How long will Hamilton and Rosberg remain friends?

[Jocke1]

What was the first record you bought?
NR: Elton John’s Lion King soundtrack.

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews ... 15761.html

[Jocke1]

I managed to get a hold of the Mercedes post-qualifying drivers briefing transcript at a Russian website via Yahoo's search engine.
Present was also the Monaco FIA Stewards of the Meeting Paul Gutjahr, Jose Abed, Derek Warwick and Christian Calmes.
The link seems to be dead now / website down, but here it is;

Calmes
Nico, do you solemnly swear that
the testimony you will give in this
briefing will be the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth so help you Bernie?

Rosberg
Yes I do.

Calmes
Would you state your name and rank for the record please?

Rosberg
Nico Rosberg, Formula One race driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

Calmes
Thank you, Nico, would you have a
seat, please.

Warwick
Nico, when you learned of
Lewis being faster than you on his final lap, you
had a meltdown in the cockpit, is that right?

Nico
Yes.

Toto Wolff
Objection. I'd like to know just
what Derek Warwick is implying?

Warwick
I'm implying simply that, at present,
Nico Rosberg is thought of as having pulled a 'Schumi'.

Warwick
Nico, during Q3 your engineer gave
an order, is that right?

Rosberg
I told him that my time wasn't to be touched.

Warwick
And did you give an order to the corner marshall as well?

Rosberg
I ordered to have my car
transferred off the circuit immediately.

Warwick
Why?

Rosberg
I felt that my life might be in
danger once word of the lock-up got
out.

Warwick
Grave danger?

Rosberg
Is there another kind?

Warwick
We have the telemetry showing that you
and your engineer planned this since Melbourne.

Rosberg
Ok. No comment.

Warwick
Nico, you flew up to Nice
early this morning, is that right?

Rosberg
Yes.

Warwick
Did you meet with anyone?

Rosberg
Yes, Pedro Diniz.

Warwick
Did you wear Mercedes apparell on the
plane?

Rosberg
I wore fatigues on the plane.

Warwick
And you brought your race suit
with you.

Rosberg
Yes.

Warwick
And a toothbrush? A shaving kit?
Change of underwear?

Niki Lauda
What is this?

Rosberg
I brought a change of clothes and
some personal items.

Warwick
Thank you.

Warwick
This is a record of all telephone
calls made from your motorhome in the
past 24 hours. After FP1, you made three calls.

I've highlighted those calls in
yellow. Do you recognize those
numbers?

Rosberg
I called Gaston Mazzacane in
La Plata, Argentina. I wanted to let him
know I'd be in town later on. The second call
was to set up a meeting with
Pedro Lamy, and the third
call was to my uncle Chet.

Warwick
Why did you make that call, Nico?

Rosberg
I thought he might like to have
dinner tonight.

Paddy Lowe
It's obvious
that Derek's intention this
afternoon is to smear a high ranking
driver in the desperate hope
that the mere appearance of
impropriety will win him points with
the FIA. It's my recommendation,
sirs, that Derek Warwick receive an
official reprimand
and that Nico be excused with
the FIA's deepest apologies.

Warwick
Is this funny, Nico?

Rosberg
No. It's not. It's tragic.

Warwick
Do you have an answer?

Rosberg
Absolutely. My answer is I don't
have the first damn clue.
Now are these really
the questions I was called here to
answer? Phone calls and footlockers?
Please tell me you've got something
more, Steward. Please tell me
there's an ace up your sleeve. Do you have any other questions for
me, Steward?

Rosberg
I'd appreciate it if he addressed me
as Driver or Monaco Winner. I believe I've
earned it.

I don't know what the hell kind of
an outfit you're running here.

Toto Wolff
Warwick will address Nico as Monaco Winner.
I'm quite certain he's earned it.

Rosberg
What would you like to discuss now!
My favorite color?

Warwick
Driver, the lock-up, was
it the first one this weekend?

Rosberg
Yes.

Warwick
There wasn't a lock-up in FP2?

Niki Lauda
Steward, I think we've covered
this, haven't we?

Paddy Lowe

Steward, these are the telemetries for both Jules Bianchi
and Pastor Maldonado. The
official team logs lists no lock-ups.

Toto Wolff
I don't understand. You're admitting
evidence of a lock-up that never
existed?

Warwick
We believe it did, sir.

Warwick
Driver a moment ago you said that
no lock-ups happened.

Rosberg
That's right.

Warwick

And your engineer was clear on what you
wanted?

Rosberg
Crystal.

Warwick
Any chance your engineer ignored the order?

Rosberg
Ignored the order?

Warwick
Any chance he just forgot about it?

Rosberg
No.

Warwick
Any chance your engineer left your motorhome
and said, "The WDC's son's wrong"?

Rosberg
No.

Warwick
When your engineer spoke to the track marshalls
and ordered them not to touch
your chassis, any chance they ignored
him?

Rosberg
Have you ever spent time in a GP2 car, Warwick?

Warwick
No sir.

Rosberg
Ever served in a hospitality area?

Warwick
No sir.

Rosberg
Ever put your life in another drivers
hands, ask him to put his life in
yours?

Warwick
No sir. But I did race many..

Rosberg

We follow orders, old man. We follow
orders or drivers die. It's that
simple. Are we clear?

Warwick
Yes sir.

Rosberg
Are we clear?

Warwick
Crystal.

Warwick
Driver, I have just one more question
before I call Lewis Hamilton. Oh he's not coming? Oh well, Driver If you gave an order
that your chassis wasn't to be touched,
and your orders are always followed,
then why would your chassis be in danger, why
would it be necessary to reverse it on the circuit?

Rosberg
My engineer is a sub-standard
employee.

Warwick
You said he always follows your orders.

Rosberg
Yes. That's correct, but..

Warwick
You said, "My chassis was in danger". I said,
"Grave danger". You said --

Rosberg
Yes, I recall what..

Warwick
I can have the Hearing Reporter read
back your --

Rosberg
I know what I said. I don't need it
read back to me like I'm a damn --

Warwick
Then why the lock-up?
Driver?
Why did you --

Rosberg
Sometimes drivers take matters into their
own hands.

Warwick
No sir. You made it clear just a
moment ago that you guys never take
matters into your own hands. You
drivers follow orders or people die. So
your chassis shouldn't have been in any
danger at all, should it,
Driver?

Rosberg
You little bastard.

Calmes
I have to ask for a recess to --

Warwick
I'd like an answer to the question,
Christian.

Warwick
If your engineer told the track marshalls that your chassis
wasn't to be touched, then why did
you have to put it in reverse?

Warwick
Driver?

Warwick
You caused the yellow flag, didn't
you? Because that's what you told
your engineer you would do.

Warwick
And when it went bad, you cut your
guys loose.

Calmes
Derek...

Warwick
You had Paddy Lowe sign a phony
statement to the FIA..

Calmes
Derek, for the love of...

Warwick
You doctored the log books and telemetry.

Calmes
Damn it, Derek!!

Warwick
I'll ask for the fourth time. You
ordered --

Rosberg
You want answers?

Warwick
I think I'm entitled to them.

Rosberg
You want answers?!

Warwick
I want the truth !!!!!!!

Rosberg
You can't handle the truth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosberg
Derek, we're at a circuit that has
walls. And those walls have to be
guarded by men with flags. Who's gonna
do it? You? You, Jose Abed? I
have a greater responsibility than
you can possibly fathom. You weep
for Hamilton and Vettel's ruined laps and you curse my mistake.
You have that luxury. You
have the luxury of not knowing what
I know. That my lock-up, while
tragic, probably saved lives. And my
existence, while grotesque and
incomprehensible to you, saves lives.

You don't want the truth. Because
deep down, in places you don't talk
about at parties, you want me in that car. You need me in that car.
We use words like overtaking, slipstream,
pole positions... we use these words as the
backbone to a life spent defending
something. You use 'em as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the
inclination to explain myself to a
man who rises and sleeps with the pathetic F1 record of 146 Grands Prix and no wins,
then questions the manner in which I
race. I'd prefer you just said
thank you and went on your way.
Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a
drive and sit in a cockpit again. Either way,
I don't give a damn what you think
you're entitled to.

Warwick
Did you cause the yellow flag?

Rosberg
I did the job my team sent me to do.

Warwick
Did you cause the yellow flag?

Rosberg

You're goddamn right I did !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosberg
What the hell's going on?
Toto, what the hell's going on? I
did my job. I'd do it again. Now I'm
getting into my motorhome and going back to
my base.

Paul Gutjahr
Guard the driver.

Calmes
Guard the driver.

Rosberg
What the hell --

Calmes
Nico Rosberg, you have the right
to remain silent. Any statement you
do make can be used against you in a
trial by the FIA or other
judicial or administrative proceeding.
You have the right...

Rosberg
I'm being charged with a crime? I'm..
that's what this is ?

I'm being charged with a crime? I'm --
that's what's happening? This -- I'm --
this is funny, you know that, this
is --

Rosberg
I'm gonna tear your eyes right outta
your head and piss in your dead skull !!!!!!!!!!
You fu€ked with the wrong driver !!!

Rosberg
You fu€kin' people.
You have no idea how to defend a
position.
All you did was weaken a team
today, Warwick. That's all you did.
You put people in danger. Sweet
dreams, has-been.

Warwick
Don't call me has-been.
I'm a Race Steward of the
FIA. And you're under
arrest you sonofabitch.

Warwick
The driver is excused.

[Klon]

If only I could remember the F1Fanatic article where I made the A Few Good Men parody in regards to Briatore and Singapore 2008.

[LeytonHouse]

So Jocke1 was right, the answer to the thread's question is... Monaco 2014.

To quote Lewis after the race, "We're not friends".

[Enforcer]

To quote Lewis after the race, "We're not friends".

He's going to sulk himself into losing the WDC at this rate.

[SgtPepper]

To quote Lewis after the race, "We're not friends".

He's going to sulk himself into losing the WDC at this rate.

A very cringe-inducing moment. Rosberg actually appeared relatively conciliatory, which judging by his great sportsmanship having come second in the last few races we can't chalk up to having won today.

Respect to Jocke1 for calling it accurately, I honestly thought the relationship would remain pretty solid throughout the season.

[Ferrim]

I'm starting to switch loyalties to Rosberg's side, even though if he takes it I will rue forever not to have bet on him for WDC, back when he was paid 20-1.

[James1978]

So was Hamilton turning the engine up in Spain the equivalent of Senna passing Prost at the restart at Imola 1989?

[Alextrax52]

I'm starting to switch loyalties to Rosberg's side, even though if he takes it I will rue forever not to have bet on him for WDC, back when he was paid 20-1.

Me too. Hamilton's attitude just makes it near impossible to like him

[LellaLombardi]

Well Hamilton was never that high in my estimation to start with, but the way he has behaved, compared to Rosberg being very magnanimous, has made it clear to me who I want to support.

He's not going to have it all his way at Mercedes, and the sooner he accepts that, the better.

[mario]

So was Hamilton turning the engine up in Spain the equivalent of Senna passing Prost at the restart at Imola 1989?

I would say that it was more like Mansell maxing out the boost and disabling the rev limiter on his engine during the 1987 British GP when chasing down Piquet - a high risk move that wasn't looked upon favourably in some quarters (there are some rumours that Honda was not entirely happy with Mansell's conduct in that race).

However, Autosport are now indicating that Rosberg is equally guilty of abusing his engine settings - it appears that he also turned his engine up higher than he was supposed to in Bahrain during his attempts to pass Hamilton, which would appear to explain why he was so fast on the main straight in the closing laps of that race. If so, it suggests that perhaps Hamilton was motivated by the fact that Rosberg had done the same thing to him in the previous race and seemed to get away with it, such that he might as well do the same thing himself.

Because of that, Toto Wolff is now stepping in to discipline his drivers by announcing that they will put measures in place to ensure that this doesn't happen again. However, I wouldn't be surprised if, sooner or later, we have a similar incident between the two drivers - given how competitive they are, one of them will surely be tempted to go for it even when they shouldn't.

[girry]

Both Mercedes drivers have been behaving way more childishly than I would have expected them to behave.

I can just imagine the volume of ants in Toto Wolff's pants right now...

[LellaLombardi]

I suspect that in terms of foul play and mind games, they are as bad as each other. Rosberg is better at containing his emotions though and presenting a cheerful side to the press. If it comes down to a battle of wits then my money's on Rosberg. He will know how to push Hamilton's buttons.

[Collieafc]

The whole Merc affiar is starting to feel like Ferrari 1990 with Prost and Mansell...

[shinji]

Certainly we're seeing clear evidence yet again as to why it's sensible for a dominant team to anoint a lead driver.

[eagleash]

I think it was at Barcelona where Nico's body language & demeanour on the podium was briefly reminiscent of Gilles at Imola '82. Gloves came off thenabouts I reckon. & if Nico, for all his perceived "gentle" personality, has inherited even half his Dad's mettle, it should be an interesting battle.

[dr-baker]

Because of that, Toto Wolff is now stepping in to discipline his drivers by announcing that they will put measures in place to ensure that this doesn't happen again. However, I wouldn't be surprised if, sooner or later, we have a similar incident between the two drivers - given how competitive they are, one of them will surely be tempted to go for it even when they shouldn't.

I would be interested to know what kind of measures that Toto Wolff could put into place that would ensure that it indeed would not happen again. Perhaps threaten to put his wife into one of the cars? It may ensure that the other driver would win, rival drivers would catch up with the suspended driver AND Mercedes would get extra publicity for a race or two (not that they need it, mind you)...

[SgtPepper]

As far as I can tell, all the aggression and conflict appears to be originating from Hamilton, but when you really consider the the circumstances it was pretty inevitable;

- High pressure environment
- Idolisation of Senna (which I reckon made this happening in Monaco considerably worse than it would on other tracks)
- Perpetual Prost/Senna comparisons by the media
- Inferior intellect to Rosberg

Every race Rosberg has come second in he handled with what I felt was considerable class and sportsmanship (working on the presumption his accident in Monaco quali wasn't deliberate), whereas the majority of Hamilton's interviews have basically been him constantly lauding himself and his own pace. Hamilton cut across Rosberg quite harshly in Bahrain, and is perpetually on the radio in some form or another. If anything, Rosberg appeared quite saddened by the whole situation. The only mind game I can see Rosberg having played is a refusal to play mind games of any sort, as rising above people who attempt that sort of thing is usually the thing that pushes them most of all, as by default you both elevate yourself above the conflict, but also the person attempting to initiate it.

Either way, if this is to be nipped in the bud it will have to be before the next race, but I'm not entirely sure how it can be.

[LellaLombardi]

The idolisation of Senna is not doing him any favours at all unfortunately. For starters, Senna's heyday was nearly 25 years ago now and the world has moved on greatly since then. Secondly, Ayrton had plenty of undesirable characteristics and lastly, trying to be anything other than yourself is foolish (although in Hamilton's case, being himself isn't so great either...)

[Alextrax52]

The idolisation of Senna is not doing him any favours at all unfortunately. For starters, Senna's heyday was nearly 25 years ago now and the world has moved on greatly since then. Secondly, Ayrton had plenty of undesirable characteristics and lastly, trying to be anything other than yourself is foolish (although in Hamilton's case, being himself isn't so great either...)

That last part is true. For all the flak Vettel receives have you ever heard him compare himself to Michael Schumacher at all?

[CoopsII]

The whole Merc affiar is starting to feel like Ferrari 1990 with Prost and Mansell...

It isnt though is it? Not really. Its not Prost/Mansell or Prost/Senna, its all a media invention. Other than the title being at stake its barely Villeneuve/Frentzen.

[DanielPT]

The whole Merc affiar is starting to feel like Ferrari 1990 with Prost and Mansell...

It isnt though is it? Not really. Its not Prost/Mansell or Prost/Senna, its all a media invention. Other than the title being at stake its barely Villeneuve/Frentzen.

I say it is more like Hamilton/Rosberg: The first media driven feud.

[Ataxia]

The whole debacle is just pissing me off. It's stupid and petty; it's a shame that those two adjectives applied to a story sell papers.

The result on a Sunday afternoon is what matters. That's it. The "who's friends with who and who's enemies with who" appeals only to those with a subscription to Heat magazine; it doesn't have a place in motorsport. Just do your jobs, for crying out loud.

As a side note, if Lewis Hamilton would really like to know what not fighting for the win is like, he should knock on Marcus Ericsson's garage door and try swapping cars.

[LukeB]

Comparing any and every team mate squabble to Prost/Senna is the F1 equivalent of sticking -Gate on the end of any and every scandal.

[CoopsII]

And thus Comparing-any-and-every-team-mate-squabble-to Prost/Senna-gate was born....

[LeytonHouse]

I agree with a lot of these posts, Hamilton’s attitude is the problem. He wins 4 races in a row and all is relatively peaceful. Nico is not thrilled finishing 2nd all the time but takes his losses with dignity and respect. Monaco comes round and Rosberg finally takes one back. Cue Lewis behaving like a child who can’t take losing.

I was quite sympathetic towards Hamilton after qual and I could understand his disappointment, even if I didn't believe his teammate caused the yellows on purpose. But his attitude after the race was just appalling and really cringe-worthy. He couldn't even look at Nico let alone shake his hand, great sportsmanship Lewis . He really needs to get over himself; his sense of entitlement is starting to make me hope he doesn't win the championship. Go Nico.

[johnston21]

I managed to get a hold of the Mercedes post-qualifying drivers briefing transcript at a Russian website via Yahoo's search engine.

Wow! Thanks for sharing. Sure would like to read Hamilton's de-brief...

[Row Man Gross-Gene]

And thus Comparing-any-and-every-team-mate-squabble-to Prost/Senna-gate was born....

Now this is pure genius. Good show.

[johnston21]

Looks like Warwick is having troubles stepping-back from his 5 minutes of fame from this past weekend as a steward.

His comments do support the Quali de-brief chatter above.

http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorspor ... 60449.html

[CoopsII]

Looks like Warwick is having troubles stepping-back from his 5 minutes of fame from this past weekend as a steward.

I think he's absolutely right though, Hamilton does need to man-up. He's beginning to sound like some sort of <gag> footballer or something

[mario]

Looks like Warwick is having troubles stepping-back from his 5 minutes of fame from this past weekend as a steward.

I think he's absolutely right though, Hamilton does need to man-up. He's beginning to sound like some sort of <gag> footballer or something

It is one thing to think that though, and quite another to say such a thing when you are effectively a representative of the FIA - whilst Hamilton has been a bit critical, Warwick's remarks do come across as a little unprofessional.

There is the odd situation that, although Rosberg was not given a penalty for his actions, there still seem to be a number of figures in the press who are of the opinion that Rosberg's actions were deliberate. Mark Hughes, for example, seems to indicate that he thinks Rosberg did it deliberately - not only that, he has made further comments suggesting that either Wolff or Lauda themselves have, in private, suggested that Rosberg did it deliberately. Similarly, it seems that Jonathan Noble has been casting doubt on Nico's innocence by suggesting that, when talking to members of the paddock in private, that other drivers and teams feel that Nico did it deliberately, whilst the photographer Darren heath has made it clear that he thinks that Rosberg did it deliberately.

Of course, other teams might have a vested interest in promoting rumours that Nico did deliberately run off track - given the strength of Mercedes, it is in their interests to promote rumours that are likely to continue driving a wedge between the two drivers and between the drivers and the team in case it makes the team implode into bitter infighting, giving them a chance to catch up.
It is also going to create in interesting dynamic between the press and both drivers - with Hamilton, it seems that the continued efforts of the press to goad, entrap and push Hamilton into increasingly aggressive statements for the media to then sell are making him increasingly aggressive and temperamental. As for Nico, the Monaco weekend seems to have, in turn, turned certain sections of the press against him - much as Vettel had the issue of how to respond to an increasingly hostile press. Irrespective of whether or not his actions were deliberate, being faced with people who seem convinced of your guilt on such a regular basis and will inevitably aim to stir things up between himself and Hamilton is going to make things uncomfortable for him.

[Ataxia]

They've kissed and made up now.

[Jocke1]

They've kissed and made up now.

Friends...not friends...friends...no wait! not friends.....still not friends...friends...
not...yes...no, not anymore...back as friends...definitely not friends....always friends....childhood friends...
yacht envy.....never were friends.....friends again!

[dr-baker]

They've kissed and made up now.

Friends...not friends...friends...no wait! not friends.....still not friends...friends...
not...yes...no, not anymore...back as friends...definitely not friends....always friends....childhood friends...
yacht envy.....never were friends.....friends again!

Just like Lewis and Nicole... Hmmm.

[Londoner]

BUMP

Oh God, here we go again. It's like Hamilton hasn't got the ability to use his brain before opening his mouth.

[noiceinmydrink]

It's like Hamilton hasn't got the ability to use his brain before opening his mouth.

That's not really fair, he'd kinda need a brain in the first place to be able to use it.

[watka]

BUMP

Oh God, here we go again. It's like Hamilton hasn't got the ability to use his brain before opening his mouth.

By that logic, let's all start referring to Hamilton as Grenadian.

[CoopsII]

BUMP

Oh God, here we go again. It's like Hamilton hasn't got the ability to use his brain before opening his mouth.

To be fair, IF Rosberg was forever banging on about how German he is, his love for the Fatherland or how great it is to be German, then Hamilton would have a point but I don't recall Rosberg ever doing that.

[razta]

BUMP

Oh God, here we go again. It's like Hamilton hasn't got the ability to use his brain before opening his mouth.

To be fair, IF Rosberg was forever banging on about how German he is, his love for the Fatherland or how great it is to be German, then Hamilton would have a point but I don't recall Rosberg ever doing that.

True

[razta]

Rosberg responds..
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/new ... 17t-german