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From GMM
With only the 'Abu Double' showdown to run, Nico Rosberg nibbled back into title rival Lewis Hamilton's now 17-point lead with victory in Brazil.
"Obviously I had a big mistake in the mid part of the race," said championship leader and favourite Hamilton, referring to his spin.
German Rosberg, however, who started from pole, insisted that he always felt in control of the Briton on Sunday afternoon.
Still, he looked slightly glum on the podium. "No, I am happy. Very happy," Nico Rosberg insisted.
But he also acknowledged that, having failed to stop Hamilton's winning streak a week ago in Austin, the world championship is no longer under his control.
That's because if he wins again in Abu Dhabi, and Hamilton finishes second yet again, the controversial 'double points' outcome will hand the title to the Briton.
Rosberg, then, is rooting for Williams' on-form Felipe Massa, who finished third in Brazil. If he splits the Mercedes on the podium in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg's title is back in his charge.
"He's the man," Rosberg grinned, pointing to Massa. "I need some Felipe Massa help."
Later, he explained: "Lewis must not finish second in Abu Dhabi. He has to finish no higher than P3.
"I need to motivate Felipe to relax well before Abu Dhabi and have a stunning weekend to finish second!" Rosberg smiled.
Hamilton, however, indicated that although he always pushes to win races, he knows how to tackle the decisive race of the 2014 season.
"The situation is quite different to my first title in 2008, but I know how to win," he is quoted by the German newspaper Bild.
"For sure I don't need to risk as much as before, so if I find myself in a situation where there is a lot of risk, hopefully my experience will come into it."
With only the 'Abu Double' showdown to run, Nico Rosberg nibbled back into title rival Lewis Hamilton's now 17-point lead with victory in Brazil.
"Obviously I had a big mistake in the mid part of the race," said championship leader and favourite Hamilton, referring to his spin.
German Rosberg, however, who started from pole, insisted that he always felt in control of the Briton on Sunday afternoon.
Still, he looked slightly glum on the podium. "No, I am happy. Very happy," Nico Rosberg insisted.
But he also acknowledged that, having failed to stop Hamilton's winning streak a week ago in Austin, the world championship is no longer under his control.
That's because if he wins again in Abu Dhabi, and Hamilton finishes second yet again, the controversial 'double points' outcome will hand the title to the Briton.
Rosberg, then, is rooting for Williams' on-form Felipe Massa, who finished third in Brazil. If he splits the Mercedes on the podium in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg's title is back in his charge.
"He's the man," Rosberg grinned, pointing to Massa. "I need some Felipe Massa help."
Later, he explained: "Lewis must not finish second in Abu Dhabi. He has to finish no higher than P3.
"I need to motivate Felipe to relax well before Abu Dhabi and have a stunning weekend to finish second!" Rosberg smiled.
 |
| Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) and Felipe Massa (Williams). (Photo: WRi2) |
Hamilton, however, indicated that although he always pushes to win races, he knows how to tackle the decisive race of the 2014 season.
"The situation is quite different to my first title in 2008, but I know how to win," he is quoted by the German newspaper Bild.
"For sure I don't need to risk as much as before, so if I find myself in a situation where there is a lot of risk, hopefully my experience will come into it."