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[CookinFlat6]

I'm hoping for Nico and Lewis to be fighting tooth and nail while keeping it sportsmanly. Too much?

You mean you hope for Nico to fight tooth and nail while keeping it sportsmanly

We all know that a Lewis 'weakness' is his sportsmanship and almost naive trust that others do the same

I think Nico has already proven that he will do just that, when ordered to keep position he complained but obeyed, unlike the lame snakes out there who would look to cheat and take advantage of the good nature of the chosen one

[sagi58]

It's a pity is wasn't the Schumacher of his first F1 stint. We'd see just how good Rosberg really is or isn't depending on your point of view.

We're seeing it now, Lewis is as good a benchmark as any....since he doesn't have tailor made tyres, a Ferrari team which bows down to his every beck and call, and a lapdog teammate to boot.

So... why was Rosberg told to back off and let Hamilton get the win?
Oh, yeah, wait... technico/mechanico thing-a-ma-giggers!!

Could you point out this race please? I don't recall anything like that, except Malaysia where Lewis was going for a podium and Brawn told both drivers to just bring the car home...

Especially considering that Rosberg did overtake Hamilton TWICE only to be re-overtaken and then the call comes in telling both guys to stop risking the result. There's no "Oh look Nico, you're our No.1B driver but still No.1!! You're still important, but I don't want any FRONT running....find a guy and block him from our No.1A, tq". Totally different kettle of fish.

The point I was trying to make is that Brawn "did" issue the order! If I remember correctly, Hamilton was "embarrassed" on the podium and, when interviewed, Rosberg stated he did as he was told.

Listen, it's obvious that team orders exist, regardless of the language being used.

[CookinFlat6]

Giving team orders in a race after allowing both drivers to race is a totally different proposition to having 1 driver go to the back of the grid just to give his number 1 another place, or ruining his own quali lap to give his owner a slipstream, or jumping out of the way whilst team orders were illegal

Massa knows his place, he is picking up his cheques, has no ambition and doesnt complain, unlike Webber.

None of this applies to Rosberg, however as a team player 92 points behind the WDC leader with 9 races to go,( he needs to score 10 more than Seb EACH race) if we see him playing similar team games, it wont be because he is a gutless paycheque driver, but a sensible and noble team player

[Hammer278]

Giving team orders in a race after allowing both drivers to race is a totally different proposition to having 1 driver go to the back of the grid just to give his number 1 another place, or ruining his own quali lap to give his owner a slipstream, or jumping out of the way whilst team orders were illegal

Massa knows his place, he is picking up his cheques, has no ambition and doesnt complain, unlike Webber.

None of this applies to Rosberg, however as a team player 92 points behind the WDC leader with 9 races to go,( he needs to score 10 more than Seb EACH race) if we see him playing similar team games, it wont be because he is a gutless paycheque driver, but a sensible and noble team player

Thanks, saves me typing it up.

[sagi58]

Giving team orders in a race after allowing both drivers to race is a totally different proposition to having 1 driver go to the back of the grid just to give his number 1 another place, or ruining his own quali lap to give his owner a slipstream, or jumping out of the way whilst team orders were illegal

Massa knows his place, he is picking up his cheques, has no ambition and doesnt complain, unlike Webber.

None of this applies to Rosberg, however as a team player 92 points behind the WDC leader with 9 races to go,( he needs to score 10 more than Seb EACH race) if we see him playing similar team games, it wont be because he is a gutless paycheque driver, but a sensible and noble team player

First, if you're referring to Massa's penalty at last year's US Grand Prix, you'll remember that he was way out of the running for the WDC, just as Rosberg is with his 92 point deficit. So, not much difference in what team orders asked of either of them, except that Rosberg was given the order fairly early on in the season.

Secondly, it's not like Massa doesn't know the score, is it? He signed on the dotted line, so it's not like Ferrari promised him something they haven't delivered. Calling him a "gutless paycheque driver" is quite harsh, when he's actually a team player who knows what his role is in the organization.

Ferrari doesn't play mind games with either driver, nor with fans; however, I would suggest that any team in their position/situation would probably do the same thing.

Seems to me, it's simply a difference in philosophy. Period.

[CookinFlat6]

Its a difference in employment contract. Rosberg has no number 2 written into his, and Massa does

[geetface9]

Can we call a truce on the potential #1 and #2 debate until at least after monza??

[andrew]

Can we call a truce on the potential #1 and #2 debate until at least after monza??

That'll depend on who you side with.

[geetface9]

Can we call a truce on the potential #1 and #2 debate until at least after monza??

That'll depend on who you side with.

Indeed!

[What's Burning?]

An "in hindsight" observation.

Given the Red Bull's performance in Singapore. (well Vettel's RB9) The performance in race was in a different planet, but as I said, in hindsight, Vettel was so sure of the car, that he didn't even go out for a second run in Q3, he was from the get go expecting to slaughter the competition and with that time he put up?! It wasn't an unrealistic expectation. He got out of the car and didn't put up a second run, he was THAT confident, think about that.

So it brings me to Rosberg's lap, We know the Mercedes is a fast car in qualifying, but Rosberg's lap to nearly match Vettel's RB9 by less than a hundredth now seems to be one of the finest pieces of driving we may have ever witnessed in recent history.

[geetface9]

outstanding point!

[CookinFlat6]

Especially when you look at the onboard, with Nico ragging the car to within an inch of its life, and Seb on rails, on the power early, staying within the curbs, very tidy, no hint of slip or oversteer.

Over the past couple of seasons, Lewis in particular has been very vocal and incredulous about how Sebs Red Bull can take certain corners without lifting etc. This prompted a visit to the RBR garage at one race

It reminds me of Senna listening to MS' car around a corner and suggesting TC. Ofcourse we later found out that only the MS Benetton had TC on its menu, but never used apparently

[Hammer278]

He was always going to be a loser when paired with Michael....if Schumi had beat him "hahaha Rosberg beaten by an Old Coot"....instead he flattened Schumacher 3 years running "Big deal, Schumacher's an Old Coot".

Finally he's got a real benchmark and holding his own very well. The only issue with him is a lack of fight when he's stuck in the midfield, Hungary being an example. In terms of speed, he's easily up there with the best.

[racechick]

I think he's one of the only ones out there who , most things being equal, could run Lewis close over a quali lap. Agree about his pace during races, sometimes hast quite got the fight. I'd put my money on Lewis not Nico to drag it through the field a la Silverstone. But fantastic pairing and I think he's made a few people reconsider their initial assessment of him.

[racechick]

Ps. And I like his style. No bitching, no moaning, no whining, no backstabbing, no politicking. My kind of guy!