After falling 19 points behind Hamilton heading into the summer break, Rosberg, who was celebrating his 200th grand prix start on Sunday, is now back in control of the title race.
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Nico Rosberg insists “nothing has changed” in his battle with Lewis Hamilton despite taking control of the championship with an impressive display at the Singapore Grand Prix.
While Hamilton managed to leapfrog the Ferrari – after Mercedes caught the Italian team off-guard with a third pit stop – to claim his 99th podium finish, it is Rosberg who is now in charge of the championship.
Hamilton finished his disappointing weekend in a vehicle lacking grip which although it didn’t prevent him from driving a composed race, it prevented him from challenging the first two and he will have to lick his wounds and come back strongly next time at the Malaysian Grand Prix. “He got out of the way just about in time, but we had to drive a bit carefully through there”.
“It’s been an awesome weekend here in Singapore for me, already yesterday with the pole lap and then today with the great start”, Rosberg said. “He couldn’t really double check the set-up, he wasn’t happy with the set-up, the vehicle wasn’t like it was. It was their only chance actually of making it, but you are right, we took Lewis out of the game and Raikkonen out of the game and gave them the possibility”. “I am still in the fight, there is still a long way to go, and I am going to give it everything I have got”.
When the race restarted on lap three, Rosberg darted away into the lead only for there to be a heart-stopping moment.
Rosberg’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, struggled to stretch the vehicle all weekend. “He whole vehicle was on the edge, it always is in Singapore so it is all the more satisfying to win a race like that”.
There was also drama in the opening stages of the race as Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg crashed off the line, forcing a delay followed by a short Safety Car period.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen started poorly from fourth on the grid and finished sixth, overtaking Alonso with seven laps to go. This weekend has been a tricky one for me but I am glad to get some points for the team. He got off the start well but when the brake temps kicked in it took him a while to manage them.
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And it is precisely because I think Hamilton is better than the German that Rosberg must take full advantage of the initiative he now has and prove me and others wrong.
