Has Lewis broken Nico?

Has Lewis broken Nico?

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Discussion

StevieBee

Original Poster:

12,794 posts

254 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Early days I know but I can't help feeling that Nico's just not on it this year.

Last season, his trump card was qualifying but Lewis seems to have worked that one out and his demeanour is lacking that feistiness that made the season last year so intriguing.

As I say, too early to read too much into this but will be interesting to see this develop.


Mermaid

21,492 posts

170 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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They have to work together to keep the Ferraris at bay.

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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It does seem it a little. I think Nico knows he doesn't have the skills to overtake Lewis on track and in Aus Lewis was what, half a second a lap faster? That has be hard to take.

Darranu

338 posts

219 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Absolutely, Nico seem's to be so focused on what Lewis is doing he's no longer racing his own race.

Totally over thinking it, Lewis has definitely got into his head which is a tad ironic as it always came across to me like it was nico trying to play mind game's.

Not a Lewis fan but he really seems in the grove this season so far whereas Nico seems to be a bit awkward.

peter tdci

1,753 posts

149 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Mermaid said:
They have to work together to keep the Ferraris at bay.
Given the body language and lack of eye contact between Hamilton and Rosberg yesterday in that room they go to just before the podium, then I'd say that working together would be the last resort wink

Maybe it's too early into the season to talk about the way the two of them feel about each other, but I'm surprised that the TV commentators didn't mention it (unless I missed it).

mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Nico should be at the top of his game right now.

If he cant fight Lewis properly in the next few races, I think its over for him in terms of the WDC.


anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Yup it's all over for Nico, is it even mathematically possible for him to win any more? He's gone. hehe

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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I think it's a bit premature to be writing him off.

He seems to have huge confidence issues when he's behind but this early in the season it would only take one DNF or stupid tactical decision by Hamilton on a circuit where Mercedes are dominant to put him in front and I suspect that would do a lot to pick him up, mentally.

Perversely, I think Ferrari genuinely catching up with Mercedes would give Nico a greater chance of winning the title than Mercedes being dominant simply because it would introduce a greater random element. If Mercedes aren't being pushed, I think it's much less likely that Hamilton will make the mistakes that Rosberg seems to need in order to keep his confidence.

Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 19:51

Disastrous

10,072 posts

216 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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kambites said:
I think it's a bit premature to be writing him off.
I agree with that but would also add that he's not a good enough actor to convincingly pull off the "All I can say is 'Game On, Ferrari!" patter on the podium... hehe


Smollet

10,465 posts

189 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Nico was never that good so the writing is on the wall. He's a show pony. A good second fiddle to Lewis. Nothing more.

London424

12,826 posts

174 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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I said on another thread but the 'no coaching' over the radio has killed him.

I think he takes instruction very well and when told exactly what to do he's as fast as Lewis.

Now he can't be told he's back to that 2/3 tenths a lap slower.

vx220

2,689 posts

233 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Did I hear he was going to be a dad? If so, that's got to play on your mind a bit...

entropy

5,403 posts

202 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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StevieBee said:
Last season, his trump card was qualifying but Lewis seems to have worked that one out
Lewis made a lot of errors in quali last year because he was trying too hard.

998420

900 posts

150 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Lo
kambites said:
I think it's a bit premature to be writing him off.

He seems to have huge confidence issues when he's behind but this early in the season it would only take one DNF or stupid tactical decision by Hamilton on a circuit where Mercedes are dominant to put him in front and I suspect that would do a lot to pick him up, mentally.

Perversely, I think Ferrari genuinely catching up with Mercedes would give Nico a greater chance of winning the title than Mercedes being dominant simply because it would introduce a greater random element. If Mercedes aren't being pushed, I think it's much less likely that Hamilton will make the mistakes that Rosberg seems to need in order to keep his confidence.

Edited by kambites on Monday 30th March 19:51
No, with Ferrari and eventually maybe McLaren up there near Mercedes, Rosberg has much more chance to be caught up in traffic, as he was this weekend, highlighting his inferior overtaking skills.

Schermerhorn

4,342 posts

188 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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Lewis traditionally has a brain fart or two every season along with a mid season slump. That'll be Nico's chance to claw back some confidence and points unless his confidence is totally shot and Vettel/Raikonnen are on fire and end up seperating the two Mercs further and further in points.

Europa1

10,923 posts

187 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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London424 said:
I said on another thread but the 'no coaching' over the radio has killed him.

I think he takes instruction very well and when told exactly what to do he's as fast as Lewis.

Now he can't be told he's back to that 2/3 tenths a lap slower.
I agree. I can't remember if it was in qualifying or the race, but Rosberg was on the radio to the pits asking for information and his engineer replied "Coaching is not allowed", and a couple of times in the race he asked for information and sounded a bit desperate.

Dunit

637 posts

204 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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There is no way Lewis would have let Seb off the hook at the 1st corner like Nico did, If the Ferraris do prove a real threat then Merc may reduce him to a support role.
I wonder if fixation in beating Lewis is getting to him to the extent of holding back Information.
Funny that with Lewis missing out all the long run data in the 1st session when the temp was high they had to rely on Nicos feedback , This turned out to be off when it came to the race.

Lost soul

8,712 posts

181 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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I thought he looked broken in some way very down , and then with Seb appearing at the front in fine form could not have helped much smile

andy-xr

13,204 posts

203 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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I think he concerns himself more with trying to finish and get points rather than trying to win the race. I can see why, as it's a decent strategy for himself and the team, but the problem is he's not aggressive enough when he needs to fight others off. A driver more than a racer and probably a good bridesmaid

sinbad666

184 posts

207 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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I dont agree.. Compared to last year Lewis was better than Nico on the first 3 races so i believe its still early days. Last year Lewis had engine problems in Australia which meant that Nico got a jump on him points wise. Lewis won Malaysia and then Lewis won China, but Nico was much stronger in China and would have competed for the win imo had he not had a spin in the final (rain) session of Q3.

What I have seen so far is that Nicos long run pace is actually much much better this year and his fuel consumption has been as good if not better than Lewis, these were lewis trump cards last year. On the flip side, lewis does seem much more confident and his Qualifying runs have shown that.

It will be an interesting year but I think Nico will be strong again this year. What could make the difference is that Nico got under Lewis skin last year Spa/Monaco, but I think watching qualifying in Malaysia made me think he's going to be abit firmer with Nico. I think Nico will have races where he is strong and Lewis will have races where he is strong, overall I just think Lewis is a better driver and will come out on top.


Also to mention, I said after the first race in Australia that had Vettel not got held up in traffi he may have been pushing for the win, in Malaysia they showed there true pace although i think Mercedes made it easy for them, again in China I think Ferrari can be pushing for a win.