'Title fight will continue to the end of the season'

Lewis Hamilton must hit back hard at championship rival and teammate Nico Rosberg next weekend in Malaysia. That is the view of Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda, who told RTL: "Lewis has to come back with all his strength in Kuala Lumpur to end Nico's incredible run."

Indeed, since the summer break ended, Rosberg has won three grands prix on the trot and overtaken Hamilton in the points standings. However, both silver clad drivers might once again be looking over their shoulders in Malaysia, after being beaten in the Sepang heat a year ago by Ferrari.

And Sebastian Vettel was also highly impressive in Singapore last weekend, finishing fifth after starting from the back. "If Vettel had started where he usually starts, he would have won," an unnamed Mercedes strategist told Auto Motor und Sport.

But Lauda is not so sure Ferrari or even Red Bull will be such a problem at Sepang. "This track (Singapore) was an anti-Mercedes track and a total mess for us last year, but this time we won," he said.

And so the real interest in Malaysia and beyond will be the drivers' title battle between Hamilton and Rosberg. "We will see a real battle and which of the two will win, I cannot predict," team boss Toto Wolff told the APA news agency.

"I saw the best ever Rosberg in Singapore, but that does not mean Hamilton is down. The roles could be reversed again at the next race," he added. "I think the fight will continue until the end of the season, because the situation is constantly changing. I see them at the same level," said Wolff. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,529
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 231
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar