Hamilton not playing it safe as Rosberg takes Brazil pole

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Going for it: Rosberg kept the pressure on Hamilton with yet another brilliant pole position.

    Lewis Hamilton has insisted he will not be playing it safe during today’s Brazilian Grand Prix with another British Formula One record in his sights.

    Last Sunday Hamilton became the most successful British driver in F1 history in terms of race victories after claiming his 32nd by taking the chequered flag in the United States.

    Seven days on and around one of the most-famed circuits in the world in Interlagos, Hamilton could become the first British driver to win six in a row, a feat previously achieved by Nigel Mansell and Jim Clark.

    Hamilton, though, will have to do so in the wake of a dominant display so far from Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg. Fastest in all three practice sessions, Rosberg followed up by topping the timesheet at the end of each of the three qualifying runs.

    The crucial one, of course, came at the death and seconds after he had been ousted by Hamilton, with the German taking pole – and with it the trophy for most over the year – by just 0.033secs.

    It has been a perfect response so far from Rosberg given Hamilton’s run, although nothing less than victory will suffice today.

    Rosberg could win the next two races, even with double points on offer in the final event of the year in Abu Dhabi , and still not take the title. Hamilton, though, has no intention of easing off the gas.

    He said: “I’m here to win, just as much as anyone else. So I be will working as hard as I can tomorrow. I’m going to try and get off the line as quickly as possible, and if I have a chance (to overtake) into turn one then I’m going to take it. I’m genuinely excited there’s going to be an opportunity at the start. As I said, like all the races, I just hope we can race at least.”

    Asked whether second place would be a good result, a defiant Hamilton said: “I repeat again that I’m here to win. The target is always to win the race. On top of that I want the team to have another one-two, which is going to be our target because we know Williams are very close so hopefully we’ll have a good battle tomorrow.”

    In many respects Rosberg cannot afford to take many risks himself and squander points, regardless of the fact 50 are available for the win in Abu Dhabi.

    Knowing his dominance so far counts for nothing, particularly as from nine previous poles he has gone on to win only twice, Rosberg said: “This will be a perfect job only if it works out tomorrow. Up until now everything has been going well, and I’m in the best place to be, but I need to make it happen in the race, unlike Austin for example (where he was on pole but finished second).

    “I understand where I need to improve from Austin. We’ve looked at that, and I’m confident I can improve on that for tomorrow.”

    Although the pressure appears heavier on Rosberg now he is the hunter rather than the hunted, the 29-year-old insists little has altered.

    He added: “Pressure? It’s pretty similar. The adrenaline is there, the tension, the excitement, they have not changed that much.

    “I’m here going for it, pushing myself to stay optimistic all the time – I am optimistic. I know what I need to do tomorrow, so I’m good to go.”

    As for the first turn, a notorious one in past years with accidents not uncommon, Rosberg said: “I’m sure the start is going to be great to watch. But I’m on the clean side of the grid, and it’s not a long run down to turn one, so that should definitely be helpful.”

    In front of his home fans Felipe Massa finished third fastest with with team-mate Valtteri Bottas alongside him on the second row.

    McLaren’s Jenson Button was a fine fifth given his problems at the start of the weekend in missing out on first practice due to an ERS (energy recovery store) failure.

    Four-times champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull will start the race from sixth on the grid.

    Recommended