Nico Rosberg predicts Lewis Hamilton rematch

Sport360 staff 18:31 02/02/2015
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  • Fierce competitors: Nico Rosberg (l) and team-mate Lewis Hamilton, pictured with the new F1 W06, endured a frosty relationship last season as the pair fought for the world title, eventually won by the latter.

    Nico Rosberg says he is ready to take the fight for the Formula One driver’s title to team-mate and world champion Lewis Hamilton once more in 2015.

    – Pursuit of Mercedes begins in Jerez
    –  Rosberg eager to challenge Hamilton for next season's title

    Hamilton saw off Rosberg to claim his second world title last season as Mercedes dominated, winning all but three of the 19 races.

    Mercedes launched their new W06 car on the first day of testing in Jerez yesterday.

    “I know the feeling of winning and of fighting for a championship after last year, but I also know the feeling of not winning in the end and I don’t want to repeat that,” said the German.

    “It’s an extra boost and it gives me so much motivation for the year ahead.”

    Rosberg and Hamilton endured a frosty relationship last season with Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff at one point describing their battle as “two enemies competing for the world title”.

    Mercedes are expected to come under more of a challenge this season with relatively few technical rule changes from last year.

    Former world champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have moved to McLaren and Ferrari respectively in the hope of boosting their title credentials.

    However, it is Hamilton that Rosberg has in his sights for the coming season.

    “We know the opposition will be right there, so we have to keep pushing flat out to have any chance of doing that.

    “Nothing is for certain but, whatever happens, I know it will be another great battle with Lewis. This year is the rematch for me and I’m massively motivated for it.”
    Hamilton won 11 races to Rosberg’s five in 2014.

    “You hear about people who achieve a lot but then lose their focus and you wonder; at what point does it fade off? I’m grateful that the fire is still there in me,” Hamilton said.

    “I love winning races but it just feels so much better when you have to fight for it. I just want to get back out there, race hard, be the best I can be and hopefully win some more.”

    Wolff, who was often driven to despair trying to keep his drivers from knocking each other off the track at times last season, said: “It will be another fascinating battle between the two. But we must wait until Melbourne, until we know if we have provided them with a car that allows them to fight each other for wins.”

    Meanwhile, Vettel made the perfect start to his Ferrari career by sending the Italian team to the top of the timesheets on the opening day of pre-season testing at Jerez.

    The four-time world champion completed 60 laps in the new SF15-T, setting a best time of 1m 22.620s in the afternoon session to go clear of the field.

    The second-fastest time went to Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson who was also making his first appearance for his new team. 

    Early pacesetter Rosberg ended third fastest, but it would have mattered little to the German on a day when Mercedes demonstrated ominous form.

    Red Bull make clear their intent to hunt down Mercedes

    Changing colours - The new RB11.

    Red Bull team principal Christian Horner wants to give Mercedes more of a run for their money after launching the new RB11 in Jerez yesterday.

    Sporting an unusual camouflage livery, the Red Bull completed more laps in the first hour on track than they managed on the first day of a disastrous first test last season.

    “Our target [this season] is simple: to close down the gap to Mercedes yet further,” said Horner.

    “We were the only team other than Mercedes to win a Grand Prix in 2014 and we won three with Daniel Ricciardo.

    “We know what we’re aiming at, we know what we need to achieve and I believe that with the RB11, with the drivers we have and with the new structures put in place we should be able to do that.”

    With Sebastian Vettel having moved on to Ferrari, 20-year-old Russian Daniil Kyvat will partner Ricciardo this season.

    Horner added: “We know the quality of Daniel following his performances last year and in Daniil we have an outstanding talent.

    “They’re young, hungry, they’re incredibly quick and I think they are going to push each other very hard throughout the year.”

    Ricciardo, who got behind the wheel of the new car at yesterday’s test, said: “There was plenty of pressure on me last year to prove myself in a top team and I think everyone knows now what I’m capable of so I’m excited to build on what we achieved in 2014 and ready to give Mercedes a good fight.”

    Kyvat has just one full season of F1 racing under his belt, finishing 15th with Toro Rosso in 2014.

    The Russian said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to finally getting into the car. 

    “Though many people in the team know me quite well, there is still the challenge of entering a new team for myself.

    “I haven’t really set any targets for 2015. I just want to keep doing the best job possible.”

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