Nico Rosberg says he looks to return to winning ways at the German Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver hoping to make it back-to-back victories at Hockenheim.

For the first time this year, Rosberg will not be leading the championship at the start of a race weekend, having relinquished the top spot to team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Budapest last Sunday.

“It was disappointing to lose the race at the first corner in Hungary,” Rosberg said. “But I was really happy with my pace all weekend, so that gives me good confidence moving forwards.

“I'm happy to have the chance to get back in the car again so soon - and especially happy that it's at my second home race [the 31-year-old lives in Monaco].”

Formula One’s last visit to Germany stretched back to 2014, as contractual and legal issues led to the demise of the event 12 months ago.

Rosberg, who has only won once in the last seven races after claiming the opening four, hopes he can recapture his earlier form at a venue he is familiar with and where he is the most recent winner.

“I had a fantastic day at Hockenheim a few weeks ago driving Mika Häkkinen's championship-winning car. That really gave me a massive buzz to be back racing in Germany.

“Driving in through the circuit gates brought back so many great memories - from my childhood days at the DTM with my Dad [1982 F1 world champion Keke Rosberg] right through to winning the Grand Prix for myself in 2014. Hopefully I can repeat that this year for the fans and for everybody at Mercedes.

“I’ll be pushing flat out to give them the result they deserve before they get some time to recharge their batteries.”

Scene at the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix

Hungarian Grand Prix - Quotes of the week

Technical analysis - Budapest

DRIVER RATINGS: Hungarian Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

37 mins ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

3 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

23 hours ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago