Mercedes boss expects Lewis Hamilton to quickly close the gap
Monday 18 April 2016 11:51, UK
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed suggestions Nico Rosberg is the title favourite and tipped Lewis Hamilton to quickly close the gap.
Rosberg has won all three of 2016's grands prix thus far and opened up a 36-point advantage at the top of the drivers' championship after victory in Shanghai where Hamilton finished seventh.
However, with a record 21 races this year, Wolff insists the title fight is far from over with 18 grands prix still to come.
Asked if Rosberg was the favourite, the Austrian replied: "No. It is just three out of 21, so statistically there is so much more to come that you can't speak about any favourite.
"At this stage of the season it's about collecting points without looking at the championship.
"Lewis has every reason to be upset about the result. He wouldn't be a three-time world champion if that didn't upset him, but I have no doubt he will make a quick recovery.
"The gap is substantial but it is very early days. He is mentally very strong so I have no doubt that it will be close at the end."
Next up, F1 heads to Russia where Hamilton boasts a 100 per cent record having won both previous races at the Sochi Autodrom.
Don't miss the F1 Report on Wednesday at 8:30pm on Sky Sports F1 for full analysis of an action-packed Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. Natalie Pinkham is joined in the studio by Marc Priestley and Alex Lynn.
