Ahead of the United States Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg is shutting out any negative thoughts as he targets his first Formula 1 world championship, aiming to capitalise on the 33 points lead he has over Mercedes teammate and title rival Lewis Hamilton, with four races to go.
In Austin, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton conceded that he would take defeat in this year’s Formula 1 title battle ‘like a man’.
When asked by media how he would react if he lost the title to Hamilton, Rosberg replied, “I haven’t thought of that because I am planning to go for more race wins at the moment and that’s it.”
“And definitely such negative thoughts I will fully avoid. There’s no point, that’s not going to make me faster this weekend to think how am I going to feel if I lose. That doesn’t work.”
Rosberg is enjoying a strong run of form, having already won nine races while Hamilton trails with only six wins, the last one coming back in July. Since then Rosberg has won four times and consolidated his lead. He looks a good bet to join his father Keke Rosberg as a Formula 1 world champion.
“It’s business as usual this weekend,” Rosberg declared to reporters. “Why lose energy and think about something that’s still miles away and can or cannot happen? Better just stay in the moment and make the best of it.”
“You can choose what you think about, can’t you. I choose to think about Austin and the weekend that I have here … I don’t suppress it, I just go for something else.”
Rosberg needs only to follow Hamilton home in all four remaining races to clinch the title, but his goal is victory.
“I’m going for the win here this weekend, I’m not trying to bring home any second places. I will try to push for the win, 100 percent all the way until the chequered flag,” added Rosberg.