Nico Rosberg the Monk Who Sold His Mercedes

He said the pressure of competing with Hamilton was getting stronger and stronger. He said that each race and each win drained him psychologically and physically...

- Niji NG

SCENE 1: YAS MARINA CIRCUIT, ABU DHABI – NOVEMBER 26, SUNDAY

The final race of 2016 – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – was into its climax. Just seven laps were remaining. Lewis Hamilton was in front, followed by his teammate Nico Rosberg. At third position was Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel had changed to a new set of tyres and just overtaken Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. He was about charging on Verstappen. Around this time, Hamilton slowed down his vehicle and started blocking the path of Rosberg.

The situation of the title race made him do that. For winning the season’s title, Hamilton not only needs to win the race but also needs to ensure that Rosberg finishes outside the top 3. Rosberg had had a 12-point lead over Hamilton prior to the race. If Rosberg were to finish second or third, he would win the F1 title.

Hamilton’s tactic of slowing down led to unusually charged-up scenes. First, Rosberg requested the team management over team radio to ask Hamilton to let him pass. The team management did not pay heed to that request. Instead, they asked Hamilton to increase the speed. But Hamilton started to slow down further. Mercedes team director Paddy Love intervened over team radio: “Lewis, this is Paddy. We need you to pick up the pace to win this race”.

Hamilton quickly responded: “Paddy, I’m feeling quite comfortable right now”. He even found time to elaborate his strategy: “Right now I’m losing the world championship so I’m not really bothered if I’m goingto lose this race.”