Rosberg aims to avoid first lap drama

Championship leader Nico Rosberg said he will wary at the start of Sunday’s Spanish grand prix, following a spate of first-corner crashes in 2016.

While the German has serenely won all four races so far this season and escaped the chaos, it is believed the issue of his rivals - notably Daniil Kvyat - making contact behind him was raised in the FIA driver briefing in Barcelona.

"I will put a bit more focus than usual on the start," Rosberg told DPA news agency in Spain.

Fellow German Nico Hulkenberg added: "There have been a few heated laps.

"But I think it was always like that. It’s just hard racing."