Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg heads the Formula One drivers’ standings by 11 points ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, so it’d be harsh to say he’s been left wanting. But he has.
The German’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, lies second following successive victories at Malaysia and Bahrain. Rosberg came home second on both occasions to complement his triumph at Australia, where Hamilton was an early casualty.
Under the lights at Bahrain, Rosberg was unable to supplant the Briton despite several attempts, Hamilton anticipating each attack to perfection. The German’s racecraft was ultimately too opportunist for his own good, and he failed to read the long play as his teammate did.
The most notable instance saw Hamilton move aside for a rapidly gaining Rosberg into turn one. Knowing Rosberg had gone in too hot, the Briton deftly tucked inside on the exit and resumed his lead by the second turn.
The 2008 World Champion was euphoric post-race, while the significance of the outcome gradually dawned on Rosberg. A telling psychological blow had been landed. Hamilton 2 – Rosberg 1, or 2-0 to the former if Australia is excluded.
We arrive in Shanghai with the battle for top step on the podium certain to be the exclusive domain of the Silver Arrows, on a circuit where both have enjoyed past success.
Hamilton arguably denyied himself what would have been a sensational title in his debut season with a slide into the gravel entering pit lane in 2007. He ended those nightmares twelve months later en route to a belated championship, with another Shanghai victory coming in 2011.
For Rosberg, the venue holds cherished memories as the scene of his maiden victory in 2012 following well over 100 Grands Prix.
The circuit layout lends itself to the German’s style. If he can replicate his pole position effort at Bahrain and convert this into a lead at turn one – something he didn’t do last time – he’ll have gone a long way to the second victory of this campaign.
In the unlikely event that Mercedes aren’t at the front of the field, it is essential for the German to finish ahead of Hamilton if he is to reassert himself.
Should the outcome of the past two events repeat itself, Rosberg would maintain a slender four-point lead in the standings. It’s not a bad position to be in as the European season beckons, though Hamilton would feel nearly unstoppable is he recorded a hat-trick of victories for the first time in his career.
Lewis Hamilton calling the shots, genuinely enjoying racing and enjoying himself is an unknown quantity in recent seasons.
When this was the case in his formative years at McLaren, he garnered the reputation of best driver on the grid – something he hasn’t truly solidified following his title campaign by virtue of inferior machinery, which in turn led to diminishing motivation. His teammates came nowhere near him as a result.
Worryingly for Rosberg, the Briton looked as happy as he’s ever been after Malaysia and Bahrain. Unless the German can temper his good friend soon, Hamilton may be on a solo race to the championship title.
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