Rosberg. whats gonna be his strategy

[Abe007]

So, Assuming Nico gets pole and leads the race on Sunday, what is his strategy from here, does he try and back Lewis up and hope other drivers get in the mix potentially causing an accident. Does he just drive off and hope Lewis has reliability issues.

I think he has got to try something, even so, given they will probably finish 1-2 Its Hamilton's, or ?

[Abe007]

Derek Smith said:

Abe007 said:

So, Assuming Nico gets pole and leads the race on Sunday, what is his strategy from here, does he try and back Lewis up and hope other drivers get in the mix potentially causing an accident. Does he just drive off and hope Lewis has reliability issues.

I think he has got to try something, even so, given they will probably finish 1-2 Its Hamilton's, or ?

I had the conversation after the last race.

The general consensus was that he has got to be quick off the line as LH is pretty nifty in the early stages. So that means a gap opening up between the Mercs and the rest of the field fairly early on. Not much we thought, but that was when we expected Williams to be fast here. So maybe a bit off there.

The question was whether NR can allow LH to close up with the DRS being a significant advantage at the circuit.

The option pushed by one bloke was that NR will push LH off during an overtake, but there were objections to that. If NR goes for the inside and with the intent to run wide then he will have to brake later than LH, but off line, and that's not NR's strength. If he goes on the outside and LH gets to the corner first then he'll be past.

Even if NR did manage to counter the attempts at DRS overtakes then all that happens is that he's kept him back in to the WDC position.

More to the point I think, no criticism of your post, is LH's tactics.

If he goes for second then it will be second unless an overtake presents itself. Regardless of his supposedly more mature approach, he is unable to resist an overtake if it presents itself.

I reckon he might allow NR his lead until the second tyre change. He'll go for an overtake whilst NR is in the pits. This circuit allows cars to push at most spots without danger.

NR will, I think, have to go for something like tyre husbandry, hoping that LH will be kept on on worn rubber. However, if I was LH, I go for a change in tyre strategy. Perhaps a three-stopper, going out on the final stage on new super softs. That way the only time they'd be on the same bit of circuit would be on the first few laps and the last few.

I can't see this being an exciting race if LH keeps a sensible approach.

So the possibility of some excitement.

Yes, The ball is very much in LH court, It will be interesting to see if NR does have anything up his sleeve (or in his pocket ) but surely he has got to try and back him up somehow and allow others into the mix, assuming he gets pole, which is imperative. Either way its gonna be a nail biter leading up to lights out. been watching LH and he looks really cool and focused, just hope reliability is not an issue and we have a great final race.

[Abe007]

ash73 said:

I'm hoping Nico tries what Lorenzo did in MotoGP, spend 20 laps backing him into the Williams but remain sporting so if it doesn't work by the first stops clear off into the distance and hope Lewis chases and grenades his engine.

First he needs pole, which won't be easy, and clearing off into the distance won't be easy either!

I really don't think Nico has got much choice on Sunday, pole or not. If he gets pole and tries to hold Lewis up for 20 laps then for sure Lewis will mug him and be off, If he tries blocking him then he can only get away with weaving and holding him up for so long before he gets a penalty also.

If he gets pole then the first few laps will be crucial and somehow he will have to get others in the mix whilst holding up Lewis, but not for 20 laps, that wont work. then hope Lewis gets into a scrap and compromises his race.

[Abe007]

ash73 said:

There are certain parts of the track where he can just park it on the apex, but after the first couple of laps he'll need a reasonable gap when he goes into the DRS zones.

If I got a chance on the first lap I'd be tempted to invite Lewis up the outside somewhere and run him wide, a few other cars might get through. Wouldn't fancy my chances though

Yes, its an option, and I don't think he has too many either. Nico has never been in a situation like this before and I am not to sure he knows how to handle it best. I think Lewis will be too smart for any kind of block, hold up, traffic, etc etc and given half a chance he will blow Nico away at the first opportunity and be off down the road. Reliability will be more of a worry for Lewis for sure.

[Abe007]

Nico takes pole.

[Abe007]

AreOut said:

absolutely, but having hell of a risk and just a tiny bit of chance to succeed is a lot better than having no chance at all because in a clean race the 2nd place is guaranteed for that mercedes car even if it's driven by Takuma Sato let alone LH

so he simply has to slow down and lure LH into a battle, no other options for him

True, but Hamilton will be well aware of this fact, and so will the stewards too. Really its a case of dammed if he does try something and dammed if he doesn't. But agree he has got to have more than just hope that LH car fails.

[Abe007]

Here we go. Come on Lew, Lets do it.