Where does Nico Rosberg go from here?

[Jag_Warrior]

Maybe you're right , Jag , that it doesn't matter at the end of the day whether the Stetson you end up wearing is black or white , but rather if if it says #1 on it .

What I don't particularly like like here is that Lewis , like a few others , is pushing it too far here .

I guess it's a clever gambit , however , because he's figured out that he's got a free pass to do it because he team mate can never make formal protest .
All he has to do is take his scolding behind closed doors , with a little wink when he leaves .


It's the catch 22 for Nico , that he can't protest .
And , it's that fact that has been the Achilles heel for him , I think .
It would sure yank my chain if I were in his shoes , because I've seen lots of guys , including Lewis , allowing room for the others and not pushing people off .

You can race both hard and cleanly .


One last point that bugs me is that Lewis doesn't have to do stuff like this .
He could still win with a white hat .

Not that I'd claim to understand Hamilton's psyche, but who is his idol? Senna. The same guy who b!tch slapped Eddie Irvine and put a finger in a young Michael Schumacher's face to establish an alpha male dominance. And who brought Lewis over to Mercedes and has been his mentor while there? King Rat, Niki Lauda - another dominant alpha male type. How has Hamilton always treated teammates who were (perceived) threats to him, even in junior formulas? Not kindly - even if they were a double world champion. Everything about him says "black hat". He even tends to sport the black Mercedes cap after the races. I think that's just who he is. But I don't think of Lewis as a true alpha male, dominant type. He seems more passive aggressive. Unlike Lauda and Senna, he's not an "in your face" kinda guy... more a sucker punch kinda guy - more like Vettel, IMO. But he's only out to win and takes no prisoners. I don't see much difference between Hamilton and Vettel, personality wise (on track).

Thinking back about the world champions over the past 25-30 years or so, I can think of only three who seemed to fit the mold of "nice guys": Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen and Jenson Button. To varying degrees, all of the rest of them had some degree of a-hole about them. Piquet, Prost, Senna, Mansell, Schumacher, Villeneuve, Alonso, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Vettel... For better or worse, the days of the gentleman driver in F1 seem to be behind us. I think Lewis' disrespectful attitude toward Rosberg is simply a reflection of that, plus who he has idolized and what gets him what he wants. He doesn't see Nico as an equal by any means. And now, I don't think Nico sees Nico as an equal - which is what Hamilton wants. That's just like how Vettel wanted it with Webber.

The only current driver that I can think of who could probably put up with Hamilton and not be sucked into his psychological games... and even win a psychological war against him: Daniel Ricciardo. He's a real life version of Bugs Bunny. If Lewis had tossed that cap to him, he'd have probably put it on backwards, leapt up, done the cabbage patch dance and kissed Lewis on the cheek... while telling him that he better savor #3, cause he would be wearing the crown next year. But Nico? No, by his reaction, it's clear that Lewis has now taken up residence inside his head. And Lewis is not a good tenant to have living inside one's head - just like his idol and mentor weren't.

[Zico]

Interesting that Kimi seems to be of the same opinion as Nico , wanting some clarity about whether it's ok to push people off track , sliding down the inside .
Having tried it down the inside of Bottas last race , and was obviously told that he must leave room for another car outside.

Yes, it was dirty and at the time I was disapointed with Lewis for it. I hoped he'd show a bit of class and let Nico past again but I guess he didn't feel like that after Monaco and Spa... which I can also understand. How destructive to Nicos psyche would it have been for Nico though if Lewis had done the right thing, showed real sportsmanship by letting Nico past again then gone on to beat him? Something to think about Lewis.

Regarding it being ok to push people off the track.... the big difference is that Kimi/Bottas aren't team mates so rightly or wrongly they look at a bit differently like its an internal team matter. I'm struggling to remember the last time someone was punished for causing a collision/forcing a team mate off the track. Was Rosberg punished by the Stewards at Spa? I don't recall that being the case.

[Storm]

He looks tired and shattered after this.

He is lucky he has a Merc so he still has a theoritical chance next year (not!)
we had this discussion earlier too, and I and many others said that Nico is now mentally broken, but some disagreed(Mark was it you?)

[steveaki13]

You wonder if Ferrari improve for 2016 and can sometimes races Mercedes and push for the title. If so Lewis v Nico could hand Seb the title. I mean he dominates v Kimi whereas Nico on form can take stuff off Lewis.

If it was close would they back Lewis over Nico I wonder?

[henners88]

You wonder if Ferrari improve for 2016 and can sometimes races Mercedes and push for the title. If so Lewis v Nico could hand Seb the title. I mean he dominates v Kimi whereas Nico on form can take stuff off Lewis.

If it was close would they back Lewis over Nico I wonder?

I think Mercedes would be pretty stupid not to back lewis in a situation like that. He has after all won three world titles and they know how good he is when everything is working in his favour. Nico has made quite a few errors when under pressure these last 2 seasons and usually when Lewis is breathing down his neck. Hamilton is the stronger driver of the two and has proven this now.

[Big Ben]

Anyone else tired of the Hamilton - Senna comparison? Give me a break already. I wonder if Senna would have liked it to be constantly paired with this guy.

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[Bagwan]

Nah, I think it's just that you don't particularly like Lewis. Can't ever really remember you complaining about another driver.



Well I'm ok with this cos you seem to have a good sense of justice and you're consistent. That's why you were so cut up about Monaco 2014 too.

Oh, wait...




I haven't seen any footage myself yet, but if Lewis has really forced Nico off track then he does kinda need to cut it out. Would really rather it wouldn't be like that. Just goes to show that even with a driver I like, no-one's utterly spotless. Even though in generally I find him one of the more honest and guileless people compared to most, which is kinda why I like him.

However I need to satisfy myself first that any criticism is valid rather than just biased people with a personal dislike just trying to find any way to put Lewis down, to the point of making something out of nothing. If someone like Jens for example comes on and says he ain't happy about turn 1, I'd pay more attention to him. Peace and good day then.

So , "like a few others" isn't including any others ?
Max V. would be one who Kimi complained about . But , I guess I didn't actually mention his name , did I ?

And Monaco '14 was nothing like this . Don't blur the point .

Nobody is utterly spotless , it's true , but this is consistent behavior , and as far as I'm aware , against the rules .
He get's away with it because his team mate is handcuffed , whereas Kimi gets told you must leave room , and is punished .


I am getting a little tired of having Hamilton fans tell me that it's only because I hate him that I see his driving the way I do .
Wake up , Mr. Betty .

[henners88]

Anyone else tired of the Hamilton - Senna comparison? Give me a break already. I wonder if Senna would have liked it to be constantly paired with this guy.

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I am too to be honest. I think many people get lost in the fact Senna was a very good driver who had flaws and wasn't actually Jesus Christ. I was lucky enough to see Senna on track and I have seen Hamilton. They have both won 3 WDC's and have driven for McLaren, that is about it.

It does make me cringe when people say 'how can you mention Lewis or any other driver in the same sentence as Senna', like nobody is allowed to be worthy. Unfortunately Senna dying gave birth to a romantic legend for F1 but there are some of us who remember him as a very talented f1 driver who had an attractive personality and ego. Senna was far from the perfect F1 driver however and this is probably something he has in common with most champions. Personally f I was in Hamilton's position I would want people to compare drivers to me, not me to drivers of the past. They have their own legacy.

[henners88]

I am getting a little tired of having Hamilton fans tell me that it's only because I hate him that I see his driving the way I do .
Wake up , Mr. Betty .

You've made your own history here Bagwan so you can't blame the perceptions others have of you. I remember back in 2010 when Vettel and Hamilton went side by side down the pitlane in China. Seb swerved and tried to push Lewis towards pit crews and hanging air lines above the pit boxes. You had no problem with that behaviour because Lewis was on the receiving end. It was that argument with you and how you conducted yourself that soured my view of you and something I will never forget.

Since then you have sided against in every single incident lewis has been involved in. You don't like Hamilton at all and make no mistake of siding against him at every possible opportunity regardless of how mild. If Lewis had thrown a hat at Nico on Sunday, you would be here saying how childish it was. At least as a Hamilton fan I can see the good in Nico and acknowledge certain incidents are read wrong in the heat of the moment.

[Bagwan]

Not that I'd claim to understand Hamilton's psyche, but who is his idol? Senna. The same guy who b!tch slapped Eddie Irvine and put a finger in a young Michael Schumacher's face to establish an alpha male dominance. And who brought Lewis over to Mercedes and has been his mentor while there? King Rat, Niki Lauda - another dominant alpha male type. How has Hamilton always treated teammates who were (perceived) threats to him, even in junior formulas? Not kindly - even if they were a double world champion. Everything about him says "black hat". He even tends to sport the black Mercedes cap after the races. I think that's just who he is. But I don't think of Lewis as a true alpha male, dominant type. He seems more passive aggressive. Unlike Lauda and Senna, he's not an "in your face" kinda guy... more a sucker punch kinda guy - more like Vettel, IMO. But he's only out to win and takes no prisoners. I don't see much difference between Hamilton and Vettel, personality wise (on track).

Thinking back about the world champions over the past 25-30 years or so, I can think of only three who seemed to fit the mold of "nice guys": Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen and Jenson Button. To varying degrees, all of the rest of them had some degree of a-hole about them. Piquet, Prost, Senna, Mansell, Schumacher, Villeneuve, Alonso, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Vettel... For better or worse, the days of the gentleman driver in F1 seem to be behind us. I think Lewis' disrespectful attitude toward Rosberg is simply a reflection of that, plus who he has idolized and what gets him what he wants. He doesn't see Nico as an equal by any means. And now, I don't think Nico sees Nico as an equal - which is what Hamilton wants. That's just like how Vettel wanted it with Webber.

The only current driver that I can think of who could probably put up with Hamilton and not be sucked into his psychological games... and even win a psychological war against him: Daniel Ricciardo. He's a real life version of Bugs Bunny. If Lewis had tossed that cap to him, he'd have probably put it on backwards, leapt up, done the cabbage patch dance and kissed Lewis on the cheek... while telling him that he better savor #3, cause he would be wearing the crown next year. But Nico? No, by his reaction, it's clear that Lewis has now taken up residence inside his head. And Lewis is not a good tenant to have living inside one's head - just like his idol and mentor weren't.

I can't disagree with much of that , Jag , though , I think there have been a few times that Nico has been inside Lewis's helmet , too .
I don't think Lewis is in the same league as most of the dominant ones you mentioned , though , but he's found an issue has really gotten to Nico .
It's his kryptonite , and now that he's seen it take a title away from him , he should face it up , and make some stern inquiries with Charlie , to find out what is really allowable and what is not .