2014 Monaco Grand Prix

[turbof1]

If he was being untoward, hand him an Oscar for superb acting behind the wheel.

Well Cannes is nearby, maybe he'll settle for a Palme d'Or.

No in all fairness, I also think, even aside the decision of the fia, that he didn't intentionally tried to sabotage Hamilton's (and other driver's) lap. This is an unfortunate case of one mistake being magnified by a circuit that isn't up to f1 standards.

[Del Boy]

It'll be interesting to see how Lewis handles being behind if that's what happens in turn 1. We've not seen that yet. My guess (if he can keep cool) is to sit behind Nico, save his tires/fuel, and jump him at the first pit. The risk is that if the pit is on a yellow (very likely), he's going to have to give Nico a gap so he isn't held up and then he's forced to pass on track. Team orders will probably tell them to keep position until after the first pit (which Lewis may or may not listen to).

OTOH, Lewis is the kind of driver that will gamble that Nico will be more concerned about causing a DNF than he is, force the issue somewhere and hope that Nico backs out before he does. I don't think that's going to work, though...

Very interesting maybe that's what Lewis meant when he brought up How Senna would behave!

[johnsonwax]

No in all fairness, I also think, even aside the decision of the fia, that he didn't intentionally tried to sabotage Hamilton's (and other driver's) lap. This is an unfortunate case of one mistake being magnified by a circuit that isn't up to f1 standards.

Well, I agree that Nico didn't go down the escape road on purpose. But I can't think of any reason, knowing that hot laps were still behind him and having no possibility of getting another lap himself, why he would come out on track until all the cars had passed.

I would definitely have penalized him for backing out because he could get no benefit by doing so, and could only scuttle other people's laps. While not as deliberate as what Michael did, the end result is identical. Perhaps it wasn't malicious, but it was stupid and unfair.

[johnsonwax]

Very interesting maybe that's what Lewis meant when he brought up How Senna would behave!

That's definitely how Senna drove, and Lewis has shown that he has that same attitude (which doesn't always work). Unfortunately for Ferrari both Alonzo and Kimi do as well. They'll take each other out in a heartbeat.

It's going to be very interesting how the team sees Nico holding up Lewis for no reason. I'm sure they're unhappy about that, preferring Nico to beat Lewis on track (or vice versa). I could see them giving Nico a warning that if Lewis chucks it into a turn, that Nico will be held responsible for making sure they don't take each other out. Not that I think the drivers will care about such things.

But if this battle at Mercedes wasn't personal before, it definitely is now.

[iotar__]

Yes, this persistent dusty patch around his starting position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wJ0efWQQc

No telemetry = start problems. Or following that logic = Hamilton's start in Australia was even worse, he couldn't handle engine problems like a man.

Ok, so tomorrow, they will be on the best stratagies possible. Lets say they are scheduled to pit on lap 18 and 19. Obviously Nico will pick lap 18 to cover Lewis off.
So what happens if on 17 Lewis Radio's in, "Im getting some vibrations, i think i have a tyre problem, I need to pit this lap" and then comes in. Gets the undercut and passes Nico.
What would happen ? Any ideas ?

1. "OK Lewis, stay out, it's your nose getting longer affecting the balance" or:
2. It would mean that Mercedes is actively working against Rosberg and favouring Hamilton. They made sure on several occasions that leading driver gets better strategy at every point in the race at the expense of other driver.

Alternative: Merc is consistent and is keeping Ham behind at safe distance, Rosberg is faster/better at tyre management but is delaying his stop, LH has to stay two laps longer (like NR in Spain) but this time RB is close, undercuts and gets in front of LH unless he pits, Rosberg delays pitstop, Hamilton loses one position.
More realistically - safety car and pitstop in the same lap - same result.

[NathanOlder]

Yeah, and another sign that 2014 is way better than the last few years.

[i70q7m7ghw]

Reversing the car back on to the track while other cars are still on hot laps was the suspect part for me. The mistake looked odd, but was most likely a genuine mistake. I seriously question the decision to reverse the car back on to the track though. He knew his lap was over, all he could achieve was to ruin everyone else's lap, which is what he did. He didn't break any rules, but he was unsporting in my opinion.

Ultimately I think Hamilton still has the upperhand. Rosberg has shown weakness today, and I think Hamilton knows this. Even if Rosberg wins this race and retakes the championship lead, I feel Hamilton will just take it back at the next race with ease.

[NathanOlder]

Yes, this persistent dusty patch around his starting position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wJ0efWQQc

No telemetry = start problems. Or following that logic = Hamilton's start in Australia was even worse, he couldn't handle engine problems like a man.

Ok, so tomorrow, they will be on the best stratagies possible. Lets say they are scheduled to pit on lap 18 and 19. Obviously Nico will pick lap 18 to cover Lewis off.
So what happens if on 17 Lewis Radio's in, "Im getting some vibrations, i think i have a tyre problem, I need to pit this lap" and then comes in. Gets the undercut and passes Nico.
What would happen ? Any ideas ?

. It would mean that Mercedes is actively working against Rosberg and favouring Hamilton. They made sure on several occasions that leading driver gets better strategy at every point in the race at the expense of other driver..

If Lewis decides he's coming in a lap before Nico, what can they do? Hide in the garage? They would have to be ready for him, make the stop and sort it out after behind closed doors. At which point id say, they would tell both drivers to shut up and they both had taken to mick. Honours even.

[johnsonwax]

My guess is that because Mercedes is so good on tires, they'll be among the last cars to pit. If the #2 Mercedes is able to pit and come out ahead of traffic, the #2 car will pit immediately, even if it's before their scheduled window. But it'll depend entirely on where the cars behind are on pits/position. Nobody is going to call themselves in early without knowing whether they get stuck behind a McLaren for 3 laps.

The longer they wait, though, the more likely they get hung out due to a yellow. And there's that chance for rain, and the calculations that go along with that prospect… It's all going to depend on how the dice roll.

[Shrieker]

I could only watch the final 3 minutes of Q3 with next to no sound. I saw Rosberg's incident, but since i didn't know about the 'reversing' i thought it could be an honest mistake.

But !

How can you reverse towards the track when other people are on their hot laps an not get a penalty ? I mean lol.

[aral]

http://giant.gfycat.com/SnappyEquatorialBabirusa.gif
Look wear he locks-up....farcical

What is farcical? Nico was braking hard as he was trying to avoid going into the barriers.

[Godius]

STR is doing very well at this circuit btw with both cars comfortably in Q3.

[zeph]

But if this battle at Mercedes wasn't personal before, it definitely is now.

I don't see that. Sure, HAM said some stuff, but that was in the heat of the moment and I bet he'll have calmed down by now.

In my observation, it is mostly the fans and media who love to milk this stuff.

[RicerDude]

http://giant.gfycat.com/SnappyEquatorialBabirusa.gif
Look wear he locks-up....farcical

What is farcical? Nico was braking hard as he was trying to avoid going into the barriers.

He was never going to crash. If he was scared of going into the barriers he would of put on steering lock and most likely locked the rears, that's just driver instinct.

[Phillyred]

But if this battle at Mercedes wasn't personal before, it definitely is now.

I don't see that. Sure, HAM said some stuff, but that was in the heat of the moment and I bet he'll have calmed down by now.

In my observation, it is mostly the fans and media who love to milk this stuff.

Or, he didn't say much at all (except for the silly Senna comment) which is even more telling.