Massa: Rosberg deserves title more than Hamilton

Oct.22 - There is "no doubt" that Nico Rosberg deserves to be the 2016 champion.

That is the claim of F1 veteran Felipe Massa, as the paddock watches on for the final four-race run for the crown between Mercedes' warring drivers.

"Nico has had a better year than (Lewis) Hamilton," the Williams driver told the Brazilian press.

"He has done a good job on the track, with the team and on the psychological side," Massa added. "There is no doubt that, this year, he deserves to be champion more than Hamilton."

Indeed, many observers think recent controversies at Suzuka in particular showed that Hamilton is struggling with the pressure of the 2016 battle.

"We tend to underestimate the pressure these guys are under," Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said, when asked about what the media has dubbed Hamilton's Snapchat 'meltdown'.

In that way, Wolff said Hamilton has been excused for hitting out at reporters and even hinting at internal team sabotage.

"As long as he learns from it and moves on, and we don't repeat these things, it is not damaging," he said, confirming that some post-Suzuka talks took place.

Someone who doesn't mind the controversies at all, however, is F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who still thinks Hamilton makes the more exciting champion.

"If Nico won the title it would be good for him and good for Mercedes but it wouldn't necessarily help the sport because there is nothing to write about him," he said in Austin.

So Ecclestone advised Wolff not to overly 'stage manage' Hamilton and his controversies.

"I'd let Lewis do what he wants," he said. "Absolutely. Let him get on with it."

However, Wolff also admires the way in which Rosberg has walled himself off psychologically this year, even if it means he doesn't attract headlines like Hamilton.

"He doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve, because he's so disciplined," he said.

"Nico's self-discipline has been taken to new levels this year."

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