The notion that Mercedes will conduct a forensic investigation into the latest clash between its roster of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton is fraught with danger.
The Formula One circus is preparing for a further three events in the month of July.
A luxury afforded to the Brackley outfit is that its competition is variable at each race weekend, thus the fallout from the final lap collision at Austria is mitigated – notwithstanding that one driver won the race while the other limped home in fourth, unlike the collateral damage witnessed seven weeks earlier at Spain.
It wouldn’t please those at Stuttgart that a timely one-two, a staple of previous campaigns, was nipped in the bud, though it must be conversely pleasing to witness the protagonists live with their actions yet remain in a commanding position.
A happy dilemma for Mercedes for the balance of this season is that one driver or another has been compromised to the extent that they’re unable to challenge their teammate, thus averting conflict while accruing solid points. This, complemented by Ferrari’s self-inflicted strategy blunders, has maintained a comfortable margin at the head of the standings.
Rosberg and Hamilton are clear that they must be on their best behaviour at Britain and three weeks later at Germany as the marque’s home events, lest each face chastening recriminations which transcends any psychological warfare inflicted on track.
The racecraft deployed by Rosberg on the run into turn two was akin to Hamilton’s at Austin turn one in 2015 which ultimately secured his third title, and while the German left insufficient space for the Briton to return to the circuit on Sunday, they’re the actions of an individual who has learned from the past and refuses to concede any quarter.
Hamilton will henceforth be aware that any move has the potential to eliminate both drivers, if not himself exclusively, just as he realised following their collision at Barcelona that Rosberg 2016 is a vastly different beast to the timid Rosberg of previous seasons.
For all of the posturing which has altered the dynamic within the team, it is incumbent on the German to prevail in a straight fight at some point this season, as he won’t be able to rely on actions concluding with consequences as minor as the one realised at Austria.
With the mid-season break looming, each driver has an opportunity to dictate the trajectory of their respective campaigns based on these flashpoints. Rosberg has capitalised each time that Hamilton has endured a setback, yet must harness the pressure of being the hunted.
From a team perspective, throwing caution to the wind and imposing team orders invites the erstwhile trigger happy opposition to pounce. The prevailing spontaneity to date has served Mercedes well, masking the reality that Ferrari and Red Bull have made considerable inroads, yet failed to execute for a host of reasons.
Until any opponent takes the fight to Mercedes, it’s open season at Brackley.
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The Spanish driver claimed he was forced off the track while trying to overtake into fourth spot and wanted the McLaren driver to give…
The Australian finished second but had to work for it, as he fought off food poisoning, a race day engine change, and his own overheating body.
Nico Hulkenberg's move to a German team will hopefully bring back some of the German flare Formula 1 had just seven years ago.
Given how exclusive and precious a commodity scoring an F1 point is, why is it that mediocrity should be rewarded?
Team Penske is under the same umbrella of ownership as the IndyCar Series itself, so it was imperative for to drop the hammer and protect their integrity—which, thankfully, they did.
Red Bull can’t rest on its laurels and if Perez can’t provide them with cover on the rare days that Verstappen is having trouble, it's time to look elsewhere.
