27/10/2016
NEWS STORY
Nico Rosberg admits that the relationship between himself and teammate Lewis Hamilton is intense.
Though highly unlikely, Nico Rosberg can secure the 2016 title this weekend. Should he win the race and teammate Lewis Hamilton fail to finish the German would win the title, job done.
There are other permutations, but in all honesty barring a major reliability issue the title fight will go to Abu Dhabi or at least Interlagos.
Rosberg still insists that he is not looking at the bigger picture, the title, preferring to focus on each race as it comes along.
"I am well aware of that," he said when told that he can mathematically take the title on Sunday, "and yeah, it's been a great season so far, which has put me into this position.
"It's exciting to be in this championship battle now with Lewis towards the end of the season," he continued. "We've been there before but anyways, it's very cool. And that's it.
"As I've said before, that for me, my way at the moment of achieving the best possible performance is really just to focus on the things that are within my control - and that's, here in Mexico, try and win the race, and that's it.
"It's a childhood dream," he said of the title. "But that's where it ends for me, what's important for me this weekend is winning the Mexican Grand Prix."
Asked about the atmosphere within the team, he said: "The atmosphere is really, really good. As an example we had a great party on Sunday night after Austin. All the mechanics, engineers together, it's great.
"The team has come a long way and, in every area, we're just so strong now. Even just this team feeling. Pulling in one direction, having a good time together. Everything. The atmosphere is awesome. I think everybody is thrilled by this battle which we're finding ourselves in."
And the atmosphere with Lewis...
"That's not something I think about too much really," he replies. "I try and do my thing and get the best possible result. That's it. Of course it's intense, but at the same time there's an easy-going side lately."
Asked by a British tabloid (groan) if he believes he deserves the title, or that he is leading the championship due to Hamilton's failures, and that, as Bernie Ecclestone has suggested, the Briton makes a more exciting, newsworthy champion, Rosberg said: "You're talking a lot about what others think and their opinions. I'm here to win races and not to please everybody that's out there.
"There's always going to be people that have opinions that will be going against me in some way or other," he continued. "Those are two examples that you've given me and that's the nature of the business, it's always going to be like that so I like to focus on the people who really support me. And that's it."
Bravo.
Check out our Thursday gallery from Mexico City, here.