With the third round of the FIA World Drivers’ Championship approaching, fans and critics are still mulling over the aftermath of what proved to be an equally exciting and surprising race in Malaysia. It was exciting for the racing and strategy, and surprising for the fact that the Mercedes were beaten fair and square. After Melbourne, many feared that this year’s championship would be between both Mercedes, like last year, and the rest of the grid would be picking up the scraps. Malaysia has totally blown this theory out of the window, with Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari claiming the win. Vettel is only behind title leader, Lewis Hamilton, by three points, with Nico Rosberg a further seven points adrift. Even though only two have races gone, and there are still seventeen to go, the question has to be asked; is Rosberg already out of the title fight?
Rosberg seems to have lost the edge he had last year. There are three possible reasons for this. First is the hangover of 2014. After a hard fought out season, where he narrowly lost out to Hamilton, there was hope that he would come back recharged, battle-hardened, and able to use the experience of this to come back stronger this time out. The opposite has happened. He looks a shadow of the driver he was last year. Apart from the Friday of Melbourne, Rosberg hasn’t looked competitive enough to challenge Hamilton. Also, never once in any of the interviews this season has Rosberg looked like someone who believes that he can win the title. In the same way that Rosberg has lost his belief, Hamilton’s has grown and grown. He seems calmer than he ever has been. It seems the pressure of winning last year has evaporated any tensions he was harbouring, and his driving has arguably never been better.
Second is the restrictions on information race engineers can outlay to the drivers. It has not gone unnoticed that ever since this regulation came in middle of last year, that Rosberg started to struggle. This was highlighted in Malaysia with the communication between Rosberg and his engineer, and Nico’s lack of understanding as to what was going on around him and what he needed to do.
The third reason could be down to the length of his contract. Signed on a long term contract last year, Rosberg isn’t driving for his future in the team, whilst Hamilton is on the last year of his current contract. The questions as to Rosberg’s motivation are up for discussion. Can a driver who is on a long term contract, and knows his future is secure, have the same motivation as drivers who don’t have this job security? One example is Jenson Button. Last year, when it looked like McLaren weren’t going to keep him on, he started to produce some great drives.
With Ferrari and Vettel seemingly chasing and catching up Mercedes, Rosberg has further problems. Last year, Mercedes had clearly the best package on the grid, and could allow their pair to race without too much fear of losing out on wins and points. If the form of Malaysia continues, then it is clear that Mercedes will have challenges for race wins and points a lot more frequently. If this occurs then team tactics will come into play, and the equal statuses of the drivers will be discussed. If Mercedes had to nominate a driver for number one status, then, at the moment, it would clearly be Hamilton, as he is doing the better job in races and in the Championship.
Does it look like Rosberg is already out of the running? Not yet, as it is only two races in. However, the next two races are crucial. If Rosberg finds himself further adrift of Hamilton come the start of the European season, and Mercedes have challenges from Ferrari and other teams, then he will find himself going from title contender to supporting role.
