Formula 1's Latest Rumours and Talk: Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and More
The Belgian Grand Prix was a golden opportunity for Nico Rosberg to regain the initiative in the 2016 Formula One title race.
With Lewis Hamilton, his Mercedes team-mate and main rival, forced to start from the back of the grid, the German had the chance to take back the championship lead he threw away after a strong start to the season.
Rosberg did all he could, recording a comfortable pole-to-flag win, but he could only take 10 points out of Hamilton, who recovered to third place and still has a nine-point lead with eight races remaining.
But the German insisted he was not upset to see Hamilton join him on the podium, congratulating his team-mate on a job well done.
Come the end of this season, Hamilton's surge from 21st place on the grid may well be remembered as a title-deciding performance.
And the three-time world champion expressed his delight with his result, explaining why his podium finish far exceeded the expectations of his team.
Hamilton's chances of a podium finish received a major boost at the first corner, where Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen—who could all have easily finished in the top three—drove into each other.
Verstappen later frustrated Raikkonen, pushing the 2007 world champion off the track at one stage. Both Ferrari drivers criticised the teenager's driving during the race.
Hamilton's progress was also helped by Kevin Magnussen, whose frightening crash at the top of Eau Rouge encouraged many others to make a pit stop shortly before a red-flag stoppage gifted Hamilton a "free" tyre change.
Magnussen was fortunate to limp away from the wreckage and has vowed to be fit for the forthcoming Italian GP.
Closing our post-Belgian GP roundup is Felipe Nasr, who appears to be on the verge of completing a move to Williams for 2017.
Nico Rosberg Not Disappointed to Only Gain 10 Points on Lewis Hamilton at Spa
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Rosberg is adamant he is not disappointed to have gained just 10 points on Hamilton at the Belgian GP despite his Mercedes team-mate's lowly starting position.
After suffering several reliability problems at the beginning of 2016, Hamilton was forced to start from the back of the grid at Spa for exceeding F1's engine component-usage regulations, offering Rosberg an opportunity to erode the Englishman's 19-point lead.
Rosberg enjoyed a comfortable pole-to-flag victory, but Hamilton limited the damage by recovering to finish in third place, meaning there are just nine points separating the championship rivals with eight rounds of the season remaining.
Despite being denied the chance to retake the championship lead he lost at July's Hungarian GP, Rosberg—who held a 43-point advantage over his team-mate at one stage—insisted he was not upset to discover Hamilton had made such a strong recovery.
He told the post-race FIA press conference: "It’s not disappointing, I’m happy with today. I’m happy to have won the race, it’s been a great weekend for me and that’s it. Fair play to Lewis, he did a good job."
When asked just how difficult it was for him to win the race when his team-mate started so far back, Rosberg admitted he was relatively comfortable at the front:
"Well, it wasn’t the toughest race ever, of course, because Lewis wasn’t there. That’s for sure. And the car was great in the race so of course everything still needs to come together and the start is critical and then with the red flag and everything it becomes a bit more complicated and messy. But I got ahead, I got a little bit of pressure from Daniel at the beginning of the second stint because he was on soft tyres but after that I really had good control of everything.
"
Rosberg also said Hamilton will "be back" at the front at the upcoming Italian GP at Monza, with the German expecting "a big battle as always."
Lewis Hamilton Feels Belgian GP Podium Is a 'Super Bonus'
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Hamilton admitted he was amazed to recover to third place in the Belgian GP, revealing his Mercedes team's simulations predicted he would finish no higher than eighth.
The three-time world champion incurred several grid-place penalties over the course of the Spa weekend, as Mercedes repeatedly changed his engines, meaning Hamilton started in 21st as Rosberg began from pole position.
After a tentative opening, during which he avoided the first-corner collision between Vettel, Raikkonen and Verstappen, Hamilton made good progress along with fellow engine-changer Fernando Alonso to recover to fifth within a matter of laps.
Hamilton overtook Alonso and Force India's Nico Hulkenberg shortly after the red-flag stoppage to finish third behind Rosberg and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.
The British driver revealed he was fearful of retiring from the race prior to the start, explaining his afternoon went far better than he could have expected.
Per Sky Sports' James Galloway, he stated:
"We prepared ourselves in a way that we hoped that we would get some points, but one of my guys took me up to the Paddock Club today [before the race] and I was like, 'I might not finish today.'
I was really of the mind that whatever happens, it is what it is, and then for the next race I've got the same amount of engines, if not more than others now, and I can fight in the last eight races.
So to come out with a clean race like I did, only lose 10 points and have three new engines, it's a super bonus.
The start I didn't go too hard in terms of attacking into Turn One. Then I saw Kimi so I avoided that, had a big lift [off the throttle] and was like, 'let those guys go.'
So I came out of Eau Rouge with a decent gap between me and those cars ahead because they all looked like they were going a bit crazy. So I tried to stay out of that.
Then I lost a place to Alonso trying to get around a Ferrari around a punctured tyre, but it wasn't clear to go to the right or left of it so, again, I wasn't risking anything. Then after it was just trying to recover and then I guess with the Virtual Safety Car and [actual] Safety Car people were stopping during those times. Then the red flag came out and I was up to fifth because people had stopped.
So it was perfect for me, I definitely wasn't expecting that. There have been races I've done where I've needed something like that and it's not happened and it's been a real tough fight from the back.
The team predicted eighth today, so very happy with it.
"
Having introduced three new power units during the Belgian GP weekend, the No. 44 car will almost certainly be able to complete the 2016 season without suffering further engine-related penalties.
Per the same source, Hamilton added he is hopeful of an even battle with Rosberg over the remaining eight races, explaining: "I think I now have more engines than most so now the fight is really on and hopefully for us it'll be a cleaner second half of the season and we can see some good fights."
Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen Criticise Max Verstappen's Belgian GP Display
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Vettel and Raikkonen criticised Verstappen for his conduct during the Belgian GP, with the latter arguing the teenager could have caused "a big accident."
The 18-year-old Verstappen became the youngest driver to start from the front row at Spa on Sunday but instantly lost second place with a poor opening.
The Red Bull driver attempted to reclaim the position at the first corner but collided with Raikkonen, who in turn made contact with Vettel, who spun to the rear of the field.
Raikkonen attempted to pass Verstappen later on, but the teenager pushed the 2007 world champion off track at Les Combes before suddenly changing direction when Raikkonen was lining up a move on the Kemmel Straight, forcing the Ferrari driver to lift off the throttle.
According to Motorsport.com's Pablo Elizalde, Vettel later blamed Verstappen for the Turn 1 incident, explaining that while he is an admirer of the Red Bull driver, some of his moves are "not correct." Raikkonen went a step further.
Per Motorsport.com's Valentin Khorounzhiy, the 2007 world champion said:
"I’m all up for fair battles and close racing.
But when I have to back off after Eau Rouge on the straight when I made my move—I had to brake not to hit him, because he turns after I make my move the first time—that, I think, is not correct.
We were fortunate there wasn’t a big accident because of that.
If I have to brake from full speed, I haven’t had that with any other driver.
If I hadn’t braked, I would have hit him at the rear at full throttle. Something is not correct, but it doesn’t seem to matter.
"
As reported by Motorsport.com's Charles Bradley, Verstappen dismissed Raikkonen's complaints as "ridiculous," arguing the notion that he defends his position too aggressively is nothing more than "a big lie."
Meanwhile, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff suggested Verstappen's manoeuvres are reminiscent of those employed by Hamilton and the late Ayrton Senna, widely regarded as the greatest driver in F1 history.
Per Motorsport.com's Jonathan Noble, Wolff explained he admires how Verstappen has arrived in F1 with "no fear [and] no respect" but acknowledged his aggression could hurt him at some stage.
"I just fear that it might end up in the wall heavily one day," he added. "For me it is refreshing but it is dangerous."
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Kevin Magnussen Confident of Being Fit for Italian GP After Spa Crash
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Magnussen has vowed he will be fit to race at the Italian GP at Monza following his horrific crash in the early stages of the Belgian GP.
The Renault driver was running inside the top 10 on Lap 6 at Spa when he lost control of his R.S.16 car at the fast Raidillon corner and smashed into the barrier on the exit, causing a red-flag stoppage.
Magnussen, whose headrest was dislodged in the incident, hobbled away from the wreckage but required a hospital visit for "precautionary checks" on a cut ankle, as reported by Motorsport.com's Noble.
The violence of the crash raised doubts over his participation in the Italian GP, but Magnussen said he will return to the cockpit as soon as the next race.
In a post on his official Twitter account, he wrote: "Thanks for all your messages folks! On my way home now with a sore ankle but will be ready for Monza."
Renault team principal Frederic Vasseur hinted Magnussen will be fit to race in Italy but suggested the team will wait before deciding on his participation, telling Noble: "He went to the medical centre and then the hospital in Verviers, they did an X-ray and global scan because of the impact but everything is OK. He looks OK and he looks convinced that he will be in Monza, but we have to wait until tomorrow if there will be any huge pain."
Vasseur, who also revealed Magnussen will require a new chassis, engine and gearbox after all three were destroyed in the incident, added he initially felt the crash was caused by "excess wheelspin" but hinted that the driver may have taken too much kerb on the exit of Eau Rouge.
Should Magnussen be ruled out of the Italian GP, it is unclear who would partner Jolyon Palmer for the Monza weekend after Renault reserve driver Esteban Ocon was loaned to Manor for the rest of 2016 ahead of the Belgian GP.
After Ocon's switch to Manor was announced, Renault's official Twitter account insisted the team would not name a replacement for the Frenchman, hinting one of their "lucky drivers already under contract will get the call if needed."
GP2 drivers Sergey Sirotkin, Nicholas Latifi and Oliver Rowland, who are all members of Renault's young-driver scheme, could all come under consideration, although the short-term signing of a driver with considerable F1 experience should not be ruled out.
Felipe Nasr Edging Closer to 2017 Williams Seat?
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Nasr is leading the race to replace Felipe Massa at Williams for 2017, it emerged over the Belgian GP weekend.
With Massa scoring just two points in the last seven races, Williams are increasingly likely to sign a new team-mate for Valtteri Bottas for next season, with a number of drivers in contention to succeed the former Ferrari driver.
Over the summer break, deputy team principal Claire Williams told the Press Association (h/t Motorsport.com's Noble) of her interest in signing 2009 world champion Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, with Nasr—who held a reserve role with the team in 2014—also in the frame.
Williams hinted the team had reached a decision after Friday's practice at Spa, telling Sky Sports' television coverage that while they are "still doing some work on it," they have a firm idea who will be driving their cars in 2017, confirming the team will have "an exciting lineup next year."
Nasr recently told Autosport (h/t Eurosport) he would be happy to remain with Sauber for a third season in 2017 but insisted he was keen to keep his options open.
And after Brazilian publication O Globo (h/t Sky Sports) reported Nasr was seeking help from the Brazilian government to secure a switch to Renault, it seems the 24-year-old is close to sealing a return to Williams.
On the rumours, Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz commented:
"[There's] some thought that Felipe Nasr is in the frame for a drive at Williams next year.
He's got a good relationship with the team—even though he did leave them, as a test driver, to go for the race drive at Sauber—but he still gets on well [with them]. They rate him very highly. He's obviously very quick, and he might go alongside Bottas.
It is increasingly looking like Felipe Massa is headed for retirement. ...
Claire knows who she wants, and Bottas is clearly still in the frame—although not confirmed at all—but maybe Nasr for the other drive.
[It] looks like it's not going to be a fairytale return for Jenson Button toward the end of his career.
"
Should Button, who is likely to be replaced by Stoffel Vandoorne at McLaren-Honda, be overlooked for a return to Williams—with whom he made his grand prix debut in 2000—it is possible the 36-year-old could retire from F1.
Over the Belgian GP weekend, Button suggested he is "almost there" in terms of making a decision on his future, per Sky Sports' Simeon Gholam, with Kravitz suggesting the 36-year-old is "going to try and be in control of his own future and announce where he wants to go next year" before he is pushed.
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