Nico Rosberg: I have psychological edge over Lewis Hamilton

Nico Rosberg believes he now has the psychological edge over Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton after opening up a 22-point lead in the title race.

Britain’s Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, won four races in a row to take the championship lead off Rosberg.

However, his team-mate reclaimed the advantage with victory in Monaco, and second in Canada as Hamilton retired.

“It was really important to bring that run to an end because psychology is a big part of sports,” said Rosberg.

Hamilton bounced back from a mechanical retirement in the season opener in Australia to win four races in a row and take the championship lead from Rosberg.

But the German reclaimed the advantage in controversial circumstances in Monaco with Rosberg leaving the track in qualifying and denying Hamilton the chance of claiming pole position for the race, which the German went on to win.

Rosberg then extended his lead last time out Canada by finishing second with Hamilton retiring with rear brake failure.

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