Nico to renew challenge with Spa-ring partner
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, BELGIUM: Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg believes the mid-season break will have done him good as he bids to wrestle control of the F1 championship back from teammate Lewis Hamilton.
German Rosberg won the first four races of the season but world champion Hamilton clawed his way back, winning four in a row himself before F1 took nearly a month off following the German Grand Prix on July 31. Hamilton now leads the standings with 217 points to Rosberg’s 198.
“For me, it’s like a clean slate at this stage. What’s happened so far this season is in the past. I can’t wait to get in that car, put my foot down and get everything I can from these next races,” Rosberg said in a team statement. “Belgium is a great place to kick start the year after the break. It’s such an awesome track ...”
Rosberg, pictured, who reports say will trial the halo head protection system in today practice, suffered from a perceived lack of killer instinct in the last few races with two terrible starts from pole ending his victory chances in Hungary and at home at Hockenheim.
Hamilton, meanwhile, took his opportunities with aplomb. “The first half of the season was a bit of a roller-coaster, so it’s great to be in the position I’m in with more than half of the races behind us. There will be more up and downs to come, I’m sure,” said the Briton.
There is at least half a chance that a Mercedes driver will not be on top of the podium come Sunday. Spa is so challenging that engine and tyre management are tougher than at most tracks, which might offer a window to a Red Bull or a Ferrari. Add the unpredictable weather to the equation, where often one part of the track can be sunny and another rainy, and there is reason to suspect a surprise.
The return from the mid-season break also heralds the start of the driver merrygo-round when seats for next season are snapped up. Former world champion Jensen Button, 36, is one name in the frame to be dropped and possibly face retirement with McLaren mulling whether to give exciting reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne a shot in 2017.