The Official 2015 Melbourne Grand Prix Thread ***Spoilers***

[jbudgie]

Wish that they would cut back a bit more on the coaching as well.

Someone ( Rosberg ?) was told to go a bit easier on the brakes-- surely coaching.

[hairyben]

Jasandjules said:

hairyben said:

he was never more than 4.x secs behind hamilton and closed several times at will to within 1.5 before hamilton responded - to talk of him being all washed up is quite imperceptive.

Which just shows how in control Lewis was. At any point he could just move further ahead to prevent Nico getting into DRS.

However, I think it is too soon to say he is dejected, but he must be gutted that he put in a LOT of simulator time and got fairly drubbed.

Let's see how the next race goes.

very much so, but my point was that teammates being outclassed by a second or two every lap is not unusual; I'm sure if lewis could have easily put a 10 or 20 sec cushion on rosberg he'd have done so, so while the 1-2 lacked fireworks it was pretty close, they were probably under strictest not to do anything tttish at the first race so perhaps Rosberg didn't want to explore the limit too hard but no 2 is not a game I'd bet on him playing for long.

[rdjohn]

RichB said:

rdjohn said:

Last year was thrilling because of Mercedes DNFs, driver conflicts and final race double points, threw up seemingly. Herculean challenges for Lewis.

This year Mercedes seems to have fixed both the first two issues ...

You are suggesting that Mercedes have told Rosberg he is subordinate to Hamilton whereas in fact there is nothing to support this. Care to expand on your thinking?

Perhaps you were away in 2014


The season was marked by a series of controversies, particularly around Rosberg's on-track behaviour at the Monaco and Belgian Grands Prix.
In Monaco, he went off the track in qualifying and prevented Hamilton having a chance to beat him to pole position, an incident the Englishman believes was deliberate.
And in Spa, the two collided while disputing the lead on the second lap, which eventually led to Hamilton retiring from the race. Mercedes blamed Rosberg for the incident and fined him.

The team again plan to let their drivers race freely - starting with this weekend's season-opener in Australia - with the proviso they do not crash into each other.
"The situation is different," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told BBC Radio 5 live. "Last year the pressure was very big to win the championship and we were very keen on scoring in every single race.
"The pressure is still there but it's maybe a more relaxed approach this year.
"It was a very conscious decision to let them fight and we're going to have the same approach.
"We have spent a lot of time talking about it. We have looked at the many critical situations from last year. But then it would be very naïve to think it's not happening again this year."

I read elsewhere that both drivers were threatened with suspension if something similar to Spa happens again. They have clearly been read the riot Act.

Nico will be a dad come the crucial time in 2015, his comments on the podium yesterday coveyed the possibility that he viewed Lewis as Champion. My points about DNFs and double points are probably more relevant, as they effectively kept the UK press engaged for the full 2014 season.

Any more races like yesterday and you can be certain that they will not be engaged by the end of the season.

[longblackcoat]

jbudgie said:

longblackcoat said:

550M said:

I didn't hear any reference at all over the weekend as to why Lewis is running 44 this term, not No 1. I understand that the drivers now have their own 'number for life', but I understood that the World Champion still wears the coveted No 1. Seb ran it last year. Did I miss a 20 minute article on the subject???

All about brand value - Lewis is far from stupid, and is trying to make '44' and 'Lewis Hamilton' synonymous. He's following in the footsteps of David Beckham et al in this.

One of the key things for a brand, so the marketeers tell us, is authenticity. And Lewis is demonstrating that 44 is more important to him than number 1, that 44 is part of his rise to the top, that 44 is all about triumph over adversity. That no matter what, he'll stay true to 44.

It may be total cobblers, but in cold hard cash terms 44 is a lot more important in flogging T-shirts than number 1.

And now he's got it tattooed behind his ear it might be difficult to get rid of.

Well, yes, that too!

[550M]

longblackcoat said:

550M said:

I didn't hear any reference at all over the weekend as to why Lewis is running 44 this term, not No 1. I understand that the drivers now have their own 'number for life', but I understood that the World Champion still wears the coveted No 1. Seb ran it last year. Did I miss a 20 minute article on the subject???

All about brand value - Lewis is far from stupid, and is trying to make '44' and 'Lewis Hamilton' synonymous. He's following in the footsteps of David Beckham et al in this.

One of the key things for a brand, so the marketeers tell us, is authenticity. And Lewis is demonstrating that 44 is more important to him than number 1, that 44 is part of his rise to the top, that 44 is all about triumph over adversity. That no matter what, he'll stay true to 44.

It may be total cobblers, but in cold hard cash terms 44 is a lot more important in flogging T-shirts than number 1.

I fully accept the 'brand' reasoning, as far as Lewis goes. I was a little surprised nothing was made of it on TV though.

I would have thought Mercedes might have a view on it though, as 44 means nothing to them, whereas the number 1 is a clear statement.

[andygo]

rdjohn said:

Perhaps you were away in 2014


The season was marked by a series of controversies, particularly around Rosberg's on-track behaviour at the Monaco and Belgian Grands Prix.
In Monaco, he went off the track in qualifying and prevented Hamilton having a chance to beat him to pole position, an incident the Englishman believes was deliberate.
And in Spa, the two collided while disputing the lead on the second lap, which eventually led to Hamilton retiring from the race. Mercedes blamed Rosberg for the incident and fined him.

The team again plan to let their drivers race freely - starting with this weekend's season-opener in Australia - with the proviso they do not crash into each other.
"The situation is different," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told BBC Radio 5 live. "Last year the pressure was very big to win the championship and we were very keen on scoring in every single race.
"The pressure is still there but it's maybe a more relaxed approach this year.
"It was a very conscious decision to let them fight and we're going to have the same approach.
"We have spent a lot of time talking about it. We have looked at the many critical situations from last year. But then it would be very naïve to think it's not happening again this year."

I read elsewhere that both drivers were threatened with suspension if something similar to Spa happens again. They have clearly been read the riot Act.

Nico will be a dad come the crucial time in 2015, his comments on the podium yesterday coveyed the possibility that he viewed Lewis as Champion. My points about DNFs and double points are probably more relevant, as they effectively kept the UK press engaged for the full 2014 season.

Any more races like yesterday and you can be certain that they will not be engaged by the end of the season.

Laughed at Niki Lauda's response to that twit Lazenby's question about the 'Mercedes bible of Rules of Engagement'. Niki said that Toto and Paddy had written a bible 2' thick. Niki told them to throw it away as they (the drivers) would never read it anyway."

[LeeThr]

longblackcoat said:

jbudgie said:

longblackcoat said:

550M said:

I didn't hear any reference at all over the weekend as to why Lewis is running 44 this term, not No 1. I understand that the drivers now have their own 'number for life', but I understood that the World Champion still wears the coveted No 1. Seb ran it last year. Did I miss a 20 minute article on the subject???

All about brand value - Lewis is far from stupid, and is trying to make '44' and 'Lewis Hamilton' synonymous. He's following in the footsteps of David Beckham et al in this.

One of the key things for a brand, so the marketeers tell us, is authenticity. And Lewis is demonstrating that 44 is more important to him than number 1, that 44 is part of his rise to the top, that 44 is all about triumph over adversity. That no matter what, he'll stay true to 44.

It may be total cobblers, but in cold hard cash terms 44 is a lot more important in flogging T-shirts than number 1.

And now he's got it tattooed behind his ear it might be difficult to get rid of.

Well, yes, that too!

One of the interviews with Lewis in one of the build up programs to the race on sky, specifically touched on this issue. The exact(ish) words he used was it being like a marriage #1's the filthy we who's been around everyone, where as #44 has only been with him. Apparently he does have a small #1 on the back of his helmet.

[RichB]

rdjohn said:

RichB said:

rdjohn said:

Last year was thrilling because of Mercedes DNFs, driver conflicts and final race double points, threw up seemingly. Herculean challenges for Lewis.

This year Mercedes seems to have fixed both the first two issues ...

You are suggesting that Mercedes have told Rosberg he is subordinate to Hamilton whereas in fact there is nothing to support this. Care to expand on your thinking?

Perhaps you were away in 2014...

Why the need for the sarcasm? It was a straight forward question.

Pistonheads seems full of people with attitude these days.

[Teppic]

LeeThr said:

longblackcoat said:

jbudgie said:

longblackcoat said:

550M said:

I didn't hear any reference at all over the weekend as to why Lewis is running 44 this term, not No 1. I understand that the drivers now have their own 'number for life', but I understood that the World Champion still wears the coveted No 1. Seb ran it last year. Did I miss a 20 minute article on the subject???

All about brand value - Lewis is far from stupid, and is trying to make '44' and 'Lewis Hamilton' synonymous. He's following in the footsteps of David Beckham et al in this.

One of the key things for a brand, so the marketeers tell us, is authenticity. And Lewis is demonstrating that 44 is more important to him than number 1, that 44 is part of his rise to the top, that 44 is all about triumph over adversity. That no matter what, he'll stay true to 44.

It may be total cobblers, but in cold hard cash terms 44 is a lot more important in flogging T-shirts than number 1.

And now he's got it tattooed behind his ear it might be difficult to get rid of.

Well, yes, that too!

Apparently he does have a small #1 on the back of his helmet.

Not where I'd have had it tattooed, if I'm honest.

Edited by Teppic on Monday 16th March 19:24

[007 VXR]

Teppic said:

LeeThr said:

longblackcoat said:

jbudgie said:

longblackcoat said:

550M said:

I didn't hear any reference at all over the weekend as to why Lewis is running 44 this term, not No 1. I understand that the drivers now have their own 'number for life', but I understood that the World Champion still wears the coveted No 1. Seb ran it last year. Did I miss a 20 minute article on the subject???

All about brand value - Lewis is far from stupid, and is trying to make '44' and 'Lewis Hamilton' synonymous. He's following in the footsteps of David Beckham et al in this.

One of the key things for a brand, so the marketeers tell us, is authenticity. And Lewis is demonstrating that 44 is more important to him than number 1, that 44 is part of his rise to the top, that 44 is all about triumph over adversity. That no matter what, he'll stay true to 44.

It may be total cobblers, but in cold hard cash terms 44 is a lot more important in flogging T-shirts than number 1.

And now he's got it tattooed behind his ear it might be difficult to get rid of.

Well, yes, that too!

Apparently he does have a small #1 on the back of his helmet.

Not where I'd have had it tattooed, if I'm honest.

Edited by Teppic on Monday 16th March 19:24

[Matt..]

Random thought for today... Max Verstappen was 2yrs old when Jenson had his first F1 race. That must make all of us feel old!

[hettonmassive]

Another boring race. Mercedes could save millions by getting rid ov Hamilton and putting the cheapest driver on the grid in his car and would still be 1-2. Drivers championship should be scrapped, credit to Mercedes tho.

[Red555]

ferrisbueller said:

TonyF said:

Where was the racing upfront ?
I feel desperately sorry for hamilton because he wants to win this year ( a resounding given anyway) to equal his idols (ayrton senna) 3 world titles.
In sennas day, he had to fight every inch of every lap to win and he did that very well, whereas hamilton / rosberg could stop for lunch mid race.... how is that "winning".
Very shallow victories, bring back hard fought wins bernie before its to late.
F1 is a bloody farce.

1988

1992

[hairyben]

550M said:

I would have thought Mercedes might have a view on it though, as 44 means nothing to them, whereas the number 1 is a clear statement.

To be fair in the fullness of time a car liveried with certain drivers unique(ish) numbers may be more special, in the same way a number46 yamaha is iconic and evocative.

surprised they don't just let the car carry both, ie the car will be 44 but allowed to display a 1 as part of it's livery as well

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Red555 said:

ferrisbueller said:

TonyF said:

Where was the racing upfront ?
I feel desperately sorry for hamilton because he wants to win this year ( a resounding given anyway) to equal his idols (ayrton senna) 3 world titles.
In sennas day, he had to fight every inch of every lap to win and he did that very well, whereas hamilton / rosberg could stop for lunch mid race.... how is that "winning".
Very shallow victories, bring back hard fought wins bernie before its to late.
F1 is a bloody farce.

1988

1992

That would be quite a good question-name a triple world champion that didn't have one totally dominant season.

Piquet? Lauda?

[LeeThr]

007 VXR said:

Teppic said:

LeeThr said:

longblackcoat said:

jbudgie said:

longblackcoat said:

550M said:

I didn't hear any reference at all over the weekend as to why Lewis is running 44 this term, not No 1. I understand that the drivers now have their own 'number for life', but I understood that the World Champion still wears the coveted No 1. Seb ran it last year. Did I miss a 20 minute article on the subject???

All about brand value - Lewis is far from stupid, and is trying to make '44' and 'Lewis Hamilton' synonymous. He's following in the footsteps of David Beckham et al in this.

One of the key things for a brand, so the marketeers tell us, is authenticity. And Lewis is demonstrating that 44 is more important to him than number 1, that 44 is part of his rise to the top, that 44 is all about triumph over adversity. That no matter what, he'll stay true to 44.

It may be total cobblers, but in cold hard cash terms 44 is a lot more important in flogging T-shirts than number 1.

And now he's got it tattooed behind his ear it might be difficult to get rid of.

Well, yes, that too!

Apparently he does have a small #1 on the back of his helmet.

Not where I'd have had it tattooed, if I'm honest.

Edited by Teppic on Monday 16th March 19:24

Touché

[dr_gn]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Red555 said:

ferrisbueller said:

TonyF said:

Where was the racing upfront ?
I feel desperately sorry for hamilton because he wants to win this year ( a resounding given anyway) to equal his idols (ayrton senna) 3 world titles.
In sennas day, he had to fight every inch of every lap to win and he did that very well, whereas hamilton / rosberg could stop for lunch mid race.... how is that "winning".
Very shallow victories, bring back hard fought wins bernie before its to late.
F1 is a bloody farce.

1988

1992

That would be quite a good question-name a triple world champion that didn't have one totally dominant season.

Piquet? Lauda?

Senna.

[Mr_Thyroid]

hairyben said:

Targarama said:

Cabinet Enforcer said:

Early signs from Rosberg that he is a beaten man, I hope not as I was looking forward to another season long ding dong battle.

I hope not, but in an interview before the race he said "that was a world champion qualifying time" and after the race he said something along the lines or "Lewis drove like the champion he is" - hardly confidence inspiring for Nico to big-up his arch rival like that.

Edited by Targarama on Monday 16th March 16:16

To be fair after some of the episodes last season he's probably just been freshly reminded he's under stricktest orders to be nice/lay off any funny stuff, I daresay he'll let it slip from his mind at convenient opportunities as the season progresses. Rosberg is fiercely competitive - he was never more than 4.x secs behind hamilton and closed several times at will to within 1.5 before hamilton responded - to talk of him being all washed up is quite imperceptive.

Nonsense - Nico is a big boy and doesn't need to be told how to refer to his team mate. He's been racing for many years and knows when he's been beaten fair and square.

Alternatively he's taking the opportunity to put a seed in Hamilton's mind that says "you're the champ - you got me beat already" whilst doubling his efforts behind the scenes.

[Mr_Thyroid]

dr_gn said:

More correctly, it will never be as good as I remember it. Maybe, but then again I used to attend races and appreciated the variety and sound of the cars. The racing might have been OK in some races last year, but almost totally contrived.

It's "F1-lite" for a hard of thinking TV audience these days, complete with Disney special effect spark generators.

Erm.... are the sparks not being generated in exactly the same way as they were in the 80s and 90s?

[LAWSY1]

Yes, sadly i agree wholeheartedly. Methinks their ste life obviously takes its toll and seems to remove their S.O.H. and thus 'speed matters not'

RichB said:

Why the need for the sarcasm? It was a straight forward question.

Pistonheads seems full of people with attitude these days.