• Mercedes

Hamilton: Rosberg will be 'stronger than ever'

Lewis Hamilton thinks championship rival Nico Rosberg has already demonstrated this season he has the mental strength needed to bounce back from his setback in Singapore.

Hamilton has spent much of the season chasing Mercedes team-mate Rosberg's lead at the top of the standings after various incidents, but that all changed in Singapore. While Rosberg retired after an early issue with his steering column Hamilton emerged victorious, taking the lead of the championship by three points as a result.

When asked whether the 25-point swing would affect Rosberg in the final five races, Hamilton said: "I don't think so, personally. Nico is such a strong competitor, since we were young kids he's always been strong mentally, confident and sure of his abilities. He's shown time and time again his pace, his speed, and he's also shown how quickly he can overcome things.

"I think he handled the last race with dignity. He was positive, it felt - at least from what I could see - like he moved on very quickly so I anticipate he'll be here and stronger than ever so I need to be ready for that."

Though Hamilton has now become leader of the championship, he says his mentality from race to race has not changed.

"It doesn't change the approach; it doesn't change anything for me. I'm still here to do the same job, I feel like we're both chasing that title so I don't think anything needs to change - we don't need to do any more or less of anything. If anything, I'm more encouraged by the opportunity that lies ahead and the fact we arrive at the race track knowing we can fight for the win, it never gets old.

"I count my blessings because in my racing career I've not always had the car that I could arrive and know I could win with - I could be here thinking we would be fighting for fifth this weekend. It's great we have a car that firstly we are improving on and gets stronger and that also this weekend could be great."

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