" third. Lady Luck is of course very fickle.....
Mika Salo a designated number 2 driver saying exactly what Rosberg said after China. There is your proof @38 seconds.
I can't see why Rosberg would suddenly just accept that he's a number two driver. Unless he's been promised that Hamilton is off at the end of the season perhaps.
If Hamilton Wins the WDC, and he's not tied down to any contract and Kimi isn't "re-signed" with Ferrari, you think Ferrari would not look at pairing a 3x champion with their current driver who's a 4x champion? They can afford it.. would make one hell of a team, and we'd finally get to see how good both are... But.. I think Hamilton agrees deal with Mercedes for at least another 2 years with an option for a 3rd.. By 2018, McLaren and Honda are on the ball, he goes back there to emulate his boy hood hero and wins a WDC for Mc/Honda, retires a happy man with his dogs and music! I've obviously had too much cheese for lunch!
Ha! I'm pleased to see what I came here to say has already been pre-empted. I just popped in to muse over how history will portray the Alonso/Hamilton/Vettel period. In 2008 we were served a great aperitif and first course but this era may be reflected upon with a sense of 'what might have been' if we never get the main course: Alonso v Hamilton back in the same team again. Here are three factors which colour my personal opinion: 1] Hamilton relishes the idea. 2] Alonso does not, and in his quest for a third title, may well hold a veto on who he is teamed with. 3] Ferrari do not have a history of allowing full battle between their drivers and tend to prefer more harmonious, less explosive pairings.
lol, I was going to say something about 'New Ferrari' and had the taken same part of Cosi's post. Ferrari needed to modernise their thinking, I think they've needed a behind-the-scenes overhaul for decades, the Brawn/Schumacher years just papered over some cracks caused by the ingrained political nepotism
Here's hoping he can reform the team from top to bottom. It's been in need for a bloody long time now.
Anyone considered that the one of the reasons Hamilton is waiting on the contract is because he is demanding No1 driver priority status?
