Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Coulthard relates to Rosberg's dominance by Ham

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David Coulthard knows exactly how it feels to have a team-mate with an upper hand vying for the championship.

Writing in his BBC column this week about Nico Rosberg's dominance by Lewis Hamilton, Coulthard remembered the years at McLaren when Mika Hakkinen's success shadowed the Scot's on-track performance.

"Having raced for six years as team-mate to Mika Hakkinen, I know what it is to be alongside a driver who fundamentally is just that bit faster."

"You are often left short by only a tenth of a second - but you are left short. You don't give up, and say: "Oh, he's better than me." You keep digging deep, and keep thinking of ways to win. You keep believing. That is an inherent part of being a sportsman."

Hamilton's triumph at Monza and Rosberg's empty score has helped the British driver increase his championship lead to 53 points, a margin most view as very difficult to make up for the German who has been clearly outpaced by his team mate this season.

"It is never over until it is over - Hamilton could have a run of bad luck with accidents and reliability. You never know.," added Coulthard.

"But if we are frank, at hardly any point this year has Rosberg looked a match for Hamilton."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.