Rosberg: 'If that happens, Hamilton will send Verstappen all the way off the track'

Nico Rosberg is so far the only driver who managed to beat Lewis Hamilton. In 2016, he became world champion, at the expense of the Brit. This season, the Mercedes driver has to deal with Max Verstappen and that has been a very intense title fight so far. Nico Rosberg explains what Verstappen can capitalise on this season, to beat Hamilton.

"The weakness that Lewis has is that sometimes he loses his form and then has some moments where he loses motivation and focus. That's your chance to strike then. Then you can't make any mistakes yourself, because those are your only chances to take the points on him," explained the 2016 world champion in conversation with Ziggo Sport.

Crash in the first corner?

"He did have some luck, but he also creates his own luck. He is always there to take his chance. Max also has to start playing the mind games and if you do that well, then you really get him to falter. Max had an advantage at the start of this year because Lewis always pulled back in duels, as we saw in Imola and Barcelona. Lewis came back at Silverstone and really said there that he wouldn't let Max get past him again."

Rosberg predicts there could be some spectacle in the first corner though. "So I expect them to come through the first corner wheel to wheel today. It's possible, but if Lewis is on the inside there, he'll send Max to Amsterdam," Rosberg jokes.

The German does have one more piece of advice for Verstappen. "If Max can close the door early, if Lewis isn't next to it by then, he can do that. He'll probably put himself down like that at the start too, that also helps to see your rival. If it's too late, he still has to brake on the outside. It can be done, but it's very difficult."