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And what if Rosberg doesn't claim title?

Nico Rosberg is now world champion. Who will replace him at Mercedes? (Photo: GEPA pictures/ Christian Walgram)
Roar Guru
23rd November, 2016
18

This isn’t another Nico Rosberg versus Lewis Hamilton title decider permutation article, for that has been covered sufficiently by others.

The bottom line is that the German can place anywhere on the podium at Abu Dhabi and he will become World Champion. Conversely, it’s appropriate to discuss the unlikely event of Rosberg snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Rosberg is on a hiding to nothing irrespective of the outcome, with nine victories – and the distinct possibility of a tenth this weekend, ostensibly insufficient in the eyes of many to legitimise a maiden title.

Apparently, no matter how much winning the German has accomplished, it’s entirely moot since his teammate has endured some bad luck this season, rendering the successes ‘artificial.’

The notion that Hamilton would have been absolutely victorious at all events where setbacks were endured at some point throughout the weekend, is a maddening one which smacks of incredulity.

His supporters can’t fathom the prospect that Rosberg has always been on hand to pick up the pieces, as though unfairly so. It remains that the Briton has failed to finish on just two occasions, including the calamitous Spanish Grand Prix where his teammate was collateral damage, despite the supposed gross misfortunes which have blighted his charge.

And yet, Hamilton boasts sixteen podiums to Rosberg’s fifteen.

Rosberg’s second placing at each of the past three events has only infuriated Hamilton fans further, as though doing exactly as required. In necessarily precarious situations such as Brazil, where many had dismissed his prospects – a wet weather ‘pretender’ seemingly on the basis of his poor outings at Monaco and Britain.

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He still gleaned a podium, which for Hamilton supporters is tantamount to mocking the status of champion.

Jenson Button didn’t claim victory following the sixth round of his 2009 title campaign, indeed the Briton extracted just two further podiums across the balance of the season, yet nobody begrudged his worthiness.

Notwithstanding the fairytale circumstances surrounding his success, Button’s efforts in the closing stages, presiding over his constantly diminishing points’ surplus, were commensurate to Rosberg’s in recent times.

Nico Rosberg F1 Formula One Australian Grand Prix 2016

For all of the aforementioned, the job still needs to be done on Sunday evening. It’s undeniable that a Rosberg triumph will elicit polarising views. There will be the deniers. An analogy could be drawn from the recent United States presidential outcome, with Donald Trump’s unforeseen rise giving way to a sense of, “oh well, life moves on.”

If and when Rosberg is anointed, perhaps he will instantly earn the respect of critics, the tangible sight of the 31-year-old realising what his father did before him causing those to accept the reality.

Should hardship befall Rosberg at the final hurdle, many will consider this as redressing the reliability imbalance – the same one which existed in Hamilton’s favour across the preceding two seasons, and argue that the right man, if the latter amasses enough points, became champion.

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Equally, the line would be blurred whether the German was robbed if he is unwittingly eliminated and denied the championship he has led for the greater portion.

Will we look upon the German as damaged goods if he can’t conclude the deal for any reason? It might represent his greatest opportunity to defy the critics, for nobody can be certain who will emerge with the most competitive package amid the regulation upheaval. He entered this season with many question marks surrounding his credentials, thus surely whatever occurs on Sunday won’t erase what remains a most compelling campaign, one where Rosberg has made his own luck.

The history books for each season lists one driver as champion, if Rosberg’s number is up, nobody is going to look upon his name in years to come and ask, how so?

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