Oct.28 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he is maintaining his focus, despite comments made by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Mercedes’ Niki Lauda reacted angrily when Ecclestone admitted he hopes Lewis Hamilton wins the title, because the Briton is the better ambassador for the sport.
“I spoke to him personally and he said that’s not exactly the way he said it,” Rosberg said in Mexico, where the German has his first title ‘match point’ of the year.
“Anyway, it’s not something that’s important to me — I focus on my thing and that’s it.”
However, it’s not the only noise surrounding Rosberg’s 26-point lead that, statistically, he should be able to hang onto until the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi.
Many people – Hamilton included – think Rosberg’s campaign has been significantly boosted by persistent technical problems on the sister car.
“If I had had a reliable car, then this season would have taken a different course — more like 2014 and 2015,” the Briton said on Thursday.
“But I have to live with it.”
Rosberg told reporters that he is shutting out all that sort of noise.
“Those are two examples that you’ve given me and that’s the nature of the business,” he said. “It’s always going to be like that so I like to focus on the people who really support me.”
2016 would be Rosberg’s first title, but his countryman Sebastian Vettel has won no fewer than four times.
The Ferrari driver said in Mexico: “For Nico it’s important to try to keep his focus and not think about it too much. Then it’s just down to your own performance.
“But Nico has been performing on eye-level with Lewis this year, so he need not be worried. From a German perspective, it would be nice if Nico did it,” Vettel added.