Rosberg: first to crack?

[Jimbo.]

Granted it's something from the desk of Benson, however, assuming for a second it is correct:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/27056797

Hamilton prepared to fight, and Rosberg wanting "talks". It's early days I admit, but with that...has Rosberg inadvertantly surrendered himself to Hamilton? He (Hamilton) will now pull similar moves every time, knowing it gets Rosberg's back up. And there's no way in hell Rosberg will withstand a season of that, surely?

[Mojocvh]

not a very nice thread imo.

[Jimbo.]

Mojocvh said:

not a very nice thread imo.

Ohhh-kay...

[DanielSan]

All mind games, anyone who thinks Rosberg will just back down and not fight is living in a dream world.

[CBR JGWRR]

All Rosberg has to do is be there when Hamilton makes mistakes. Fact is, they have the best car, 3 seconds a lap at times quicker than anyone else in that final sprint at Bahrain.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the rest of the Hamilton and Rosberg show.

[slipstream 1985]

CBR JGWRR said:

All Rosberg has to do is be there when Hamilton makes mistakes. Fact is, they have the best car, 3 seconds a lap at times quicker than anyone else in that final sprint at Bahrain.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the rest of the Hamilton and Rosberg show.

rosberg needs a dnf to make the season even then we will see who is best.

[HarryW]

DanielSan said:

All mind games, anyone who thinks Rosberg will just back down and not fight is living in a dream world.

This 100%

[Crafty_]

The media love to stir up stories of some sort of ill feeling between them, I see no evidence of it. I suspect Nico is pissed that he hasn't beaten Hamilton in a straight fight this year (yet) - I'm sure it'll happen, but for the moment Lewis has the upper hand for whatever reason.

Far as I can see the only thing between them on track is rivalry.

[anonymous-user]

Jimbo. said:

Granted it's something from the desk of Benson, however, assuming for a second it is correct:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/27056797

Hamilton prepared to fight, and Rosberg wanting "talks". It's early days I admit, but with that...has Rosberg inadvertantly surrendered himself to Hamilton? He (Hamilton) will now pull similar moves every time, knowing it gets Rosberg's back up. And there's no way in hell Rosberg will withstand a season of that, surely?

That's not even "from the desk of Benson" it's been widely reported and means very little, IMO. Rosberg has already said tis a routine thing to discuss these sort of matters.

[Fire99]

This is probably a rumour created within F1 circles to 'spice' things up a bit and keep public interest.

They've raced each other for many years in one form or another. They both know what each other is like..

It's a non-story.

[Jasandjules]

They've raced each other (fairly hard) since they were teenagers. I think they are great friends and are loving what they do.

[Fire99]

Jasandjules said:

They've raced each other (fairly hard) since they were teenagers. I think they are great friends and are loving what they do.

Exactly!

[longblackcoat]

Jasandjules said:

They've raced each other (fairly hard) since they were teenagers. I think they are great friends and are loving what they do.

You might think it, but according to Hamilton, they're not best mates. On friendly terms, admittedly, but no more than that.

[hdrflow]

With so much praise given to Lewis by Lauda and Paddy Lowe, Rosberg needs to show he can beat him in the same way, or outsmart Lewis strategically somehow if is to have a chance to win the championship.

Personally, I'd love to see them battle until the last race. If things get sour personally it would be a shame really. Healthy rivalry as they say is preferred I think.

[Risky Shift]

longblackcoat said:

You might think it, but according to Hamilton, they're not best mates. On friendly terms, admittedly, but no more than that.

I think they may have been closer prior to Hamilton's move to Mercedes. Weren't they training buddies in recent years?

[mattikake]

Risky Shift said:

longblackcoat said:

You might think it, but according to Hamilton, they're not best mates. On friendly terms, admittedly, but no more than that.

I think they may have been closer prior to Hamilton's move to Mercedes. Weren't they training buddies in recent years?

Lewis said he can count his best friends on one hand and Nico is not one of them. Doesn't mean he isn't a friend, just not one of his best ones. Have two competing drivers ever been best friends?

The way they play-fought at the end of the Bahrain GP said it all for me - racers who like to have a great race and as long as that happens, there are no bad feelings...

...for now.

Edited by mattikake on Thursday 17th April 22:39

[Ponk]

I think Hamilton is willing to push harder to win. That could be his secret weapon or his downfall. As someone else said Nico just needs to keep picking up points, only takes a few DNFs to shake things up.

I'd be happy to see either win, Lewis because he's Lewis and Nico because i think many thought he was a journey man. Either way it's going to be a fascinating battle!

[hairyben]

Crafty_ said:

The media love to stir up stories of some sort of ill feeling between them, I see no evidence of it. I suspect Nico is pissed that he hasn't beaten Hamilton in a straight fight this year (yet) - I'm sure it'll happen, but for the moment Lewis has the upper hand for whatever reason.

Far as I can see the only thing between them on track is rivalry.

Ha, was it Lauda the other week "they have a very good relationship, they don't hate each other" LMAO

[CraigyMc]

mattikake said:

Have two competing drivers ever been best friends?

Jackie Stewart/Francois Cevert. They were close enough that away from the track they used to take holidays together.

There have probably been others.

[Crafty_]

Back in the 60s drivers were good friends, Graham Hill used to have house parties where all sorts of people would turn up, on one occasion a couple of local bobbies appeared after complaints about the noise. They ended up staying for a while and sheepishly returned the next morning to ask if anyone had seen their helmets as they had gone missing the night before

Today? the way I see it drivers don't really have time for friends - they are either working preparing for races/training/sim work/appearances for sponsors etc, its a bit of a nomadic lifestyle.
Most of the WAGs either don't have a job and are free to follow the driver around or have their own careers and time with the driver is limited.
Seeing friends probably switches from once a week or so to once every couple of months.

IMHO the only sportsmen that work harder/longer than F1 drivers are NASCAR drivers who will run 36 cup races, plus a couple of non championship races (duels etc) and maybe some nationwide races too.

Stewart (before his accident) ran up to 90 races a year (granted more because he loves it than he had to).