Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

How a record 10th WRC title bid was reignited after Ogier vs Neuville epic

Feature
WRC
Rally Greece
How a record 10th WRC title bid was reignited after Ogier vs Neuville epic

How Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1

Feature
Formula 1
British GP
How Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1

Why Verstappen burst out laughing during British GP simulator runs

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Why Verstappen burst out laughing during British GP simulator runs

Marquez held 'informal talks' with Honda before committing to Ducati

MotoGP
Marquez held 'informal talks' with Honda before committing to Ducati

How Russell resorted to "abnormal" driving style to win F1 Austrian GP

Formula 1
Austrian GP
How Russell resorted to "abnormal" driving style to win F1 Austrian GP

Five things we learned from MotoGP’s action-packed Dutch GP

Feature
MotoGP
Dutch GP
Five things we learned from MotoGP’s action-packed Dutch GP

Austrian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2026

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Austrian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2026

Mercedes boss questions Ferrari's "limitless" F1 upgrades amid budget cap era

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Mercedes boss questions Ferrari's "limitless" F1 upgrades amid budget cap era

Belgian F1 GP: Nico Rosberg not reassured over tyres after blowout

Mercedes Formula 1 drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton remain concerned about the possibility of tyre problems in the Belgian Grand Prix despite Pirelli's reassurance over Rosberg's Friday practice blowout

Rosberg was pitched into a high-speed spin on the approach to Blanchimont in Friday afternoon F1 practice at Spa when a rear tyre burst.

After a detailed investigation, Pirelli concluded that it was the result of an external object - such as a piece of debris - cutting the tyre rather than any form of structural failure.

But after qualifying second to team-mate Hamilton, Rosberg said he was not completely reassured.

"The problem is that we don't really understand it," he said.

"There are theories but there is no real evidence, so that's a bit worrying for sure.

"We're keeping a very close eye on it and we've done some measures to make sure it doesn't happen again.

"We'll just do the best we can and hope it all stays together."

Hamilton added he was unsure what would happen with tyre wear, regardless of any potential for a repeat of Rosberg's drama.

"The tyres are an unknown from a degradation point of view, but also we've seen Nico's issue yesterday, who knows what will happen in the race?" he said.

HAMILTON: MIDDLE SECTOR CONQUERED

World champion Hamilton clinched the FIA's 2015 pole trophy in Spa qualifying as he claimed his 10th pole in 11 grands prix.

Although it was his fourth pole at Spa, he said it was the first time he had truly mastered the middle sector - where the majority of his 0.450-second margin over Rosberg was established.

"Sector two has been probably in the past a bit of a weak point," Hamilton admitted.

"I knew the lines but could never really put the corners together.

"Definitely on those last two laps that was a very, very strong area for me."

Rosberg had the edge on Hamilton during Friday practice but conceded he had no answer for his team-mate in qualifying.

"I lost a little bit this morning in free practice, we went the wrong way," said Rosberg.

"Then it came back really nicely and I had a good balance in qualifying.

"Lewis was just too quick in the end. He found quite a lot extra which I didn't have in my pocket."

Previous article Belgian F1 GP: Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton extends pole streak at Spa
Next article Belgian F1 GP: McLaren's Button and Alonso resigned to lonely race

Top Comments

Latest news