Four things we learned at the Japanese GP: Lewis Hamilton finally proves he's top dog at Mercedes

Updated 29/09/2015 at 08:27 GMT+1

If there was any doubt at all as to who is top dog at Mercedes Lewis Hamilton extinguished it on Sunday with a defiant move on Nico Rosberg, says Will Gray, while some big F1 futures have been left in the balance.

Lewis Hamilton with his dog, Roscoe (Via Instagram)

Image credit: Eurosport

HAMILTON HAMMERING

Is that it for Nico Rosberg?

Although it has since emerged that Rosberg was down on power at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix, the simple fact is that once again he lost out to Hamilton in wheel-to-wheel combat.

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Try as he might - and he did mighty well in Japan by claiming his first pole position since May - the German was hung out to dry in turn two and, with his championship campaign now so demolished, quite honestly, he might as well not turn up to the remaining races.

But let’s keep this in context.

Hamilton got alongside Rosberg into turn one. He had the inside line and pushed him wide – fairly, it was adjudged – into turn two and that was that. It was, many said, another demonstration of Hamilton being a better racer. More commitment. Desire. Determination. No backing off.

But in truth, it was none of that. It was simply Hamilton was in the better position to make an advantage count.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Suzuka

Image credit: Imago

On the inside of turn two, it was Hamilton’s corner to lose. He could have backed off and given Rosberg a little more room. But why do that? He gave enough space and Rosberg still made it around, albeit with the help of the Astroturf beside the racetrack.

“I was running out of grip. I imagine Nico was running out of road, but that’s what happens when you’re on the outside,” said Hamilton, simply.

So, if the pair were in the opposite position, would Rosberg have done the same?

Of course he would. And the same would have probably happened to Hamilton. Fall back; recover; finish second.

Japan, in fact, showed that Rosberg can still deliver, making the most of the superiority of the Mercedes to recover to second. Overhauling Hamilton, who in the final 14 laps averaged over half a second faster, proved too much. But such is the benefit of being in control at the front, that it would have been the same the other way around.

So sure, write off Rosberg’s championship chances this year. But don’t write off his career just yet.

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COULD RED BULL PULL OUT?

So, is Niki Lauda just stirring the s*** or is the future of Red Bull and Toro Rosso in F1 really under question?

The answer is probably a bit of both.

Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat of Russia drives his car during the first practice session of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit on September 25, 2015

Image credit: AFP

Red Bull is set to split with Renault for next year and in doing so will lose crucial Infiniti sponsorship money. With Mercedes refusing to supply engines and Ferrari only offering year-old power units, the team’s chances of being competitive in 2016 are virtually nil.

And since marketing – in the form of column inches and TV airtime - is Red Bull's only reason to be in F1, there are serious questions to be asked.

Team boss Dietrich Mateschitz has often talked of dissatisfaction with the way the sport is headed and Mercedes boss Niki Lauda claimed his fellow Austrian is “not the leader he was in the past”, suggesting that his interest has waned.

In last Friday’s press conference, team boss Christian Horner even admitted that despite his best efforts to find a competitive engine “there is a risk” of Red Bull quitting if he fails.

Even lead driver Daniel Ricciardo has sought assurances about the future. Whether he was convinced is another question. And now Mateschitz’s advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed a “big meeting” will be held this week to discuss it all.

But is this just Red Bull playing political games? And will Bernie Ecclestone eventually step in and solve the problem?

It’s not quite as simple as cutting and running.

Bernie Ecclestone may have to get involved to rescue Red Bull

Image credit: Imago

In 2012, Red Bull, along with several other top teams, signed up to F1 until 2020. In return, they have been receiving payments of $75m per year ever since.

Walking away now would almost certainly require a hefty payback to F1’s Management of at least $350m. But with the team’s annual budget reportedly running at around $470m, it could be a penalty worth paying.

The clock is ticking, and, with the potential of losing two of the sport’s 10 teams, Ecclestone will need to play a blinder with his negotiation skills to get out of this one.

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GROSJEAN GAMBLE

After four years with Lotus, Romain Grosjean is on the move – and it is a make or break gamble for his career.

The Frenchman is set to be announced as the new team HAAS’ lead driver and although preferring to ditch a potential top role with what will be a new works Renault team in favour of a newcomer seems odd, it’s the chance to secure a seat with Ferrari that has lured him away.

HAAS has spent the last year developing their car with the help of Ferrari (or, if some claims are to be believed, helping Ferrari improve the performance of this year’s car by working on similar parts as part of their car development).

Romain Grosjean (Lotus) - GP of Belgium 2015

Image credit: Lotus F1 Team

Either way, their close relationship is clear.

The American team is, arguably, a second string Ferrari – the car giant sensibly taking the chance to support an outfit from key sales market - and that could make them a serious midfield runner from the off.

But more importantly, it could make them the proving ground for future Ferrari drivers – and by moving there, Grosjean could be one.

Ferrari will need to fill Raikkonen’s shoes in 2017 – because, let’s be honest, he won’t beat Vettel and he won’t want to patiently continue trying for more than another year.

The only problem for Grosjean now, however, is that Ferrari reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez is likely to be in the seat alongside him. So next year could be a shoot-out between them.

But this was do or die for Grosjean. And given his undeniable talent, it could just prove to be a gamble worth taking.

- - -

ALL CHANGE AT McLAREN?

McLaren-Honda drivers Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) and Britain's Jenson Button (R) pose during a photo session after their press conference at the Honda Motor's headquarters in Tokyo on February 10, 2015

Image credit: AFP

Japan came and went and, on home ground, Honda’s nightmare with McLaren appeared to get bleaker still – even if they were spared the departure of one of Japan’s favourite ‘sons’.

Racing on home ground, Honda suffered the embarrassment of Fernando Alonso publicly describing the performance as “embarrassing” on the team radio while Jenson Button said he felt like a "samurai without his shield and sword."

It was, therefore, probably a political decision not to announce Button’s expected retirement at Suzuka.

The Briton has big support in Japan and was expected to confirm his decision to bow out of the sport there last weekend. That it did not happen does not mean it won’t. Just not there.

He did fan the flames by suggesting a future in the World Endurance Championship - where Mark Webber went to join Porsche last year - would appeal, as would becoming a team manager in World RX. Not to mention becoming as a semi-pro triathlete and adventure racer. Or a Top Gear presenter. The rumoured potential prospects are endless.

Even McLaren boss Jonathan Neale hinted at a Button exit when he admitted: “if your driver doesn't really want to be in the seat we have to respect that...”

Fernando Alonso: Under pressure

Image credit: Imago

But the worry is he could have equally been talking about Alonso.

The Spaniard is not pleased and although he is sticking with it, he was forced to deny rumours from Flavio Briatore that he could consider an alternative himself.

When asked, however, team boss Eric Boullier confirmed Alonso “will be with us next year” – but things will need to improve fast to prevent him from jumping ship in the future.

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