• Italian GP - Race

Lewis pressure led to error - Rosberg

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Nico Rosberg says the error which cost him victory at the Italian Grand Prix was "very bad" and admits it was down to the pressure Lewis Hamilton was putting him under.

Rosberg led off the line after pole-sitter Hamilton struggled with an early start system issue, but his Mercedes team-mate was back within two seconds at the pit stop window. Rosberg had outbraked himself into the Rettifilo chicane in the early stages of the race and did it again on lap 29, which allowed the charging Hamilton past after he had shaved the German's lead down to within a second.

"Lewis was just quick coming from behind so I needed to up my pace and as a result just made a mistake," Rosberg said. "It was very bad and that lost me the lead in the end, so I'm very disappointed from that point of view. Monza is one of the most difficult tracks for braking because of the low downforce and the highest speed of the year. It isn't excuse, it is what it is. It is one of the challenges here and unfortunately I just got it wrong two times in the race."

Hamilton's victory brought Rosberg's championship lead down to 22 points, but the German admits he can take comfort from second given the closeness of the title fight.

"For me, of course I'm disappointed now right afterwards but it's still second place and a lot of points so it's not a complete disaster. I have to look at reality. There is worse than that, I only lost seven points to Lewis."

Rosberg says it was disappointing to see the boos which greeted him at the Belgian Grand Prix were still apparent when he took to the podium at Monza.

"It's not nice but what can I say? I have apologised and can't do any more than that. I hope that with time they forgive and forget."

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