Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Rosberg 'complains about a lot of things' - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg "complains about a lot of things" but he doesn't let it get to him.

The relationship between Hamilton and Rosberg has been strained at times this season, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hinting a change of driver line-up would be required if it continued to have a negative impact on the team.With Rosberg unhappy with Hamilton's actions during wheel-to-wheel battles between the two on numerous occasions this season, the triple world champion says he's used to the comments.

"You've seen he complains about a lot of things," Hamilton told the BBC. "But you kind of let it go over your head because that's just the way he is. It's kind of the different background we come from, I guess."

And Hamilton makes reference to the start incidents in Japan and Austin where he pushed Rosberg wide as examples of doing what is required to win races.

"On the racing side of things you have to be tough. You can't be nice out there, and go: 'Hey, here's some space.' I mean business. I'm not here to make friends, to finish the race and say: 'Hey, that was a lovely race, chap, you were so friendly with me, you let me win.'

"This is the one opportunity and you take it. That doesn't mean wiping someone out or cheating but you have to be fierce, strong and hard to as much of the limit as you can be. And you can ask every world champion, if you're on the outside, you have to back off."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.