The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team got their season back on track at Monza, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg claiming a one-two finish at the Italian track. They were able to put the controversy of the previous round at Spa-Francorchamps behind them, and were able to concentrate on battling for the title on track, and both drivers are hoping to take the win this time around at the night race in Singapore.
Hamilton was able to claw seven points back on Rosberg in the championship at Monza after taking his sixth victory of the year, and believes he is still firmly in the championship hunt with six races to go. He has won previously on the track back in 2009, but is hopeful that he has some luck around the Singapore track this year, with two fifth places and two retirements in the subsequent years since his victory.
“It was a good feeling to finally get back on the top step at Monza – especially after another tough start to the race,” insisted Hamilton. “The car was just flying out there after those difficult first few laps and it was great to be able to capitalise on the pace I felt I’d had right from the beginning of the weekend. Obviously, with Nico coming second I haven’t been able to close the gap too much – but there’s still plenty of points to be won and I’m glad to have taken a step forwards.
“Despite the highs and lows, I’m still well and truly in the hunt for the Championship and that is something that gives me huge motivation for the final six races – starting in Singapore. It’s a great place to begin the final flyaway phase of the season. The city is buzzing and the track is mega. It’s a street circuit and I love street circuits.
“I won there in 2009 which was a really special experience, plus I had a podium – which should really have been a win – at the first race in 2008. My luck hasn’t been great at this circuit since then but hopefully that will change next weekend.”
Despite losing the lead to Hamilton in Monza due to a mistake, Rosberg believes there were still plenty of reasons to be positive after the Italian Grand Prix, and is hoping to get over that result by getting back onto the top step of the podium at Singapore, a track that traditionally he has done well on in the past; the German took second while driving for the Williams team back in 2008 and has only once failed to score points around the street circuit.
“Even though it didn’t work out quite the way I’d hoped, there were still plenty of positives to take away from Monza,” reflected Rosberg. “Once again our Silver Arrow looked super quick compared to our rivals and hopefully we can carry that right through to the end of the season. Of course, I was disappointed to drop points to my team-mate in the Championship battle – but I still have the lead and I’m determined to hold on to it.
“Next up it’s the Singapore Grand Prix, which is definitely one of the highlights of the year. There’s an amazing atmosphere and the whole city really comes to life for the race weekend. It’s just unreal – I would really recommend anybody to go there if they can as it’s a fantastic experience. The circuit, the city, the atmosphere… everything! The way they basically shut down a whole place just for Formula One is incredible and it’s amazing to think of all the work that must go into making it happen.
“I got my second ever podium here with P2 in 2008 and I generally enjoy street circuits, so I’m looking to go one better this time around.”
