Breaking news
Formula 1
Rosberg coping with Hamilton's dominance - Wolff
"Break me down mentally?" - Nico Rosberg. "I think he will struggle with that one."
GMM
Edited: May 13, 2014, 1:21 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Their battles may be played out on the track, but Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are also waging a war of the minds in 2014.
One silver-clad driver or the other will almost certainly be crowned this year's champion, and so far the ultra-dominant Brackley team's management is giving them a free run to go wheel-to-wheel.
"We are cautiously optimistic," said team boss Toto Wolff (in photo). "Perhaps more optimistic than cautious at the moment!"
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05
Photo by: XPB Images
Briton Hamilton currently has the upper hand, having won four of the five Grands Prix so far and finally taking the championship lead from Rosberg in Spain.
Some believe it is a major psychological blow for the German.
"Break me down mentally?" Rosberg hit back when asked if Hamilton's superiority is getting to him.
"I think he will struggle with that one."
Hamilton, six months older than Rosberg, is often credited as perhaps the naturally fastest driver on the F1 grid, while it is said that Rosberg's speed is more analytically crafted.
"They are different characters," Wolff told the APA news agency.
"Lewis has instinct and merciless speed," said the Austrian. "Nico's preparation is meticulous. He has a great understanding of the car and is fascinated by the data."
But Wolff said Hamilton also does not neglect the hard work off-track.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director
Photo by: XPB Images
"He has become an incredibly hard worker," he said. "This year even more than last. I think everything has now taken a higher priority."
However, Wolff said Hamilton's character has another side.
"He is incredibly sensitive to criticism," he explained, "with strong reactions. But this is also why he drives as he does."
Team chairman Niki Lauda said after Hamilton's Barcelona win that the 29-year-old Briton is currently "unbeatable".
Earlier, 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell hailed Hamilton's 2014 form as "close to perfection".
Rosberg replied: "Lewis is just a human, with strengths and weaknesses. And I know what I can do."
Some predict that Hamilton's advantage may eventually get to Rosberg, but Wolff is not so sure.
"He (Rosberg) has no problem dealing with the situation," Wolff is quoted by Speed Week.
"Of course he is disappointed to finish second behind his teammate, but I have no doubt that they will both have their triumphs against one another," he added.
GMM
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Red Bull to assess 2014 chase in Austria - Marko
Next article McLaren may test Honda power in 2014
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Lewis Hamilton
‘I’ll try to win, somehow’ – Can Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fight back for F1 Brazilian GP victory?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
9 h
‘I’ll try to win, somehow’ – Can Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fight back for F1 Brazilian GP victory?
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
More from
Mercedes
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Latest news
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 min
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
42 min
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe