Where does Nico Rosberg go from here?

[jens]

I don't see Ferrari employing two Germans. And I don't see Rosberg leaving Mercedes anyway, because there is no better place for him to be. It may be hard to beat Hamilton, but it is going to be harder in other teams and in inferior cars.

Only possibility is if Mercedes wants to take on a "challenge" and hire either Ricciardo or Verstappen (or Alonso) to see if either can take on Hamilton. Though top teams often like "stability", so from Merc' point of view there may not be much of a reason to go for another driver as long as they keep winning.

[dj_bytedisaster]

I don't see Ferrari employing two Germans. And I don't see Rosberg leaving Mercedes anyway, because there is no better place for him to be. It may be hard to beat Hamilton, but it is going to be harder in other teams and in inferior cars.

Only possibility is if Mercedes wants to take on a "challenge" and hire either Ricciardo or Verstappen (or Alonso) to see if either can take on Hamilton. Though top teams often like "stability", so from Merc' point of view there may not be much of a reason to go for another driver as long as they keep winning.

They won't. Earlier this year, when the Hülkenberg-to-Ferrari rumours were still flying, Arrivabene stated categorically that Ferrari will not hire two drivers of the same nation unless they are both Italian.

[henners88]

Hamilton needs to stop partying now he's won the WDC and get his focus back on F1. The off season has plenty of time to celebrate.

[Bagwan]

Hamilton needs to stop partying now he's won the WDC and get his focus back on F1. The off season has plenty of time to celebrate.

Yes , of course it's not about Rosberg upping his game , but rather more about Lewis dropping his .

[Jag_Warrior]

Hamilton needs to stop partying now he's won the WDC and get his focus back on F1. The off season has plenty of time to celebrate.

Yes , of course it's not about Rosberg upping his game , but rather more about Lewis dropping his .

I think you're both right. Bragging about how much he's been drinking and admitting that it was the jet-setting and partying that wore him down, all that should tell Hamilton to get it together. He can claim to hold Senna as his hero. But Senna never took his eye off the prize. And I believe that Senna would have used this opportunity to complete the job of crushing Rosberg's spirit, establishing himself as the undisputed #1 within the team. Instead, Hamilton kicked Rosberg, made him mad and then let him get back up. I'd say that Rosberg has never been emotionally stronger. He's now beaten Hamilton two races in a row, heads up - no luck involved. I can't remember the last time that happened.

Not that my opinion matters, but I suggest that Lewis remember Vettel's prophetic words from a couple of seasons ago: "...this may not last forever."

[henners88]

Yes , of course it's not about Rosberg upping his game , but rather more about Lewis dropping his .

Personally I think it's a bit of both.

[Nitrodaze]

Kimi's contracts is only for next season, so Ferrari could lure Niko. But could he beat Vettel in similar machine? If Honda gets their act together, mac could be an option?

Rosberg leaving Mercedes for any other team would be the clearest acceptance of defeat. With that mindset, l doubt he would fair any better against Vettel, and certainly much worst against Alonso. Besides, he is in the best car and the best team on the grid, why on earth would he want to move to a less performing team?

From Mercedes, they have exactly what l would call the dream driver lineup. Both capable of driving within a hundredth of a second off each others best times. Both capable of winning races when the other is not able to, for whatever reason. With this sort of lineup, one has to be really daft to change a winning formula such as this. Mercedes are where Ferrari and Williams like to be with their driver lineup. Hence Mercedes do not need Ricciado or Verstapen at this moment. I think Verstapenn would be great for Merc in 2 years time, roughly 2018.

[Bagwan]

Personally I think it's a bit of both.

Good .

[Bagwan]

Rosberg leaving Mercedes for any other team would be the clearest acceptance of defeat. With that mindset, l doubt he would fair any better against Vettel, and certainly much worst against Alonso. Besides, he is in the best car and the best team on the grid, why on earth would he want to move to a less performing team?

From Mercedes, they have exactly what l would call the dream driver lineup. Both capable of driving within a hundredth of a second off each others best times. Both capable of winning races when the other is not able to, for whatever reason. With this sort of lineup, one has to be really daft to change a winning formula such as this. Mercedes are where Ferrari and Williams like to be with their driver lineup. Hence Mercedes do not need Ricciado or Verstapen at this moment. I think Verstapenn would be great for Merc in 2 years time, roughly 2018.

Rosberg's cheaper , less hassle , and would have won without Lewis in the way , so should it be "Where does Hamilton go from here ?"

[henners88]

So do we forget Hamilton has won the world championship this year, his second in a row and start hailing Nico as the better driver because he's won a couple of races? He has certainly had the better of Lewis in qualifying this year but considering the superiority of the car he has not beaten his teammate and was in danger of losing second place in the WDC only a couple of races back. Last year there were too many instances where Lewis forced Nico into mistakes, out breaking himself under pressure and I think mentally lewis has had Nico covered this past 2 years.

Nico could win the last race by 10 seconds+ but it means nothing. He needs to beat his teammate over the course of a season and needs to be winning from the early part of next season in order to give himself a decent chance. Nico needs to stay at Merc and so does Lewis.