Stewart hoping rosberg can beat Hamilton to next years title

Sir Jackie Stewart has expressed his hope that Nico Rosberg can up his game and beat his Mercedes team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, to the 2016 World Championship.

Rosberg has had to watch on as Hamilton secured the 2014 and 2015 Championships, with the German finishing second on both occasions.

After sitting in Hamilton's shadow for much of the recently-completed campaign, Rosberg ended the season in fine fashion, winning the last three races of the year from pole position.

Rosberg is hoping to carry that positive momentum into 2016, and Stewart, who like Hamilton is a three-time World Champion, believes that Rosberg has what it takes to win the title – if he can make the step up in crunch moments.

"It would be good if he won the title. That would be very good," said Stewart.

He added: "There is nothing to stop Rosberg winning. He is quick. We have seen him have so many pole positions. He is smoother (than Hamilton).

"Lewis is quite aggressive so therefore he has won more races because of that aggression, but sometimes that can bite you also."

The Scot continued: "He is good, and there is no question about it. The trouble is you have to be very good and he has got to just step up that little bit extra."

There have been suggestions that the role reversal at Mercedes in the closing stages of the season has been as a result of Hamilton relaxing somewhat after he won the Championship, but while team boss Toto Wolff does not feel this is the case, he admitted it is possible that Hamilton has subconsciously taken his foot off the gas.

"No, because I don't think that this would have been something that was done consciously," Wolff said when asked if he had noticed a drop in intensity.

"He is still pushing very hard – he still has the same talent and puts the same effort into his races. But yes, it could play a role."

 

And I'm hoping Vettel/Kimi will beat both of them whilst the merc duo squable over places and the right of pitstops!

 

Absolutely!

 

https://www.facebook.com/sootysworld/videos/843392675759299/?fref=nf

 

I'm hoping Vettel definitely beats them. Not so keen on kimi also beating them as that would imply a hugely dominant Ferrari which would mean another dull one team season...

 

hahaha. Not gonna lie, my answer would be very similar.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

+2

 

At least it would be the right team! Forza Ferrari

 

Me too. The closer the Mercs are to each other the better for us.

 

Stewart and others can hope all they want. Unless Hamilton drops the ball by partying /traveling like a maniac I don't see it happening.

Nico had 3 years to figure out Hamilton as a F1 teammate and even longer before F1. If he couldn't raise his game for the last 15+ years what makes you think he will suddenly raise his game to Hamilton's level in 2016?
Hamilton will need to lose focus in order for Nico to win.

I'm going by statistics of the last 15+ years. You guys can go by hope or by the last 3 races of 2015. Good luck!

 

But it's the last three races, could have easily been five from six, and is it 6 qualifying P1s? I'd say Elton will have to up his game next year. Hopefully it won't matter and Ferrari stomp on both of them

 

It's been very close for 2 years....with Hamilton getting the better of Nico most times....with the help of the team, of course.

but close it is, so close that it only takes the slightest change to make a difference...hence the last 6 poles and last 3 wins. Just like that!

Next year's Mercedes winner will be more dependant on the team's wishes than the drivers IMO.

 

No way! Next year's Mercedes winner , or rather looser, will be entirely dependant on Ferrari!

 

It doesn't surprise me. When Hamilton is winning you see some Toto/Niki conspiracy. When the whole world sees a team take off a wing from #2 driver to put on #1 driver you still think #1 driver is a brilliant legend for beating #2 driver...LOL

 

Agree totally! The whole Merc/Toto/Lauda approach is smelly.....

 

Well, we live in hope!

*shakes head*

seriously, you have no idea. surely you're not for one second inferring that I don't think there was favouritism for Vettel in RB , are you??

 

No idea why Jackie would want his own countryman to lose.

 

Well, I don't know but I could speculate if you like...

In the British press, Sir Jackie has been critical of a number of aspects of Hamilton's career/lifestyle, saying a range of things such as that he needs to focus, learn greater self control, and portray a more humble demeanour. It was reported that he's invited Hamilton to his house on a few occasions but that Hamilton didn't attend - Sir Jackie says Hamilton is unwise not to seek the counsel of the older generation. However, he never derides Hamilton's talent, which he consistently praises.

I get the impression that he feels Hamilton's behaviour isn't becoming of a champion. Rosberg comes across as a little more refined and gentlemenly by comparison, overall more clean-cut and a better role model. F1 has always had a vascade of respectability and class about its social scene, whereas Hamilton befriends rappers and has covered himself in tattoos - basically, he shares similar opinions to many FChatters, so you guys would probably like Sir Jackie these days too. So this may be why Sir Jackie prefers Rosberg for the 2016 title. Also, I suspect like most fans, Sir Jackie would like to see a bit of variety in the championship result.

Again, I don't know that's right, but it would seem to fit in with what I recall from the press reports on Sir Jackie about Hamilton. Happy to entertain alternate analyses if anyone else has a theory.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

You would think someone that lived through the swinging 60s wouldn't be such a square...at least I would.

 

He paid his dues, won three WDC's in 99 starts and buried many comrades along the way. His opinion has validity IMO.

 

Jackie is Scottish, Hamilton is English .... no further explanation required.

 

But what does that have to do with Hamilton's lifestyle? I mean, I'm not really a fan of Hamilton - I think he is disingenuous, but I think he should live whatever kind of life, in whatever style he wants, so long as it doesn't affect his performance. His third world title seems to support that opinion.

 

Stewart is just afraid that Hamilton becomes the most successful British driver by winning a 4th title thus trumping Stewart's 3.

 

...recent performance and early morning car crash don't.