How Hamilton closed the gap

Courier Sport looks at how Lewis Hamilton has turned a 43-point deficit into a six-point lead in just six races.

MONACO

Hamilton arrived following his dramatic first-lap crash with Rosberg which saw both Mercedes cars crash out. But while Hamilton could qualify only third, he relished the wet-dry conditions in Monte Carlo. Rosberg, who was slowing Hamilton up in the early phase of the race, was ordered out of his way, and Hamilton then benefited from Daniel Ricciardo’s pit-stop gaffe to win his first race of the season. Rosberg limped in seventh.

Rosberg 106, Hamilton 82

CANADA

Hamilton started on pole but slipped to second after banging wheels with Rosberg at turn one. Rosberg was edged onto the grass and fell back down the pack, while Sebastian Vettel took the lead. Vettel then looked odds-on to win but Ferrari’s two-stop strategy backfired and Hamilton, who pitted for tyres on one fewer occasion, won. Rosberg was only fifth.

Rosberg 116, Hamilton 107

BAKU

An uncharacteristic mistake from Hamilton in qualifying meant he started the sport’s inaugural race in Azerbaijan only 10th. And his charge back through the field was curtailed by an incorrect engine setting, which, under the sport’s strict radio rules, Mercedes were forbidden from telling him how to fix. Down on power for much of the race, he finished only fifth as Rosberg, unchallenged, won.

Rosberg 141, Hamilton 117

AUSTRIA

Rosberg appeared on course to win for a third successive time in Austria, but on the final lap he made a mistake at turn one which enabled Hamilton to close the gap. As Hamilton attempted to pass Rosberg, the German crashed into his Mercedes team-mate. While Hamilton went on to win a dramatic race, Rosberg crossed the line in fourth and was penalised by the stewards with a 10-second timed p enalty – which did not affect his finishing position.

Rosberg 153, Hamilton 142

BRITISH

Hamilton started on pole and then revelled in the inclement conditions to cruise to his third successive win in front of his home fans. Rosberg finished behind his team-mate but was demoted to third after he was found to be in breach of the radio rules as he struggled with a gearbox issue in the closing stages.

Rosberg 168 Hamilton 167

HUNGARY

After beating Rosberg on the long run down to turn one, Hamilton then controlled the race to win for a record fifth time in Hungary. The victory also enabled Hamilton to move ahead of his team-mate for the first time this season.

Hamilton 192, Rosberg 186