Rosberg tops Hamilton in Austria

Nico Rosberg has finally beaten Lewis Hamilton in straight fight in 2015.

After going at it like mad in qualifying where Hamilton came out on top, Nico drove the better race today and left his championship rival behind in what was otherwise a rather boring and uneventful race.

Kimi Raikkonen lost traction in his Ferrari in a manner eerily similar to Canada and collected Fernando Alonso’s McLaren in a terrifying accident in the opening stages of the race. The McLaren ended up on top of the Ferrari, its tea tray dangerously close to both Raikkonen’s helmet and his hands.

At the front Rosberg had better in and out laps and a better pit stop than Hamilton which allowed him to retain the lead. Victory was all but sealed when Hamilton received a 5 second time penalty for crossing the white line on pit exit.

Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel after hoping to challenge for the victory had to leave Austria disappointed. A wheel nut issue during Vettel’s pit stop saw him loose a place to William’s Felipe Massa.

By race’s end Vettel was nearly glued to Massa’s gearbox but couldn’t find a way past the Brazilian veteran who enjoyed a well earned maiden podium of 2015 at the track where he took pole position and really should have won the year before.

Rosberg has now cut Hamilton’s championship lead to a mere 10 points. Hamilton will look to strike back with authority as F1 visits his home track of Silverstone next for the British Grand Prix.

Image: Mercedes AMG F1