2014 Belgian Grand Prix

[JoestForEver]

Well Technically, Hamilton ruined the race, for himself, for Rosberg and the team. He was supposed to leave enough space at the end of Kemmel Straight. Rosberg was taking the normal overtaking procedure:back-side-outside-pass while Hamilton suddenly decided to turn in against him. It turns out this isn't Bahrain and Rosberg isn't going to be a coward again, which ends up as a sad story we know.

There are TWO racing lines at Les Combes, the move Hamilton took was unnecessary and rude. Even if Ros is out of Les Combes on the inside, Hamilton will retake the place and Bruxelles and edge Ros out, easy job. Why doing stupid moves while you can hold your lead?

[Knowlesy]

Ooh, contrary.

[Paradise City]

Jordan made an ass of himself with his syrupy theatrics. Booing isn't a big deal, part and parcel of the sporting pantomime.

I see the incident as a rush of blood from Rosberg - he has to catch Hambo early if he wants to beat him but overdid it. But there you go.

I like Rosberg and still do. He'll make fair champion. But I've no particular problem with the booing either.

[davyboy]

Fair play to Eddie Jordan for chastising the morons who paid money to make asses of themselves by booing the podium ceremony.

[Knowlesy]

Eddie was hilarious. "'E's not worth it guys!"

Nico says we should check the sporting code of conduct apparently. Although just the Brits. Sad to see xenophobia creeping into the sport.

[Paradise City]

I think people complaining about the booing need to grow up. It's booing, it's not picking up a hunting rifle and taking a potshot at the driver. People need to man up and take it on the chin.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

I think people complaining about the booing need to grow up. It's booing, it's not picking up a hunting rifle and taking a potshot at the driver. People need to man up and take it on the chin.

You could also say that about the booing fans. It's a motor race, things happen.

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

You could also say that about the booing fans. It's a motor race, things happen.

Not really. The fans are there to enjoy themselves and booing is a non-serious response. Harmless boisterousness that'll be forgotten 30 minutes later.

It was strictly undeserved - I think the commentators poisoned the atmosphere to overstate the dispute - but I've no problem with booing in principle.

[OZ_HCR32]

I understand it was probably Hamilton fans booing. If it was the wider audience I would be concerned.

I can see JoestForEver's point. Hamilton has been the tougher of the two racing with rather wider elbows with Rosberg always the one relinquishing space when Lewis puts him to the test. Last lap in Hungary was a case in point when Rosberg ended up on the grass.

Now Rosberg was right to expect some robust defence as it was the last lap but being put onto the grass...after various other races this year....well I can undertand Rosberg may have wanted to try and get his elbows out this weekend but chose the wrong time and place to start

[Knowlesy]

Rosberg has already had his elbows out this year, at Montreal. He can dish it out!

I don't think Hamilton was being robust though here. There was little else for him to do. Rosberg was clearly at fault, ridiculously so. What was he thinking? I do wonder if he would have done the same were it he trailing in the championship...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Not really. The fans are there to enjoy themselves and booing is a non-serious response. Harmless boisterousness that'll be forgotten 30 minutes later.

It was strictly undeserved - I think the commentators poisoned the atmosphere to overstate the dispute - but I've no problem with booing in principle.

Sure, the fans are there to enjoy themselves but those booing fans aren't the only fans at the race, so take it on the chin and let whoever is doing the post race interview get on with it, without interuption, so the other fans can enjoy it.

[wolfhound]

Magnussen has been given a 20 second penalty for his incident on the Kemmel straight with Alonso drops Magnussen to 12th.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115549

[Knowlesy]

Hamilton has told the written press that Rosberg admitted hitting him deliberately in the debrief to "prove a point."

This is all getting a bit unpleasant now.

[Aysedasi]

I find it hard to believe that Nico would do that, and in the face of such stern admonishment from the team, that he would admit it, even if he had. If he did, I'd take him out of the seat immediately.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Hamilton has told the written press that Rosberg admitted hitting him deliberately in the debrief to "prove a point."

This is all getting a bit unpleasant now.

The BBC are going with this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/28921431

[Knowlesy]

I assume Hamilton has interpreted what Nico has said that way, rather than Nico being so blunt to be honest. But there we go, it's out in the open now.

Not a good time to be Mercedes management!

[Aysedasi]

So remind me who the Merc reserve driver is....?

[Knowlesy]

Mercedes have confirmed what Hamilton has said is accurate as well, apparently.

Uhoh.

This is like a really fey, girlie version of Prost and Senna.

[Articus]

...hehe.

Just watched the DVR and that was errr interesting...Lewis is always in the middle of bad luck and controversy isn't he. I'm getting used to this now.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Mercedes have confirmed what Hamilton has said is accurate as well, apparently.

Uhoh.

This is like a really fey, girlie version of Prost and Senna.

I'd like to see, hear, some confirmation from Rosberg. At the moment this is pure hearsay on Hamilton's part.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Toto Wolff says that Rosberg faces consequences. My bet is that circumstances will cause Rosberg to start from the back of the grid for the remainder of the season...


...

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I find it hard to believe that Nico would do that, and in the face of such stern admonishment from the team, that he would admit it, even if he had. If he did, I'd take him out of the seat immediately.

Agreed. In fact if he did do it on purpose, then he'll probably be sanctioned [severely] by the FIA, never mind Merc's response. I have to say, it didn't look like he did it on purpose... and he certainly wouldn't have been able to puncture Lewis' tyre on purpose. It looked like a racing incident to me. Maybe Nico's said that to irritate Lewis, who knows.

[Clive]

I always thought if you went into the back of someone else it was your fault! The move wasn't on and he should have backed off. Had he kept behind for a another lap and stayed close he would then possibly have had the DRS advantage? Whatever, but by his actions he took his team mate out!

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Toto Wolff says that Rosberg faces consequences. My bet is that circumstances will cause Rosberg to start from the back of the grid for the remainder of the season...


...

Toto Wolff has appeared out of the Merc motorhome and made another statement about Nico here.

[Clive]

a very naughty boy indeed