Monaco Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg's and Lewis Hamilton's frosty relationship unchanged despite Barcelona crash
Rosberg and Hamilton collided on the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix, but the German says he will do 'what is necessary' to ensure he triumphs in Monaco
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Your support makes all the difference.Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg insists he will not change his racing approach and will do "what is necessary" to win the Monaco Grand Prix.
On Sunday, Hamilton and Rosberg will go toe-to-toe for the first time since their spectacular collision in which both Mercedes cars failed to make it beyond turn four of the Spanish Grand Prix.
And while Hamilton, who trails Rosberg by 43 points in the championship, insists there is no tension between the two championship protagonists, the German will not adapt his style.
"I'm not going to be thinking about Barcelona," said Rosberg, who is bidding to become only the second driver in the sport's history to win the Monaco Grand Prix on four consecutive occasions.
"I'll take the same approach as always, flat out and do what is necessary to try and win this grand prix, which is what I've came here to do."
Both Hamilton, Rosberg, and their Mercedes team for that matter are publicly keen to draw a line under the opening-lap crash in Barcelona. Indeed Hamilton hailed what he described as the "pure respect" shared between the Mercedes team-mates.
In the past there would have been some kind of tension but it was just pure respect
"We spoke to each other today and there was no problems," Hamilton added. "In the past there would have been some kind of tension but it was just pure respect.
"I said 'I still have all the respect for you' and he said the same, so let's keep racing. I think it is just us getting older. We are good at our jobs and we know it. It is really just a showing of growth within Nico and I."
Hamilton heads into Sunday's race having failed to win here in his previous seven attempts. Moreover, the Briton last topped the podium at the United States Grand Prix in October - a streak which now stretches to more than 200 days.
"It is much easier leading the championship because you know you have got an advantage so you have got that comfort buffer," Hamilton added. "I have zero comfort buffer right now.
"Don't focus on the 'what ifs' just focus on the now, and I am trying to move forward always."
PA
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