Home F1 win for German Rosberg

Nico Rosberg won his home German Grand Prix for Mercedes to stretch his overall lead in the Formula One championship to 14 points.

Lewis Hamilton, his teammate and only real title rival, finished third after starting in 20th place and then charging through the field on an overcast afternoon that threatened rain without delivering.

Finland’s Valtteri Bottas took second place for Williams, his third podium finish in a row, after Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa crashed at the start in a collision that brought out the safety car.

Rosberg‘s win was the first for a works Mercedes team in Germany since Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954 and his fourth victory of the season.

“It’s an amazing feeling to win at home. It’s a very special day,” said Rosberg, who led throughout to become the first German to triumph at Hockenheim since Michael Schumacher won in 2006.

There was a collision at the first corner between Kevin Magnussen’s McLaren and Felipe Massa’s Williams, which flipped over and slid across the run-off area in a shower of sparks.

“I’m okay. The accident was a little bit more scary watching than being inside. I just saw everything the other way around, but I am fine,” Massa said. “I am so disappointed at what happened. It’s another race and another car that has pushed me out and finished my race. With a car that that is very competitive and fast that’s so disappointing.” 

Drivers table (Top-5)

1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes 190
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 176
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 106
4. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari 97
5. Valtteri Bottas, Williams 91

Constructors table (Top-5)

1. Mercedes 366
2. RedBull – Renault 188
3. Williams-Mercedes 121
4. Ferrari 116
5. Force India – Mercedes 98