2016 German Grand Prix - Hockenheim, 29-31 July

[Wynters]

Rosberg was leading there

He wasn't. Hamilton took the lead in the kink leading up to the corner. Maybe 2-300m before?

It's also worth pointing out that, in Austria, he began to turn earlier and only had to apply full lock after the impact. In Germany, he couldn't have missed the apex by any more and still stayed inside track limits.

On a race note, does it feel like Williams has already shifted to 2017? They were very slow today and, as always, their strategy was inflexible once the race started.

What chance Massa staying with the team? Button does look to be much more attractive at this point (assuming McLaren want his seat for someone else next year). Perez would also be very attractive, although I don't know how competitive he thinks the Williams will be vs the Force India.

[Jolle]

I really wonder what has happened internally at Mercedes after Spain. Rosberg didn't had real big technical problems (only a gearbox in once after a crash) and lost 62 point in 7 races. Hamilton on the other hand is winning quite easily. Since Spain even Verstappen has more points then Rosberg.

I expect that the "driving people off track" will also be a hot topic in the post race discussion at Mercedes. This behaviour costs them lots of points.

[jz11]

At least when Maldonado did this move he, as Horner pointed out post race, had both steering input and locked up wheels to show the effort, but ROS doesn't even have decency to acknowledge his mistakes (which IMO weren't mistakes, just lame driving), he puts blame on what - 1) HAM actually turning into a corner, 2) steering rack not being able to apply more angle, so he could leave space on the track for VES.

It was clear as day that Maxes defensive move caught him, but he still was committed to the inside line, and when he overreacted by turning in too fast too early, which would compromise his exit so much, that Max would go past him during the exit 100%, he decided - I will simply run this guy off the track, which he proceeded to do and what resulted in a penalty <- this isn't racing, well, it could have been, if ROS would allow Max to retake the place after his lame attempt, and then go on the radio and complain about Maxes moves in the braking zone - that is what should have happened, there would have been investigation, probably no penalties for Max, maybe warnings (and he needs them, else someone will for sure take him out in of the race in this manner), but instead ROS goes on to complain that his car didn't have enough steering angle... that must be some sort of strategy to keep his self esteem or something - blame everything else, lie to everyone in an effort not to take responsibility for his own actions.

So the penalty wasn't for the effort to make an overtake (which some people seem to think here, and will discourage other drivers from "racing"), it was for lame driving, and 100% deserved.

Also, if he would have given the place back right there, I'm pretty sure no penalties would have been given out.

[Restomaniac]

At least when Maldonado did this move he, as Horner pointed out post race, had both steering input and locked up wheels to show the effort, but ROS doesn't even have decency to acknowledge his mistakes (which IMO weren't mistakes, just lame driving), he puts blame on what - 1) HAM actually turning into a corner, 2) steering rack not being able to apply more angle, so he could leave space on the track for VES.

It was clear as day that Maxes defensive move caught him, but he still was committed to the inside line, and when he overreacted by turning in too fast too early, which would compromise his exit so much, that Max would go past him during the exit 100%, he decided - I will simply run this guy off the track, which he proceeded to do and what resulted in a penalty <- this isn't racing, well, it could have been, if ROS would allow Max to retake the place after his lame attempt, and then go on the radio and complain about Maxes moves in the braking zone - that is what should have happened, there would have been investigation, probably no penalties for Max, maybe warnings (and he needs them, else someone will for sure take him out in of the race in this manner), but instead ROS goes on to complain that his car didn't have enough steering angle... that must be some sort of strategy to keep his self esteem or something - blame everything else, lie to everyone in an effort not to take responsibility for his own actions.

So the penalty wasn't for the effort to make an overtake (which some people seem to think here, and will discourage other drivers from "racing"), it was for lame driving, and 100% deserved.

Also, if he would have given the place back right there, I'm pretty sure no penalties would have been given out.

Yep my initial thought was simply 'Best to give that back Nico' .

[Jolle]

At least when Maldonado did this move he, as Horner pointed out post race, had both steering input and locked up wheels to show the effort, but ROS doesn't even have decency to acknowledge his mistakes (which IMO weren't mistakes, just lame driving), he puts blame on what - 1) HAM actually turning into a corner, 2) steering rack not being able to apply more angle, so he could leave space on the track for VES.

It was clear as day that Maxes defensive move caught him, but he still was committed to the inside line, and when he overreacted by turning in too fast too early, which would compromise his exit so much, that Max would go past him during the exit 100%, he decided - I will simply run this guy off the track, which he proceeded to do and what resulted in a penalty <- this isn't racing, well, it could have been, if ROS would allow Max to retake the place after his lame attempt, and then go on the radio and complain about Maxes moves in the braking zone - that is what should have happened, there would have been investigation, probably no penalties for Max, maybe warnings (and he needs them, else someone will for sure take him out in of the race in this manner), but instead ROS goes on to complain that his car didn't have enough steering angle... that must be some sort of strategy to keep his self esteem or something - blame everything else, lie to everyone in an effort not to take responsibility for his own actions.

So the penalty wasn't for the effort to make an overtake (which some people seem to think here, and will discourage other drivers from "racing"), it was for lame driving, and 100% deserved.

Also, if he would have given the place back right there, I'm pretty sure no penalties would have been given out.

Yep my initial thought was simply 'Best to give that back Nico' .

I'm afraid that Rosberg his self confidence goes so far that he makes no mistakes and did nothing wrong (in all occasions)

[Restomaniac]

1 thing I always wonder after a day like today.

What tunes did Merc pump into Hamiltons earphones whilst he cruised around for 2 hours?

[Restomaniac]

At least when Maldonado did this move he, as Horner pointed out post race, had both steering input and locked up wheels to show the effort, but ROS doesn't even have decency to acknowledge his mistakes (which IMO weren't mistakes, just lame driving), he puts blame on what - 1) HAM actually turning into a corner, 2) steering rack not being able to apply more angle, so he could leave space on the track for VES.

It was clear as day that Maxes defensive move caught him, but he still was committed to the inside line, and when he overreacted by turning in too fast too early, which would compromise his exit so much, that Max would go past him during the exit 100%, he decided - I will simply run this guy off the track, which he proceeded to do and what resulted in a penalty <- this isn't racing, well, it could have been, if ROS would allow Max to retake the place after his lame attempt, and then go on the radio and complain about Maxes moves in the braking zone - that is what should have happened, there would have been investigation, probably no penalties for Max, maybe warnings (and he needs them, else someone will for sure take him out in of the race in this manner), but instead ROS goes on to complain that his car didn't have enough steering angle... that must be some sort of strategy to keep his self esteem or something - blame everything else, lie to everyone in an effort not to take responsibility for his own actions.

So the penalty wasn't for the effort to make an overtake (which some people seem to think here, and will discourage other drivers from "racing"), it was for lame driving, and 100% deserved.

Also, if he would have given the place back right there, I'm pretty sure no penalties would have been given out.

Yep my initial thought was simply 'Best to give that back Nico' .

I'm afraid that Rosberg his self confidence goes so far that he makes no mistakes and did nothing wrong (in all occasions)

True but you would expect the team to step in and say 'Erm Nico that may come back and bite you.'.

[Sonador]

I really wonder what has happened internally at Mercedes after Spain. Rosberg didn't had real big technical problems (only a gearbox in once after a crash) and lost 62 point in 7 races. Hamilton on the other hand is winning quite easily. Since Spain even Verstappen has more points then Rosberg.

I expect that the "driving people off track" will also be a hot topic in the post race discussion at Mercedes. This behaviour costs them lots of points.

The same happend after Spa 2014 ....

Rosberg is a decent and a nice guy, but when he is up against drivers of Hamilton Ricciardo Alonso Verstappen caliber, he gets al mushy at the knees.

Why, i do not know, he needs to relax a bit.
I would not be surprised if he does not win anything this year.

[siskue2005]

inititally i thought it was Nico's fault, but after watching this excellent analysis by Davidson i have changed my mind https://streamable.com/mh8i

[Zynerji]

I think the move was fine... This, to me, is what is meant by "being hung out to dry".

It's a peeg fahker for sure, but high speed geometry to me is very harsh, and this move, and all like it, are exactly what F1 needs more of.

[Powy]

Video on Formula1.com : Drivers report back after the race in Germany

Good job by Jenson Button finishing 8th!

[sosic2121]

inititally i thought it was Nico's fault, but after watching this excellent analysis by Davidson i have changed my mind https://streamable.com/mh8i

wow, same here. not so sure any more.
verstappen's move under breaking forced Nico to steer and probably compromised his breaking.

can someone please explain to me why is verstappen's move on ricciardo legal? he is off the track. I don't understand

[ClarkBT11]

I think the point is you can defend on the racing line post apex.

Could you say Rosberg was on the racing line? No

If Rosberg took the racing line he would of overtaken Verstappen cleanly imo.

[ClarkBT11]

inititally i thought it was Nico's fault, but after watching this excellent analysis by Davidson i have changed my mind https://streamable.com/mh8i

wow, same here. not so sure any more.
verstappen's move under breaking forced Nico to steer and probably compromised his breaking.

can someone please explain to me why is verstappen's move on ricciardo legal? he is off the track. I don't understand

It looked to me Verstappen was going to turn in then saw Rosberg in his mirrors and pulled out of the corner.

Verstappen would of received a penalty if he violated any rules in the eyes and data of the stewards?

[jz11]

inititally i thought it was Nico's fault, but after watching this excellent analysis by Davidson i have changed my mind https://streamable.com/mh8i

look at it again with this in mind - look really carefully WHEN he starts to turn, and bear in mind that he is a professional racing driver that knows his cars turning radius, at least I would hope he does, and Davidson completely ignored this

as I explained earlier, there was a line for Rosberg to steer into that apex, even from that heavily compromised entry, but with 100% certainty would make his overtake move not to stick, it wouldn't even happen, since Max could carry way more speed through his line, but there was no effort from him whatsoever, even more - if he would try that, he could try and close the door on exit (which wouldn't happen) - he would have the "right" to do so, but this was just another clumsy move from him, maybe he thought he has the right to do so because of Maxes move, would be great to hear radio messages during that time, but probably there was way too much bleeping required to air that on tv

actually, would that would be a great online pay service to be able to tune into teams radio messages, live, unedited, switch to whichever you like, it's not like they are talking about some "secrets" that others shouldn't know...