2016 Grand Prix of Brazil - Interlagos, 11-13 November

[mv71]

Loved Vettel moaning about Max pushing him off when he had done the same thing to Alonso...

I would say VET was more in front of ALO than VES was to VET. Just a feeling.

I would say every driver is moaning it when he has to drive off-track. That's standard now.

[Restomaniac]

Rosberg had great drives this season so I don't think a possible championship for him is based on luck. He is getting too much hate. But him crying about the race going on, saying 'how many crashes do they want to see' was a bit childish and immature. AND it is clear that Lewis is a better rain driver. Now let's hope for a clean fight in Abu Dhabi and see who comes on top.

Max, Perez, Nasr, Lewis, Ocon, Hulk drove so good today. And Fernando coming back to points from 17th is worth a shout I guess.

Lets flip this. Being honest put Vettel or Alonso in Rosbergs car and give them Rosbergs luck. Tell me you believe it would have gone to the last race.
In fact put a Hamilton clone in Rosbergs car and tell me the same.

A clean fight in Abu Dhabi in the Merc will mean a Merc 1-2 which means that the Hamilton engine failure HAS handed Rosberg the title because Hamilton will have out scored Rosberg since to no avail (Hamilton would be up 380 to 364 (16 points)). Then add in just how many problems he has had this year and it's clear how Rosberg has won it. Then we have Wolff going around begging drivers to not race them.

Hamilton could easily win 10(TEN) races and not win the WDC which would smash the previous record of 7 (He already has with 9 so far). If that is the case he will actually have beaten Rosbergs wins 10-9 in 2016 yet Rosberg is still going to be the WDC. THAT is damning and shows just where the unbelievable luck has been.

[TheGkbrk]

He was lucky, yes. But there are many championships in F1 that shaped around luck.
You can't blame Rosberg for being lucky, as the chance came, he was there to get the best out of it. And in some races Rosberg was faster than Hamilton fair and square.
There are still some luck to get or lose. Anything can happen in Abu Dhabi.

[Just_a_fan]

The redbull is definitely the better chassis on the grid under braking, traction, and cornering in the wet,

The Mercedes was quicker...Hamilton pulled away from Max after Max passed Rosberg. Hamilton was cruising at the front and still left Rosberg behind.

Can I borrow your telemetry eyes for winter testing next year?

If car A is in front of car B and the gap between them increases, then A is quicker than B. No telemetry required.

Can you share the telemetry you used to show that the RedBull chassis is better in braking, traction and cornering?

[Restomaniac]

He was lucky, yes. But there are many championships in F1 that shaped around luck.
You can't blame Rosberg for being lucky, as the chance came, he was there to get the best out of it. And in some races Rosberg was faster than Hamilton fair and square.
There are still some luck to get or lose. Anything can happen in Abu Dhabi.

No other driver in F1 history has got near winning 10(at least 9) races and still not win the WDC. He hasn't just been lucky though he has had UNBELIVEABLE luck.
From end plates into side walls causing no punctures to Red Bull naffing up on pit strategy 3 times recently to hand Rosberg second places. EVERYTHING that can go his way is going his way.

If the luck deserts him right at the end it won't change the fact that Rosberg has had amazing luck on balance throughout 2016. I'll say it again (I notice you did argue the point) that Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton in Rosberg's situation would have had the WDC sewn up already.

[Vettelswonmeover]

Max verstappen was something else. Driving an F1 car like a rally car. He basically destroyed Ricciardo. The way he caught the car and prevented it from hitting the guardrail was amazing. Going around the outside to pass guys like clockwork. 11 overtakes in 16 laps. The guy is a genius. Senna-esque.

A word of praise for Hamilton too. He was able to pull away from Verstappen. Probably the only guy who could beat Verstappen in the wet in a straight fight.

I am seeing a lot of Rosberg hate on the forum. I agree that he is not technically as gifted as Lewis or even Alonso, Verstappen or Vettel. But he has been consistent this season. He has beaten Lewis fair and square twice. He is playing a smart game. Do realize that he does NOT NEED to win. He needs to finish 2nd. His priority is to finish the race. No need to take unnecessary risks which is exactly what he did yesterday. People forget that he was able to match or beat Webber and Wurz in his Williams days. He was also the youngest driver to record a fastest lap in his rookie days. He may not be the best but he is nowhere near as bad as people are making him out to be.

He is a fully deserving WC. Give him his due credit. Look at Vettel for example. Best car and total team support (Istanbul Crash, Multi 21 etc.). Will you all say that he is undeserving? Id like to mention what Webber said in his autobiography. Vettel was under severe pressure to prove the success of the RB young drivers program. At that age and under that pressure he did reasonably well. 2008 Monza and 2014 show his driving skills. Even yesterday, Kimi crashed but Vettel managed to finish 5th even after a spin. Shows that he has decent skills.
Kimi in 2008 won only because Hamilton and Alonso crashed into each other. Does that make him an undeserving WC? Even Schumacher had the best car for 4 out of his 7 titles. But he has proved his worth hasn't he?

Car, luck and opportunity all make a champion. Appreciate that Rosberg had the ability to bounce back from 2 successive defeats to lead the WC now. Its not easy having Hamilton as your teammate. You need tremendous self-belief and a great mentality especially after back to back defeats.

[TheGkbrk]

He was lucky, yes. But there are many championships in F1 that shaped around luck.
You can't blame Rosberg for being lucky, as the chance came, he was there to get the best out of it. And in some races Rosberg was faster than Hamilton fair and square.
There are still some luck to get or lose. Anything can happen in Abu Dhabi.

No other driver in F1 history has got near winning 10(at least 9) races and still not win the WDC. He hasn't just been lucky though he has had UNBELIVEABLE luck.
From end plates into side walls causing no punctures to Red Bull naffing up on pit strategy 3 times recently to hand Rosberg second places. EVERYTHING that can go his way is going his way.

If the luck deserts him right at the end it won't change the fact that Rosberg has had amazing luck on balance throughout 2016. I'll say it again (I notice you did argue the point) that Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton in Rosberg's situation would have had the WDC sewn up already.

I am not arguing about other drivers being in his position but on paper I would call both VET and ALO better drivers (which can be questioned by some because we didn't see them performing in similar paced cars) than Rosberg which theoretically means that they would have secured the title in your scenario.
I can call Vettel lucky for not getting any damage on that first lap clash in Brazil 2012 or everything playing into his hands in Abu Dhabi 2010. Kimi and Lewis was lucky in 2007 and 2008.
But still I give it 50 - 50 for both Nico and Lewis. So nothing is over, Lewis will be giving his best in AD.

[Jolle]

He was lucky, yes. But there are many championships in F1 that shaped around luck.
You can't blame Rosberg for being lucky, as the chance came, he was there to get the best out of it. And in some races Rosberg was faster than Hamilton fair and square.
There are still some luck to get or lose. Anything can happen in Abu Dhabi.

No other driver in F1 history has got near winning 10(at least 9) races and still not win the WDC. He hasn't just been lucky though he has had UNBELIVEABLE luck.
From end plates into side walls causing no punctures to Red Bull naffing up on pit strategy 3 times recently to hand Rosberg second places. EVERYTHING that can go his way is going his way.

If the luck deserts him right at the end it won't change the fact that Rosberg has had amazing luck on balance throughout 2016. I'll say it again (I notice you did argue the point) that Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton in Rosberg's situation would have had the WDC sewn up already.

I am not arguing about other drivers being in his position but on paper I would call both VET and ALO better drivers (which can be questioned by some because we didn't see them performing in similar paced cars) than Rosberg which theoretically means that they would have secured the title in your scenario.
I can call Vettel lucky for not getting any damage on that first lap clash in Brazil 2012 or everything playing into his hands in Abu Dhabi 2010. Kimi and Lewis was lucky in 2007 and 2008.
But still I give it 50 - 50 for both Nico and Lewis. So nothing is over, Lewis will be giving his best in AD.

Part of being a good driver is securing the best car available. VET, ALO and HAM are faster drivers, but apart from HAM, they are not in the right car.

[Restomaniac]

He was lucky, yes. But there are many championships in F1 that shaped around luck.
You can't blame Rosberg for being lucky, as the chance came, he was there to get the best out of it. And in some races Rosberg was faster than Hamilton fair and square.
There are still some luck to get or lose. Anything can happen in Abu Dhabi.

No other driver in F1 history has got near winning 10(at least 9) races and still not win the WDC. He hasn't just been lucky though he has had UNBELIVEABLE luck.
From end plates into side walls causing no punctures to Red Bull naffing up on pit strategy 3 times recently to hand Rosberg second places. EVERYTHING that can go his way is going his way.

If the luck deserts him right at the end it won't change the fact that Rosberg has had amazing luck on balance throughout 2016. I'll say it again (I notice you did argue the point) that Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton in Rosberg's situation would have had the WDC sewn up already.

I am not arguing about other drivers being in his position but on paper I would call both VET and ALO better drivers (which can be questioned by some because we didn't see them performing in similar paced cars) than Rosberg which theoretically means that they would have secured the title in your scenario.
I can call Vettel lucky for not getting any damage on that first lap clash in Brazil 2012 or everything playing into his hands in Abu Dhabi 2010. Kimi and Lewis was lucky in 2007 and 2008.
But still I give it 50 - 50 for both Nico and Lewis. So nothing is over, Lewis will be giving his best in AD.

Fair point on Vettel in 2010 and 2012 but you don't win 4 WDC by luck alone.
I'll give you Kimi which is why I didn't mention him but again Lewis in 2008 is a fair point but you don't win 3 WDC by luck alone.

I don't see how it's 50-50 Hamilton realistically needs to win Rosberg just needs to put a car that is the best in the field by miles on the podium.

[mv71]

I think other drivers would have forced to win the WC earlier in the season.
It's one way to say I just finish my races as I need. But now he can lose everything in the last race.
If he would have tried to win some races more in the past it wouldn't be so close in the last race of season.

I think, VET, ALO and HAM would have tried to fix this thing earlier in the season.

However, we don't know yet and have to wait 2 more weeks. But I have the feeling that the pressure will be too high for Rosberg and he will lose his nerves.

[smiley]

Great drive by Max. He had the instinct to choose a different line.

Not just instinct.
Look at the safetycar runs again.
While everybody is following that in a docile manner, Max is all over the full width of the track.
He is feeling out the grip levels

[Gettingonabit]

VES! - maybe not the new Senna but very possibly the new HAM in the next few years.

[Restomaniac]

Max verstappen was something else. Driving an F1 car like a rally car. He basically destroyed Ricciardo. The way he caught the car and prevented it from hitting the guardrail was amazing. Going around the outside to pass guys like clockwork. 11 overtakes in 16 laps. The guy is a genius. Senna-esque.

A word of praise for Hamilton too. He was able to pull away from Verstappen. Probably the only guy who could beat Verstappen in the wet in a straight fight.

I am seeing a lot of Rosberg hate on the forum. I agree that he is not technically as gifted as Lewis or even Alonso, Verstappen or Vettel. But he has been consistent this season. He has beaten Lewis fair and square twice. He is playing a smart game. Do realize that he does NOT NEED to win. He needs to finish 2nd. His priority is to finish the race. No need to take unnecessary risks which is exactly what he did yesterday. People forget that he was able to match or beat Webber and Wurz in his Williams days. He was also the youngest driver to record a fastest lap in his rookie days. He may not be the best but he is nowhere near as bad as people are making him out to be.

He is a fully deserving WC. Give him his due credit. Look at Vettel for example. Best car and total team support (Istanbul Crash, Multi 21 etc.). Will you all say that he is undeserving? Id like to mention what Webber said in his autobiography. Vettel was under severe pressure to prove the success of the RB young drivers program. At that age and under that pressure he did reasonably well. 2008 Monza and 2014 show his driving skills. Even yesterday, Kimi crashed but Vettel managed to finish 5th even after a spin. Shows that he has decent skills.
Kimi in 2008 won only because Hamilton and Alonso crashed into each other. Does that make him an undeserving WC? Even Schumacher had the best car for 4 out of his 7 titles. But he has proved his worth hasn't he?

Car, luck and opportunity all make a champion. Appreciate that Rosberg had the ability to bounce back from 2 successive defeats to lead the WC now. Its not easy having Hamilton as your teammate. You need tremendous self-belief and a great mentality especially after back to back defeats.

He has beaten him fair and square twice in 21 races. Wow yep that's deserving of a WDC if you are willing to discount the other 19 races. He has been able to bounce back because his team mate has had a broken car for large parts of the season.

What you are calling hate is actually honestly for those who are willing to see it.

[iotar__]

Great drive by Max. He had the instinct to choose a different line.

Not just instinct.
Look at the safetycar runs again.
While everybody is following that in a docile manner, Max is all over the full width of the track.
He is feeling out the grip levels

- Come on... this fairy tale has to be a product of some TV 'pundit' .
- Vettel 'charged to fifth', overtaking some slower cars too (add much fresher tyres) and no one's claiming it was a superhuman effort: e.i Alonso overtake, it was possible. MV wasn't jumping two Merc before SCs, jumped one with a help of one (very good move), then almost lost it, the rest was against slow cars on old/fresher tyres. None of them could defend, (2 cars in a different world) If it happens quickly it's still impressive.

- Noise is as bad as Spain (0% deserved) but at least 80% deserved now. Not that many quick laps and traffic ofc: http://en.mclarenf-1.com/index.php?page ... %20Rosberg

[Vettelswonmeover]

Max verstappen was something else. Driving an F1 car like a rally car. He basically destroyed Ricciardo. The way he caught the car and prevented it from hitting the guardrail was amazing. Going around the outside to pass guys like clockwork. 11 overtakes in 16 laps. The guy is a genius. Senna-esque.

A word of praise for Hamilton too. He was able to pull away from Verstappen. Probably the only guy who could beat Verstappen in the wet in a straight fight.

I am seeing a lot of Rosberg hate on the forum. I agree that he is not technically as gifted as Lewis or even Alonso, Verstappen or Vettel. But he has been consistent this season. He has beaten Lewis fair and square twice. He is playing a smart game. Do realize that he does NOT NEED to win. He needs to finish 2nd. His priority is to finish the race. No need to take unnecessary risks which is exactly what he did yesterday. People forget that he was able to match or beat Webber and Wurz in his Williams days. He was also the youngest driver to record a fastest lap in his rookie days. He may not be the best but he is nowhere near as bad as people are making him out to be.

He is a fully deserving WC. Give him his due credit. Look at Vettel for example. Best car and total team support (Istanbul Crash, Multi 21 etc.). Will you all say that he is undeserving? Id like to mention what Webber said in his autobiography. Vettel was under severe pressure to prove the success of the RB young drivers program. At that age and under that pressure he did reasonably well. 2008 Monza and 2014 show his driving skills. Even yesterday, Kimi crashed but Vettel managed to finish 5th even after a spin. Shows that he has decent skills.
Kimi in 2008 won only because Hamilton and Alonso crashed into each other. Does that make him an undeserving WC? Even Schumacher had the best car for 4 out of his 7 titles. But he has proved his worth hasn't he?

Car, luck and opportunity all make a champion. Appreciate that Rosberg had the ability to bounce back from 2 successive defeats to lead the WC now. Its not easy having Hamilton as your teammate. You need tremendous self-belief and a great mentality especially after back to back defeats.

He has beaten him fair and square twice in 21 races. Wow yep that's deserving of a WDC if you are willing to discount the other 19 races. He has been able to bounce back because his team mate has had a broken car for large parts of the season.

What you are calling hate is actually honestly for those who are willing to see it.

Technically, Hamilton had 2 technical retirements in the races and 2 in qualifying. Rosberg had one each. Not that big imho. Yes there is a little luck but not THAT MUCH as you are saying.

I did agree that Rosberg was not as good a driver as Hamilton, Alonso, Max Vettel or RIC. But he has bouned back after the summer break after being spectacularly blitzed by Hamilton. Give him some credit