And Hamilton said he had “no reason” to believe it was happening. after finishing second to Rosberg in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.
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Hampered by technical issues in 2016, which left him 10th after qualifying before rallying to earn a one-two finish for Mercedes in Sochi, Hamilton finds himself 43 points adrift of Rosberg in the drivers’ championship.
“It’s been an awesome weekend, the car’s been fantastic”, said Rosberg. But now that’s the way it is and I’m very happy about it. It’s been a great four races, very enjoyable. “He’s on it and as motivated as ever”.
Team Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen completed the podium in third.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen finished third in the second Ferrari ahead of compatriot Valtteri Bottas and his Williams team-mate Felipe Massa.
Whether he could have caught Rosberg was doubtful – the German demonstrated he could produce blistering pace when needed with a fast lap just before the end. A gearbox penalty meant that even when he qualified second, he still got demoted to seventh on the grid at the opening of the race.
Rosberg’s advantage means Hamilton would have to win and finish second without the German scoring to draw level.
He had closed to seven seconds behind Rosberg and was entertaining thoughts of winning the race when the team told him to back off because his engine was losing water pressure.
Only three men have won the first four on the trot and all have gone on to become champion – Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
SOCHI, May 2, 2016 (Xinhua) – German Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg sprays champagne after winning the Formula One Russian Grand prix in Sochi May 1, 2016.
Force India’s Sergio Perez was ninth, with Jenson Button taking the final point in his McLaren Honda.
“Yes, I have a good points lead but there are 425 points to go and I have only a 43-point lead”.
The race began controversially for homegrown Daniil Kvyat, as his vehicle bumped Sebastian Vettel’s from behind at turn two before hitting him again at turn three, crashing the Ferrari and it’s driver into the wall and out of the race.
Kyvat had sparked anger from Vettel last time out in China when bumping into him again on the first lap. “Honestly, what are we doing here?” he lamented in an expletive-filled rant over team radio. Kvyat was dealt a 10-second-stop-and-go penalty for his part in the incidents.
Raikkonen’s team-mate Vettel was taken out by two separate clashes with Kvyat on the first lap.
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“On the Sochi circuit yes, I was surprised”, said Arrivabene. Prior to that he was pushed into Red Bull’s other driver Daniel Ricciardo, forcing the Australian to pit early. Also retired after contact further back were Nico Hulkenberg and Rio Haryanto.
