Rosberg defends silent tactic in title charge

Nico Rosberg has defended his decision to charge for the 2016 title whilst shutting himself off from the world.

Bernie Ecclestone hit out at the German last week, suggesting he hopes Lewis Hamilton actually wins the title because the Briton is a better ambassador.

"I am here to win races. Not to make people happy," Rosberg has now told Bild newspaper.

Now defending a 26-point lead to Hamilton with three races to go, Rosberg’s tactics are coming under scrutiny at the end of their 2016 battle.

One example is that he admits he doesn’t even talk to his father, 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg, about his championship charge.

"We don’t talk about the championship," Rosberg told Brazil’s Globo in Mexico.

"He sends me messages telling me to have fun and give it my all until the end, but we don’t discuss it," he added.

Rosberg also says he doesn’t read about himself in the media.

When asked what his feeling is about the press, he explained: "I don’t have a feeling because it doesn’t come to me. I don’t know what people say about me, I don’t read anything in the press.

"There are good but also bad influences, so why have contact with the media? I think it’s best if I concentrate solely on my work," Rosberg added.

Rosberg’s tactic is being increasingly noticed by those in the F1 paddock.

"Nico has developed a strategy of refusing to talk about the championship," said former McLaren driver David Coulthard.

"Will he be feeling the pressure? Of course," he told the Telegraph, "but this is all these guys have ever done in their life. He grew up in a racing family and in a gifted environment. He will be in the moment."

Even Hamilton knows about Rosberg’s tactics, telling Bild: "It’s obviously something that helps him.

"Everyone has their own way of dealing with pressure, and that’s his."