Abu Dhabi Grand Prix -- SPOILER ALERT!!!!

[whitenemesis]

He's allowed to be ill

Where was Nico?

 

[ChrisEdu]

Sad to read Sky will be the only live broadcaster of F1 from 2018

Does that mean C4 still have races next year?

 

[AMGeed]

Of course car makes all the difference, Vettel and Schumacher come to mind.. Long periods of dominance of one team isn't something new.

Don't forget Jenson's championship winning car either. Right place at the right time and the Brawn wiped the floor with the competition with that blown double diffuser.

 

[bob6600]

He's allowed to be ill

Where was Nico?

According to Toto...

Partying in Malaysia with their title sponsors and then was going off to Stuttgart to celebrate. Well that was the plan for the WDC so it could have been Nico doing the testing, unless he too got ill of course

 

[AMGeed]

Does that mean C4 still have races next year?

I believe so Chris. Unfortunately less than half covered live, but at least its free on terrestrial TV for one more season.

 

[grober]

Video - Formula 1 - Channel 4
Interestingly a slightly different attitude [ in public at least] between Toto and Nicky.
Really liked Ch 4's F1 coverage this year. Last prog had a slightly " end of term" feel about it , but over the year very satisfactory. DC doing his reconciliation bit on the podium too.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Does anyone seriously believe that there will be implications for Hamilton?

Hamilton is one of the most successful drivers of all time, let alone one of the best drivers on the grid. He's easily the most marketable of all drivers, and therefore good for MB and it's sponsors. He appeals to males and females, and crucially the younger demographic. He mixes with celebrity elite, and by proxy brings a bigger appeal. Above all else, he's a bit of a bad boy in a loveable rogue kind of way.

He's indispensable if Mercedes is to shake it's old man image. MB are loving it.

So are the FIA. Even the FIA know they're lucky to have Hamilton competing right now, he's probably had a bigger positive impact on ratings and image of the sport than Schumacher and Alonso added together.

 

[LTD]

The simple fact is that Nico Rosberg would have done exactly the same if the roles were reversed. They are racers and will do everything for the ultimate prize.

The most damning thing of the weekend were the instructions given to Hamilton to speed up. That possibly confirmed a policy to make Nico the champion. Verstappen was not going to threaten Rosberg at all.

Mercedes should simply come out and say "we now have two World Champions in our team. They aren't going to give up winning- even ugly"

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Verstappen was not going to threaten Rosberg at all.

Not sure about that Steve, even Nico said in post race interview that if Seb had passed him 'Crazy Max' was next!

Ant.

 

[LTD]

So the only realistic fear was Verstappen taking Rosberg out and handing the title to Hamilton ?

Rosberg could have fended off Verstappen for the remaining laps IMO

Makes the instruction to Hamilton even more damning

 

[Dryce]

So the only realistic fear was Verstappen taking Rosberg out and handing the title to Hamilton ?

Rosberg could have fended off Verstappen for the remaining laps IMO

Which is probably what MB thought.

Makes the instruction to Hamilton even more damning

On the contrary ...

I don't think they were bothered by MV - it was the risk that SV looked easily fast enough to get to the front if his tyres held out.

So NR still gets the WDC but MB lose the win.

So it's pragmatic rather than damning - they just saw the downside to the team with no upside to LH.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Not sure about that Steve, even Nico said in post race interview that if Seb had passed him 'Crazy Max' was next!

Ant.

So the only realistic fear was Verstappen taking Rosberg out and handing the title to Hamilton ?

Rosberg could have fended off Verstappen for the remaining laps IMO

Makes the instruction to Hamilton even more damning

I did not say that. I was making a joke in reference to Max's total lack of fear and 'do or die' moves in other races that Nico was hinting at.

 

[grober]

German GP dropped & Brazil in doubt??

Thought about a new thread but decided just to add this 2017 teaser here.
Formula 1 calendar 2017: German GP dropped & Brazil in doubt
Formula 1 calendar 2017: German GP dropped & Brazil in doubt - BBC Sport

 

[whitenemesis]

Hamilton the best driver 2016

Gossip: Hamilton, Mercedes, Rosberg, Verstappen, Sainz, Massa - BBC Sport

Nico Rosberg says Lewis Hamilton is 'one of the best ever F1 drivers' - BBC Sport

Lewis Hamilton did nothing wrong in Abu Dhabi decider - BBC Sport

Some interesting reading

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Well looks like rosberg has just answered my question...

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38185846

just cannot see how him and Rosberg will work out together next season, untenable situation:fail...

 

[bob6600]

Well looks like rosberg has just answered my question...

Nico Rosberg retires: World champion quits Formula 1 five days after title win - BBC Sport

It's all here

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/217416-nico-retires.html