Rosberg was 1 second faster in one sector alone on new Mediums compared to Hamilton doing hammer time laps on 20 lap old ones. Once Rosberg pitted there was zero merit in Hamilton staying out, other than to make a point to his team.
Mexican Grand Prix 2015, Mexico City - Race 17/19
- Thread starter Shimmy
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I still find the timing of both Mercedes to pit a second time odd/suspect.
For the last two seasons, Rosberg has tended to take a lot out of his tyres early on in stints, compared to Hamilton.
Which makes it a little odd that Rosberg came in for a second set of mediums after ~22 laps, but Hamilton was ordered to pit after after 21 laps (Rosberg came in for his first set of mediums two laps before Hamilton), IIRC.
Given they should not have had any indication that Vettel was going to crash and cause a safety car period a few laps later(), I could see the logic in both Mercedes pitting, because they were more than a pitstop ahead of third at the time.
But I cannot help but think that Hamilton was forced to pit several laps too early i.e. he had several laps of "hammer time" left in those initial mediums when he was instructed to come in.
Why do you think it is suspect? Mercedes were worried about wear and chose to pit Rosberg when there was a good window. They would have had every reason to believe Hamilton's tyres were in the same or worse condition, given that he was running in hot air behind Rosberg.
that was exactly what they protected themselves from by pitting when they did. If they both had to pit under safety car Hamilton would have to queue behind Rosberg while he had his tires changed and then he could possibly get stuck in pits while the other cars go pass their garage or risk unsafe release. Potentially loosing place/ more time to Rosberg.
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
Something Brundle mentioned was quite interesting... Did Rosberg push Hamilton longer knowing that Hamilton wouldn't be able to do "hammer time". Seemed to work, but perhaps that's giving Rosberg too much credit.
Thier pit stop strategy is just odd like that. They don't allow the other driver to do his own thing - I can understand if both wanted to pit the same lap or so, then give priority for the lead car, but to not allow Hamilton to pit say 5-10 laps early is odd.
I'd disagree and say he needs to prove to himself/the team that he can still challenge and beat Hamilton.
After being beaten in the championship by your team mate with 3 races to go the last thing you want to do get beaten 3 more times.
You're trying to make it more complicated than it is. Once the helmets on and the visors down, all that runs though the veins of these sportsmen is competition. Nothing else exists, just the track and the determination to be quickest to the flag. There's no way Ham or Ros weren't pushing 100 percent. This race (in terms of control) reminded me of Brazil last year - where Rosberg had an answer for everything Lewis tried - and that was whilst the WDC was still alive.
Both were pushing, Rosberg was better this race, heck he probably would have been better in Sochi until his pedal went fubar on him, and could've won in America too if he hadn't got caught out by that "gust of wind"... or whatever caused it, but it didn't happen, Lewis deserves the WDC this season as he's driven better, Rosberg drove better in Mexico, it's that simple.
Hamilton has said enough times he hates coming second, he hates losing (which second to him is) and all these things countless times now.
Both were pushing, Rosberg was better this race, heck he probably would have been better in Sochi until his pedal went fubar on him, and could've won in America too if he hadn't got caught out by that "gust of wind"... or whatever caused it, but it didn't happen, Lewis deserves the WDC this season as he's driven better, Rosberg drove better in Mexico, it's that simple.
Hamilton has said enough times he hates coming second, he hates losing (which second to him is) and all these things countless times now.
Citation needed.
I have found "Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes have "felt the need to be extra warm" to team-mate Nico Rosberg since the Briton won his third World Championship."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/34706265
In my opinion only I think that Merc will be extra nice to Nico to try and get him ready for next year and make him feel his wanted.
Seems a bit petty don't you think?
If you were World Champion and matured as everyone claims, surely you would understand that this is exactly what Rosberg needs and simply not state it to the media? Basically be the better man and ignore it. He has the World Championship and they have the Constructors. Is there any need to make comments like that.
No advantage in saying this after the championship. I'd understand before if they were still fighting. Not after.
Team has to make sure both drivers are happy. Next year Hamilton may have a rubbish/ unlucky year so they need bot drivers to perform as best as they can.
They're there to win Constructors. I don't think Lauda or Wolf would be too upset if neither Hamilton or Rosberg won Championship. As long as the team wins constructor's trophy that's what keeps them in their job.
They're there to win Constructors. I don't think Lauda or Wolf would be too upset if neither Hamilton or Rosberg won Championship. As long as the team wins constructor's trophy that's what keeps them in their job.
You've to take the whole interview in context and not just one line.
I'm still hoping for twin turbo screaming V6s or V8s in 2017. I'm sick of all the problems these power units have brought.
Don
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I'm curious, have you ever competed at serious/top level in sport?
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
I get that... Perhaps I didn't explain Brundle's point properly...
Did Rosberg push his own tyres to the limit, knowing he had pit priority and thus by the time Hamilton was given the chance to pit his tyres would be too used to initiate "hammer time".
The radio call to Rosberg (from his engineer) telling him his tyres had worn to 10% makes me think this is true, but it's pretty canny... I'd expect it from Alonso, but Rosberg is hardly known for his canny ways.
The 10% was on the tyres they had taken off, not the ones in the car.
After checking tires taken off at the first pit stop and having a pit stop in hand Mercedes decided to pit both cars to be on the safe side, why risk falling off the cliff.
It's as simple as that, ros didn't screw his tires or decided he needed a pitstop,
After checking tires taken off at the first pit stop and having a pit stop in hand Mercedes decided to pit both cars to be on the safe side, why risk falling off the cliff.
It's as simple as that, ros didn't screw his tires or decided he needed a pitstop,
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Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
Exactly! Run your own tires down to 10%, use your pit priority to change and be safe knowing that your team mate has 10% or less left... Hence, no chance to bang in some hot laps.
The second stop was just Merc having the gap to comfortably eat a pitstop.
Not my idea... Just re-iterating Brundle's thoughts which seemed plausible.
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
Yes, but the track temp was much higher than previous sessions, so the perfect lap was probably much sooner than lap 30. In effect; did Rosberg hang Hamilton out until he knew his tyres were finished?
I say no, he's not that clever but it was clear that Hamilton's tyres were shot to the point he should have pitted 3 or 4 laps before.
I say no, he's not that clever but it was clear that Hamilton's tyres were shot to the point he should have pitted 3 or 4 laps before.
No. As I said it doesn't work on multiple levels, under cut works, simulation saying what was best etc.
It also wasn't clear he should have pitted earlier. Especially as they where worried about making it to the end of the race with one pit stop.
Basically none of the theory makes sense.
It also wasn't clear he should have pitted earlier. Especially as they where worried about making it to the end of the race with one pit stop.
Basically none of the theory makes sense.