Singapore - If Mercedes-Benz driver Nico Rosberg is not being accused of driving recklessly, he’s being accused of match-fixing – in the form of purposely making a mistake and letting his team-mate Lewis Hamilton through at Monza two Sundays ago, to make up for taking Hamilton out in Belgium at the previous meeting.
Watching Rosberg and third-placed Williams driver Felipe Massa chatting to each other in Italian after the Monza GP, in the process keeping Hamilton out of the discussion, was telling, while the lack of back-slaps between the Mercedes drivers spoke of the tension between them.
Come Sunday and we’re in for a Singapore Slinger under floodlights for the 14th round of the championship, with Rosberg this week mentioning that he’s not fazed by Hamilton’s previous experience with F1 title fights – but admits it may give his team-mate a slight edge. It’s worth remembering that this is the first season in Rosberg’s career as a title contender – leading the championship by 22 points with six races to go – whereas Hamilton ran a victorious campaign in 2008.
Hamilton, in the meanwhile, claims Rosberg’s mistake in Italy proves he can’t handle the pressure of leading this year’s championship.
Rosberg ran wide at the first chicane on lap 29 with Hamilton chasing him down for the lead. The Brit has had three retirements this season, and going into Singapore is hoping that his car is mechanically sound.
Current World Champion and Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who’s probably feeling like he’s had his wings clipped, has been playing second fiddle to his rather-convincing team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian has won three races this season and finishing fifth (one position in front of Vettel) at Monza. But Red Bull boss Christian Horner reckons Vettel – who won in Singapore in 2013 – has reached a turning point, with his car getting a different chassis for a third consecutive race.
Also interesting will be the effect of the FIA’s plans to limit team radio during races – meaning messages relating to “the performance of the car or driver” are, as of this weekend, not allowed. Communications about safety, pit stops and race strategy are fine; but messages dealing with the car’s settings, fuel consumption or state of tyres are not.
Singapore’s floodlit Marina Bay street circuit has the most corners of any track on the calendar, and the low-track temperature night race has Pirelli’s two softest tyres in the range on duty. - Star Motoring
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