Has Lewis broken Nico?
Discussion
Early days I know but I can't help feeling that Nico's just not on it this year.
Last season, his trump card was qualifying but Lewis seems to have worked that one out and his demeanour is lacking that feistiness that made the season last year so intriguing.
As I say, too early to read too much into this but will be interesting to see this develop.
Last season, his trump card was qualifying but Lewis seems to have worked that one out and his demeanour is lacking that feistiness that made the season last year so intriguing.
As I say, too early to read too much into this but will be interesting to see this develop.
Absolutely, Nico seem's to be so focused on what Lewis is doing he's no longer racing his own race.
Totally over thinking it, Lewis has definitely got into his head which is a tad ironic as it always came across to me like it was nico trying to play mind game's.
Not a Lewis fan but he really seems in the grove this season so far whereas Nico seems to be a bit awkward.
Totally over thinking it, Lewis has definitely got into his head which is a tad ironic as it always came across to me like it was nico trying to play mind game's.
Not a Lewis fan but he really seems in the grove this season so far whereas Nico seems to be a bit awkward.
Mermaid said:
They have to work together to keep the Ferraris at bay.
Given the body language and lack of eye contact between Hamilton and Rosberg yesterday in that room they go to just before the podium, then I'd say that working together would be the last resort Maybe it's too early into the season to talk about the way the two of them feel about each other, but I'm surprised that the TV commentators didn't mention it (unless I missed it).
I think it's a bit premature to be writing him off.
He seems to have huge confidence issues when he's behind but this early in the season it would only take one DNF or stupid tactical decision by Hamilton on a circuit where Mercedes are dominant to put him in front and I suspect that would do a lot to pick him up, mentally.
Perversely, I think Ferrari genuinely catching up with Mercedes would give Nico a greater chance of winning the title than Mercedes being dominant simply because it would introduce a greater random element. If Mercedes aren't being pushed, I think it's much less likely that Hamilton will make the mistakes that Rosberg seems to need in order to keep his confidence.
He seems to have huge confidence issues when he's behind but this early in the season it would only take one DNF or stupid tactical decision by Hamilton on a circuit where Mercedes are dominant to put him in front and I suspect that would do a lot to pick him up, mentally.
Perversely, I think Ferrari genuinely catching up with Mercedes would give Nico a greater chance of winning the title than Mercedes being dominant simply because it would introduce a greater random element. If Mercedes aren't being pushed, I think it's much less likely that Hamilton will make the mistakes that Rosberg seems to need in order to keep his confidence.
Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 19:51
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kambites said:
I think it's a bit premature to be writing him off.
He seems to have huge confidence issues when he's behind but this early in the season it would only take one DNF or stupid tactical decision by Hamilton on a circuit where Mercedes are dominant to put him in front and I suspect that would do a lot to pick him up, mentally.
Perversely, I think Ferrari genuinely catching up with Mercedes would give Nico a greater chance of winning the title than Mercedes being dominant simply because it would introduce a greater random element. If Mercedes aren't being pushed, I think it's much less likely that Hamilton will make the mistakes that Rosberg seems to need in order to keep his confidence.
No, with Ferrari and eventually maybe McLaren up there near Mercedes, Rosberg has much more chance to be caught up in traffic, as he was this weekend, highlighting his inferior overtaking skills. He seems to have huge confidence issues when he's behind but this early in the season it would only take one DNF or stupid tactical decision by Hamilton on a circuit where Mercedes are dominant to put him in front and I suspect that would do a lot to pick him up, mentally.
Perversely, I think Ferrari genuinely catching up with Mercedes would give Nico a greater chance of winning the title than Mercedes being dominant simply because it would introduce a greater random element. If Mercedes aren't being pushed, I think it's much less likely that Hamilton will make the mistakes that Rosberg seems to need in order to keep his confidence.
Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 19:51
Lewis traditionally has a brain fart or two every season along with a mid season slump. That'll be Nico's chance to claw back some confidence and points unless his confidence is totally shot and Vettel/Raikonnen are on fire and end up seperating the two Mercs further and further in points.
London424 said:
I said on another thread but the 'no coaching' over the radio has killed him.
I think he takes instruction very well and when told exactly what to do he's as fast as Lewis.
Now he can't be told he's back to that 2/3 tenths a lap slower.
I agree. I can't remember if it was in qualifying or the race, but Rosberg was on the radio to the pits asking for information and his engineer replied "Coaching is not allowed", and a couple of times in the race he asked for information and sounded a bit desperate.I think he takes instruction very well and when told exactly what to do he's as fast as Lewis.
Now he can't be told he's back to that 2/3 tenths a lap slower.
There is no way Lewis would have let Seb off the hook at the 1st corner like Nico did, If the Ferraris do prove a real threat then Merc may reduce him to a support role.
I wonder if fixation in beating Lewis is getting to him to the extent of holding back Information.
Funny that with Lewis missing out all the long run data in the 1st session when the temp was high they had to rely on Nicos feedback , This turned out to be off when it came to the race.
I wonder if fixation in beating Lewis is getting to him to the extent of holding back Information.
Funny that with Lewis missing out all the long run data in the 1st session when the temp was high they had to rely on Nicos feedback , This turned out to be off when it came to the race.
I think he concerns himself more with trying to finish and get points rather than trying to win the race. I can see why, as it's a decent strategy for himself and the team, but the problem is he's not aggressive enough when he needs to fight others off. A driver more than a racer and probably a good bridesmaid
I dont agree.. Compared to last year Lewis was better than Nico on the first 3 races so i believe its still early days. Last year Lewis had engine problems in Australia which meant that Nico got a jump on him points wise. Lewis won Malaysia and then Lewis won China, but Nico was much stronger in China and would have competed for the win imo had he not had a spin in the final (rain) session of Q3.
What I have seen so far is that Nicos long run pace is actually much much better this year and his fuel consumption has been as good if not better than Lewis, these were lewis trump cards last year. On the flip side, lewis does seem much more confident and his Qualifying runs have shown that.
It will be an interesting year but I think Nico will be strong again this year. What could make the difference is that Nico got under Lewis skin last year Spa/Monaco, but I think watching qualifying in Malaysia made me think he's going to be abit firmer with Nico. I think Nico will have races where he is strong and Lewis will have races where he is strong, overall I just think Lewis is a better driver and will come out on top.
Also to mention, I said after the first race in Australia that had Vettel not got held up in traffi he may have been pushing for the win, in Malaysia they showed there true pace although i think Mercedes made it easy for them, again in China I think Ferrari can be pushing for a win.
What I have seen so far is that Nicos long run pace is actually much much better this year and his fuel consumption has been as good if not better than Lewis, these were lewis trump cards last year. On the flip side, lewis does seem much more confident and his Qualifying runs have shown that.
It will be an interesting year but I think Nico will be strong again this year. What could make the difference is that Nico got under Lewis skin last year Spa/Monaco, but I think watching qualifying in Malaysia made me think he's going to be abit firmer with Nico. I think Nico will have races where he is strong and Lewis will have races where he is strong, overall I just think Lewis is a better driver and will come out on top.
Also to mention, I said after the first race in Australia that had Vettel not got held up in traffi he may have been pushing for the win, in Malaysia they showed there true pace although i think Mercedes made it easy for them, again in China I think Ferrari can be pushing for a win.
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