The Official 2014 Singapore GP Thread ***Spoilers***
Discussion
toppstuff said:
If things go Hamiltons way in the next 2-3 races and he builds up a lead, then team orders will kick in and Nico is destined to be the wingman. After a while, its going to bug the hell out of him.
Why would Mercedes impose team orders? One of their drivers is going to win the chammpionship this year, does it matter which one?I don't think Nico will leave, he's been with the team for years and is part of the story of how they've got to the front of the pack. He's just signed a new contract, his value has risen this year so it won't be cheap and then he'll want a good wage as well. Too much money.
And where would he go ? McLaren ? they are deep in the s
t and I think will take at least another year to come good and they won't dominate like Merc are.
Who would they replace him with, it'll be too late in silly season to secure one, unless they put the rookie that they just announced as test driver ? can't see that either.
On this note, I think Lewis is playing a bit of a blinder, they have apparently agreed to discuss his contract renewal after the season is over. If he wins he can use the "I'm WDC" card, if he loses he can say "I would be WDC, but your car let us down". At the same time he's delaying them being able to commit to someone else
I think they will both be there next year, there were a few comments around the press that they've kissed and made up so no reason that they can't co-exist.
And where would he go ? McLaren ? they are deep in the s
t and I think will take at least another year to come good and they won't dominate like Merc are.Who would they replace him with, it'll be too late in silly season to secure one, unless they put the rookie that they just announced as test driver ? can't see that either.
On this note, I think Lewis is playing a bit of a blinder, they have apparently agreed to discuss his contract renewal after the season is over. If he wins he can use the "I'm WDC" card, if he loses he can say "I would be WDC, but your car let us down". At the same time he's delaying them being able to commit to someone else
I think they will both be there next year, there were a few comments around the press that they've kissed and made up so no reason that they can't co-exist.
Crafty_ said:
I think they will both be there next year, there were a few comments around the press that they've kissed and made up so no reason that they can't co-exist.
I'm not so sure they are great mates again. I doubt NR is on LH's christmas card list and vice versa. They've been told how to handle themselves in public with an or else attached.Williams reckoned that her mechanics were engaging in light banter. I reckon a little less lightness would have ended up with someone eating a spanner. The bloke handy with his hands had to be calmed down by the bloke on the right front. But the official line, and that from any mechanic when the camera is on them, will be that everyone is in love and hold hands on the walk to the plane.
The demands of the corporation.
danrc said:
F1spy said:
One Williams mechanic slaps right wheelman after the pit-stop during the Singapore GP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjgTdepuPAw
Wonder what the right-rear wheel changer at Williams did to deserve this?
Looks like he didn't raise his wheel gun to indicate he'd finished his job. The other boy took umbrage over this.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjgTdepuPAw
Wonder what the right-rear wheel changer at Williams did to deserve this?
He probably nicked his Cadbury's mini roll during the snack break.
RYH64E said:
Why would Mercedes impose team orders? One of their drivers is going to win the chammpionship this year, does it matter which one?
And that's the key point. Mercedes first aim is the constructors title. It makes no difference to their prize money which driver wins the WDC. Derek Smith said:
The contract argument is spurious. All it means is that if he is kicked out for next season he gets financial compensation.
I can't see him going though. His unpopularity, even with Germans, is a problem but Merc need a German, even half German, driver to keep the board meetings calm. The unions want another Schumacher. So unless they can secure Vettel - hardly Mr Popular, but more so than NR - he'll stay. He's too good a driver to dump. Whilst I think LH has the edge, it is a damn close run thing.
Mind you, Vettel and LH in the same team is hardly likely to make things calmer.
Next season, with the other teams closer to Merc, maybe even equal, is likely to be even better than this year. Now there's a thought.
The new test driver at merch is Germany...I can't see him going though. His unpopularity, even with Germans, is a problem but Merc need a German, even half German, driver to keep the board meetings calm. The unions want another Schumacher. So unless they can secure Vettel - hardly Mr Popular, but more so than NR - he'll stay. He's too good a driver to dump. Whilst I think LH has the edge, it is a damn close run thing.
Mind you, Vettel and LH in the same team is hardly likely to make things calmer.
Next season, with the other teams closer to Merc, maybe even equal, is likely to be even better than this year. Now there's a thought.
Derek Smith said:
Williams reckoned that her mechanics were engaging in light banter. I reckon a little less lightness would have ended up with someone eating a spanner. The bloke handy with his hands had to be calmed down by the bloke on the right front. But the official line, and that from any mechanic when the camera is on them, will be that everyone is in love and hold hands on the walk to the plane.
LOL. Quite. 
Crafty_ said:
I think they will both be there next year, there were a few comments around the press that they've kissed and made up so no reason that they can't co-exist.
I agree - I can see no evidence at all that any other car will be better than the Merc next year, So whilst they each might prefer another team mate their first thought is surely, "Which team gives me the best shot at the title?"; answer: Mercedes.I can't see either of the Mercedes drivers moving for next year.
It's likely with another year of engine developement, power should be very similar between them all. If there's 2 or 3 teams fighting for the win next year I can see this helping Lewis rather than Nico as he does seem to relish the wheel to wheel racing, where we have seen Nico get stuck behind slower cars for lap after lap, admittedly not so much this year as the car is so much faster.
It's likely with another year of engine developement, power should be very similar between them all. If there's 2 or 3 teams fighting for the win next year I can see this helping Lewis rather than Nico as he does seem to relish the wheel to wheel racing, where we have seen Nico get stuck behind slower cars for lap after lap, admittedly not so much this year as the car is so much faster.
IainT said:
Derek Smith said:
IainT said:
The laps Lewis did after the SC pulled in were utterly mesmerising.
Indeed. Impressive.He knew what he had to do and did so without fuss. He's improved no end of late. I wonder if it is the different management - and I say this as a McLaren fan.
For me the interesting non-racing point next is how Nico deals with this blow - if it phases him or not.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formul...
IainT said:
What was it for those of us hard of remembering?
Christian Horner said something about Martin being too old to have raced at Singapore, and Martin shot back that at least he'd been fast enough to have made it into F1. And the followed up by observing that Horner had then found another way into F1. JonRB said:
IainT said:
What was it for those of us hard of remembering?
Christian Horner said something about Martin being too old to have raced at Singapore, and Martin shot back that at least he'd been fast enough to have made it into F1. And the followed up by observing that Horner had then found another way into F1. Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff