“It’s still going to be a challenge because if we remember just four weeks ago, I finished behind two Red Bulls in the race”, said Rosberg referring to the last race in Germany which he started on pole but finished fourth.
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Hamilton is likely to be joined on the back row by ex-teammate Fernando Alonso, who is facing a 35-place grid penalty of his own.
Rosberg, however, has only been on the podium thrice in those seven races and, as a result, heads into Sunday’s race 19 points adrift of Hamilton, having led the Briton by as many as 43 after May’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“The team have done a great job on the halo”, said Rosberg.
LEWIS Hamilton is set to start the Belgian GP from last on the grid after Mercedes triggered multiple engine-related penalties during Friday Practice at Spa.
“In terms of winning that is the goal, but it is going to be very, very hard, ” said Hamilton, who is just one win shy of 50 career victories.
After nearly two years of Hamilton dominance, they said, the team had clearly decided this was the turn of Nico Rosberg to share some of the Silver Arrows’ success-the German quickly established a 43-point lead with victories in each of the opening four races.
But during that very volatile period, perhaps the only thing the lunatics-as team boss Toto Wolff politely referred to them, per Sky Sports-didn’t complain about to @MercedesAMGF1 was among the most glaring, strangest errors made by F1’s most attentive team since they became the sport’s dominance force in 2014. I’m just trying to focus on getting the auto as well prepared for the race as I can, and I’ll take their lead on it.
In the morning, Rosberg was fastest ahead of Hamilton.
Although practice lacked excitement, it was important for testing as drivers were given two extra sets of Pirelli tires, while some wore a protective halo device.
“It doesn’t disturb me when driving”. I think they can even come down with that because LMP1 is lower anyways.
Pirelli, the Italian manufacturer, is testing tires to try and add more protection for drivers from impacts with kerbs and track debris.
This follows Sebastian Vettel’s rant when his tire blew during last year’s race.
The unexpected glorious weather saw fans arriving in droves, including a large group of Dutch to cheer on Verstappen, tipped as F1’s next big star and the youngest driver to win a race.
Now, Hamilton’s penalty gives Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hope for another win.
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“Car-wise we seem to be quick.” enthused Rosberg.
