F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Hamilton ‘not worried’ about gap to Rosberg

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton says he is “not particularly worried” after Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg outpaced him in both Friday practice sessions for the German Grand Prix.

The Briton was over 0.3s behind his title rival in FP1 and saw the gap grow to nearly four tenths in the afternoon. Hamilton remains confident he can erase the deficit to Rosberg but admits it will be no easy feat given the German's form on home soil.

“That was just not a great lap, so I am not particularly worried,” the triple world champion said of the gap to the other Mercedes.

“I had good pace on the previous lap, it was just the one lap on the super-softs. I think overnight we should in a good position. It’s going to be close, for sure, Nico’s pretty quick here.

“FP2 didn’t feel very good. The beginning of the session felt quite good, the end of the session after FP1 felt OK. Then FP2 got worse and worse and worse with balance issue but I’ll rectify it hopefully.

“Nico’s feeling quite confident and calm in the car so it will be a good battle.”

When asked about whether it would be a special feeling to beat Rosberg at his home race on Sunday, Hamilton did not resist taking a dig at his team-mate.

“It’s going to be the same as wanting to beat him everywhere, but this is not his home really! With all due respect, he grew up in Monaco, so… That’s like if we had a race in Grenada saying it was my home, but actually I was born in England.

“But it’s the nation he claims and so it’s the one that will be most special to him, he’s got family so it will be special but I hope I stay ahead.”

REPORT: Rosberg maintains advantage over Hamilton in FP2

AS IT HAPPENED: Free practice for the German Grand Prix

Exclusive Alex Wurz Q&A: GPDA chairman "surprised" by Halo delay

Chris Medland's 2016 German Grand Prix preview

FEATURE: Halo: splitting opinion in F1

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

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Williams' Boutsen hoists the mainsail in Adelaide

On this day in 1989, Williams' Thierry Boutsen secured his second F1 win when he…

1 hour ago

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

2 hours ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

3 hours ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

4 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

19 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

20 hours ago