Phil wrote:Possibly, but Nico has always been a very consistent performer. Probably too consistent to be ruled out of contention, given the Mercedes is more or less nearly guaranteed to finish 1st or 2nd given the advantage they have... And I think the thought that Lewis may be facing a penalty soon probably makes him a bit more comfortable with the odds, despite losing the lead. Also the fact that he was able to win 7 races in a row from last year into this year should give him some confidence in his own ability, even if things haven't been going his way lately.
The thing with Rosberg is that he has been a very consistent performer, but during the season there are races where he critically lose out in the standings. Last season Hungary and Italy have been the races where he lost out a lot. Whereas this season, his results in Monaco, Canada and Austria could have been better and these moment can cost him the Championship.
Hamilton had a disastrous beginning of the season, but still managed to come back whenever he could bar China and Baku where damage and mechanical failure have cost him the race. Considering how much mechanical failure and damage Lewis had during races, he made the most out of it without losing out too much in the standings.
It's going to be crucial heading into the summer break with a win for either Hamilton or Rosberg. For Hamilton it would keeping his good form, keeping his streak alive and build a big enough buffer when he's due to an engine change which will drop him back a few places on the grid. For Rosberg it would be the ability to bounce back from recent setbacks, break Hamilton's streak and gain back the lead in the standings heading into the summer break.
