Quote Originally Posted by Duncan View Post
Did you see the NBC interview with Lewis after the race? I've never seen anybody looking so cheerful right after a mechanical retirement when he was positioned with a decent shot at the podium.

I have a theory: Lewis is cheerful because he's just realized that Vettel is now only trailing Nico by 8 points in the WDC. On the current development trajectory of Ferrari relative to Mercedes, even with the new Merc engine there's a pretty decent chance that Nico will get overhauled. Lewis' commitment to the team notwithstanding, that would make him very happy; every time a driver wins the WDC with a car seen as dominant, the charge will be thrown at them that they didn't "really" win on their own merit and "anybody would have won with that car". It's been thrown at Lewis before, Vettel many times in the RB days and at Jenson. If Nico doesn't take second place, though, that argument kind of comes off the table...
I really doubt that is why Hamilton is so cheerful. If there was a weekend that he could have chosen to retire throughout the season then I'm pretty sure he would have picked this one. By retiring this race, it means that Nico only gains 12 points versus the almost certain 25 at another track and now Vettel is in close proximity. What it does mean, should Vettel get even closer, is that Mercedes will probably have to back Lewis for the championship vs Nico otherwise they risk a 2010 scenario where Vettel may steal it again.

Honestly, I wouldn't be too concerned if I were the Mercedes. We'll know more in Suzuka and if this was a one of for the event and tires or if it is going to continue. I suspect it will not continue in Japan and they will be back on top, but it's no harm if Ferrari are a lot closer