Mercedes not expecting grid penalty for Nico Rosberg

  • Published on 21 Jul 2016 13:05
  • comments 0
  • By: Dominik Wilde

Mercedes are not expecting Nico Rosberg to take a gearbox penalty at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, despite the problems suffered by the German at the British Grand Prix.

A change for Rosberg would mean a five-place grid penalty, severely hampering his championship chances.

But a team spokesman said that the team were "optimistic that it [the gearbox] will be [okay]."

Rosberg, who currently leads the championship by one point over team mate Lewis Hamilton is expected to run the gearbox in first free practice tomorrow "to make sure it is okay".

The Hungarian Grand Prix is the only race Mercedes have failed to win since the 1.6 litre V6 formula was introduced in 2014. Rosberg's highest finish at the track is fourth which came in 2014 - a race in which he set the fastest lap.

Former engineers feel Rosberg is struggling in title fight

Former Formula One engineers Mark Hutcherson and Marc Priestly believe that Rosberg is showing signs of a struggle as the championship battle hots up.

Speaking to Sky Sports, former Red Bull man Hutcherson said: "I don't think it's about pure pace but the problem is with pure pace he can maybe get a pole - but at the minute if Lewis is near him, he's managed to find a way to get past him."

"Whether they've made contact, whether Lewis has thought on the last lap, 'I'll have a go', whatever it is," he added. "I think mentally Nico Rosberg is struggling."

Ex-McLaren mechanic Priestly agreed, saying Hamilton's resurgence has clearly had an effect on Rosberg.

"I think Lewis has played a big part in that, not only with his driving, but the words he comes out with," he said. "It's got to hurt, hasn't it?"

"When you've seen that huge lead evaporate almost to nothing, it's got to be playing on his mind."

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