FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2016: RACE *** SPOILERS ***

Elton fans won't believe it though, they still see him as some kind of God. What I can't understand is why Mercedes are even allowing this to go on late in the race. It was quite funny as the sky commentary, once they realised Nico had come out in front from his second stop, immediately commented, and I can't remember the exact wording of what was said, that there would now be fireworks if Elton wasn't allowed to simply pass Nico, clearly indicating they expected Elton to risk an accident to try to win. Through the race when it was obvious Nico was faster and was on track to win, were devastated and suggesting that Mercedes should hold him up in the pits to give Elton the win back just because he started in front. Biased as always, why should Mercedes have made Nico back off, he raced better, fair and square. The coming together was the result of Nico realising the Elton wasn't going to simply let him be faster and win, he knew Elton would at some point take a massive punt into him, and I guess he figured it was better to try to control the accident himself than do 3 miles wondering at what point the numbskull would hit him. He gave Elton the choice of waiting for him to turn and losing ground, or turning in regardless and having an accident. As always, Elton votes for accident and luckily for him, got the least damage - certainly doesn't make him a god, makes him a tool. Nico shouldn't have bothered playing the game, he should have waiting for the risky pass on the outside in a faster corner and driven him off the track giving him nowhere to go, but it happened, never mind, Nico demonstrated all day he was the better, faster driver, and the fact he was robbed of a win simply means that he still has the upper hand. Mercedes need to see the damage Elton is doing to their reputation with his war on fair play and make him number two from now on

 

No more than Elton 2008 champion..that was a farse!!!

 

10:25 - F1 News, Drivers, Results - Formula 1 Live Online | Sky Sports

Mercedes are considering taking the ultimate sanction against Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg by suspending them if they err again, according to The Daily Telegraph.

'Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg could be fined or even suspended by Mercedes if they crash again under drastic deterrents being considered by the world champions in a bid to avoid imposing team orders,' the newspaper reports.

While team boss Toto Wolff said immediately after Sunday's race that he was considering imposing team orders, it's claimed the world champions are considering even more drastic action.

'The Telegraph understands increasingly exasperated team bosses feel they have been left with no choice but to act firmly and decisively after Hamilton and Rosberg collided for the third time in five races in Austria on Sunday.

'This could include either a sporting penalty – the ultimate sanction being to take one or both drivers out of the car – or a financial one, a fine worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. How exactly the system would work when there is no clear culprit for a collision, which was not the case on Sunday with Rosberg penalised by the stewards, remains unclear' (Full story - external site)

 

Lol, as if they would suspend either driver during a championship run. Bollocks. Utter, utter, bollocks and an insult to people with even half a brain.

 

I posted this elsewhere, and wonder what thoughts are here.
Just had a chat with one of my works mates on the ongoing excitement at F1 races. His take, and I think he's spot on, is that Rosberg is being engineered to take the title this year (this was my position from the end of last year as well). My reason: Mercedes wants to sell more cars in Germany (Rosberg is German?), and Italy (Rosberg is seen by the Italian press as Italian - he speaks really great Italian).

But my mate's comment is: If Mercedes let the two cars run under team orders, they would both run off, and no one would see them. This way, the team gets lots of coverage, and their sponsors even more.

So, Mercedes and its sponsors get plenty of free TV coverage, we get the excitement, probably know Rosberg will be World Champion.

So actually, this whole spectacle may be playing out as planned.

Any thoughts??Show less

So instead of taking a nap mid race, even I continue to watch it. As my mate said, this is like the classic Senna / Prost fight, and he expects that someone will make a film about it, and this battle will be discussed for years to come.

 

I agree Dom, but not with the Senna versus Prost comparison.

The reason I think Nico is being engineered to win the WDC is it 100% proves it is the Mercedes car that is dominant, not the driver.
Pete

 

Maybe unlikely but what if Hamilton crashes in practice at Silverstone and gets suspended for the race. Can you imagine what the reaction of the British media? Would make Brexit look like a kids party.............

 

As another one of my work mates notes, cars seem to have 3 year lives (following the rules). Meaning, if the car launches well, and is fast, then it will continue to win for up to 3 years. And the Ferrari was launched in an awful state 3 years ago, and at least, it is the best of the rest.

Those minor differences that make the car either a winner or a loser escape me.

 

I didn't say that Nigel Farage could become PM, i said maybe you thought that ...just as you maybe continue to hope that Nicole will be WDC.

Please continue with your oh so witty comments regarding Lewis,always good for a laugh!

 

Maybe i was watching a different race...

Nico wasn't robbed of anything he just screwed himself with that dumb move,he was very lucky to retain 4th place.

Lewis won = Karma.

I think MB can see very clearly the damage that Nicole actually did do,losing a great chance of a 1-2 finish,losing points in the constructors championship,almost taking out both cars by driving straight into his teamate.

Making Hamilton No2 driver behind Nicole? That is hilarious of course.Please carry on.

 

Rosberg needs to work on his blocking work. He had a very solid race, Lewis lost a little time in the pit, made a mistake after that, and was around 2 seconds behind him, Rosberg on older tires managed to grow the gap to 7 seconds before the SC. Lewis got given the better tires to get to the end and it took brake issues for Rosberg so that Hamilton could overtake him.

Brilliant qualifying from him, nothing to say about that, but a lackluster weekend from him IMO.

 

+1

 

Lewis does seem a little off his game this year in comparison to previous seasons. Unlike precious years, it doesn't feel inevitable that he'll be the one to clinch the WDC. He still might, but it feels less of a sure thing this year.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

+44

Some folks are still missing the point that Hamilton is a 3 times WDC and the other one has zero championships. This didnt happen by chance

Also Rosberg has no personality whereas Hamilton is becoming a globally marketable mega star. Much more interesting to the brand of MB and the fans

 

I suspect those who find Hamilton's tattooed rapper brand appealing are less likely to be able to afford a new Mercedes than those who would be drawn to Rosberg's clean-cut suited image. Mercedes and Maybach with SUV-sized chrome rims are the choice cars for any multiple gold chain-adorned rapper anyway.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Andrew, you forgot that the young crowd is drawn to the hip hop lifestyle. Mercedes' bread and butter cars are the E class, and this demographic is willing to make monthly payments on them. They'll change them whenever their car is paid off, or when the lease runs out.

 

What he said.

Plus: Look around (at least in the US). EVERYBODY has tattoos (I hate them and don't have any, but I'm old). ANY celebrity has tattoos. They are everywhere just like iPhones.

That aside I don't think that's the point about Hamilton being a global star vs Rosberg. Nico simply is a bore and has zero name recognition. People who know nothing to little about F1 (and the US is full of them) have at least heard the name Hamilton and can place him vaguely. Nobody knows Rosberg.

Hamilton rubs many people the wrong way with the rapper bad boy image and all that. Personally I couldn't care less about any of that stuff, but that's neither here nor there. The point is that he has shock value and name recognition. Any PR is good PR. His face is known and can be used to sell merchandise on a global basis.

PS: IMHO the biggest mistake Hamilton made from a PR perspective was to dump Sherzinger. She added a lot of star celebrity to his name. Unlike most F1 girlfriends/wives who are mostly unknowns.

 

You're just pissed you don't see her jumping up and down in the garage anymore.


http://i.imgur.com/xWs3I.gif

 

I don't know that Hamilton is doing his reputation any good with all his rap star BS. Did you hear all the booing during interviews? A lot of people do not like him. I think MB is in the unenviable position of having two good drivers who don't have the personality to carry the marketing bag. If only Valentino Rossi were giving PR lessons.

 

Stop reading my mind

 

That audience was German speaking. Go figure

 

Depending on where you live, young people consider MB cars for old people. Hell, I'm 48 and still consider them cars for old people. The young people I know all want BMWs.

 

Booing is spoken in different languages? Who knew? I guess silence isn't an option if you have nothing to say?

 

Absolutely. It's one thing to say no publicity is bad publicity, but everyone being of the opinion you are a total tool can't be good on any level, gawd knows how he keeps a straight face about it.

 

Hahaha