Mercedes’ George Russell has been ‘phenomenal’; Lewis Hamilton ‘hates shedding to team-mates’ – Nico Rosberg

Nico Rosberg has his say on the Lewis Hamilton-George Russell battle; Max Verstappen holding off Carlos Sainz in Canada; and the “tremendous spectacular” Fernando Alonso – subsequent up for F1 is the British Grand Prix with all classes stay on Sky Sports activities F1 throughout July 1-3

​​​​​Nico Rosberg says George Russell has been “phenomenal” in a attempting F1 season for Mercedes to date – however warned him that Lewis Hamilton “hates” to lose to team-mates.

Russell sits fourth within the Drivers’ Championship on 111 factors – 34 factors forward of sixth-placed Hamilton, who branded his automobile “undriveable” on Friday follow forward of final weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Russell has completed forward of fellow Brit Hamilton in seven of the 9 races this time period, with Hamilton’s podium end in Montreal the primary time he has topped Russell for the reason that opening spherical in Bahrain.

Russell additionally leads the qualifying head-to-head 5-4.

Talking on Any Pushed Monday2016 world champion and Hamilton’s former team-mate, Rosberg mentioned: “George has completed an superior job, phenomenal with how troublesome that automobile has been to drive.

“To be so constant, driving so properly, not making any errors, at all times getting the utmost out of it, he has been good.

“On Saturday, one would assume, ‘okay, maintain it secure, deliver dwelling one other P4 or P5 in qualifying’ however no. He mentioned, ‘I’m going to place my slicks on, I solely care about pole place’. That’s actually superior.

‘Hamilton delivered in Canada; Merc making progress’

“Lewis is driving at his finest. He has simply had an unbelievably unfortunate season with all these various things going in opposition to him. This was a standard weekend and he delivered within the ordinary superior manner.

“That driver pairing is so sturdy, unbelievable, however, make no mistake, Lewis hates passionately to ever come second to a team-mate, so he can be ultra-motivated and pushing exhausting internally.

“The [Mercedes] automobile within the race was actually respectable. I assumed it was so superior how George proper after the beginning made headway, passing one automobile after one other down into the hairpin.

“I believe they’re making progress however there’s nonetheless some technique to go to Ferrari and Pink Bull. They cannot win at Silverstone, they’re nonetheless too distant.”

Hamilton completed behind race winner Max Verstappen and second-placed Carlos Sainz in Canada, with championship chief and reigning world champion Verstappen warding off a late problem from Ferrari man Sainz after a security automobile, regardless of being on growing old tires.

Verstappen is now toasting back-to-back race wins after triumphing in Azerbaijan per week earlier.

Does Sainz have what it takes to be world champion?

Rosberg mentioned: “It has been a few super-impressive races from Max. He’s so assured and driving at such a formidable stage.

“He drove to perfection in troublesome circumstances in qualifying and the strain from Sainz within the race is to not be underestimated.

“Contained in the automobile it’s a horrible feeling. You’ve got completed every part completely after which due to the security automobile you abruptly have the Ferrari behind you in a triple DRS zone placing a lot strain on.

“Should you make the slightest of errors, he’s by however Max managed that so completely.

“Sainz has acquired it in him to be a very good, respectable driver inside Ferrari however for the time being he has not acquired it in him to be a world champion. On efficiency, Charles Leclerc has been outdriving him each single race this 12 months.

“He nonetheless wants to seek out fairly a little bit of progress which comes as fairly a shock after final 12 months. In fact, the automobile is totally completely different so perhaps it takes him extra time to get up to the mark.”

Rosberg: Alonso greater than deserves his seat

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso began the race in second after claiming his first entrance row in 10 years however finally completed ninth after technical points and, in line with Rosberg, questionable technique from his staff.

Nonetheless, the 40-year-old now has 4 top-10s in a row and Rosberg shrugged off any notion that the two-time world champion is taking over a youthful driver’s seat.

Rosberg mentioned of the Spaniard, who gained his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006: “I’m an enormous fan of Alonso for the time being. Everyone knows that expertise and skill-wise he is among the better of all time.

“He generally lacked that social competence – he usually had difficulties being in the very best groups with the very best automobiles. They did not actually need him anymore due to burning bridges prior to now.

“That was undoubtedly certainly one of his weaknesses when it comes to getting even higher outcomes however when it comes to expertise he’s absolutely among the finest of all time or proper up there.

“For him to nonetheless drive like that is simply so cool. I used to be so gutted for him [in Canada], I wished him to be on the rostrum. I believe Alpine did a bit of mistake, they might have taken a leap into the pit lane.

“He’s driving so awesomely there should not be any dialogue that he’s taking over anybody’s seat. He greater than deserves to be the place he’s.

“It is tremendous spectacular the best way he’s driving, the followers all around the world are loving it and he is a superb asset to the Alpine staff.”