Rosberg: Lewis data will help recover from FP2 issue

Nico Rosberg says he will rely on the data gathered by Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Friday practice for the British Grand Prix to make up for lost ground after not running in FP2 at Silverstone.

The F1 points leader’s W07 picked up a water leak in the afternoon, which prevented him from building on his strong FP1 showing. Rosberg was second fastest in the morning, slotting in a mere 0.033s behind Hamilton.

Asked for details about his recovery plan, the German said: “I will try and do the homework and listen to what Lewis was doing, watching his data and all of that, trying to learn a few bits and pieces that I can then take on for my car. And I was not far off this morning anyway, in terms of balance.

“Of course, this was a pity not to get out [in FP2]. I lost some track time there, which makes things a bit difficult but I really felt good in the morning in the car so I’m not too worried.

“Saturday morning, we’ll just practice on a few extra things in FP3, maybe do some short long runs as well to practice a little bit for the race because I did not do much practice at all for the race and qualifying. It’ll be OK.”

Mercedes dominated the opening day at Silverstone, with Hamilton sweeping both sessions with comfortable margins over the rest of the field. Rosberg admits his team-mate is once again likely to be the main hurdle on the way to victory.

“He will try for sure and it will be a good battle and I look forward to battling it.

“[Ferrari and Red Bull] are always a threat, they were pretty close but we had a good day today.”

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