Nico Rosberg steered his Mercedes to a dominant win in yesterday's German Grand Prix, cruising unchallenged to the flag from pole in front of his home fans
Round one knock out: Williams' Felipe Massa crashes out in Lap One of the German F1 GP after colliding with McLaren's Kevin Magnussen at the Hockenheimring Circuit yesterday. Pics/AFP, Getty Images
Hockenheim: Nico Rosberg steered his Mercedes to a dominant win in yesterday's German Grand Prix, cruising unchallenged to the flag from pole in front of his home fans.
Round one knock out: Williams' Felipe Massa crashes out in Lap One of the German F1 GP after colliding with McLaren's Kevin Magnussen at the Hockenheimring Circuit yesterday. Pics/AFP, Getty Images
Rosberg crossed the line about 20 seconds ahead of the Williams of Valtteri Bottas while title-rival Lewis Hamilton staged a spectacular comeback from the back of the grid to finish third.
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Hamilton's race, for the third consecutive weekend, was an exercise in damage-limitation as a brake failure in qualifying followed by a further five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change left him starting 20th on the grid.
The Briton, who had reignited his title challenge a fortnight ago by taking victory in his home race, scythed through the field and at one point seemed set for second-place. But in the end, Bottas proved too quick for the 2008 world champion to pass and Hamilton was forced to settle for third.
Yesterday's win was Rosberg's fourth of the season and the seventh of his career overall allowing him to stretch his lead at the top of the table to 14 points over Hamilton.
Post-World Cup party
"Yeah, we'll definitely be celebrating a little bit tonight. "I hope you (the fans) will as well, it would be great to continue the soccer world championship spirit today," said the 29-year-old, who arrived in Hockenheim celebrating Germany's World Cup victory, his wedding to long-time girlfriend Vivian Sibold and with a newly-minted contract extension in his pocket.
Nico Rosberg
Williams driver Bottas equaled his best-ever finish in F1 with yesterday's second place, matching his result from the recent British GP.
His teammate Felipe Massa, meanwhile suffered a first lap retirement for the second consecutive race, as he collided with McLaren's Kevin Magnussen at the first corner.
Massa, heading into the fast right-hander three-wide alongside Bottas and Magnussen, didn't see the McLaren on the inside and turned in.
The two cars made contact that launched the Williams into a roll and brought out the safety car. An uninjured Massa blamed solely for the collision. "I was in front, I was doing the corner in front of him. If anyone needs to watch, it is the car behind. Massa told reporters.
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