Rosberg plays down importance of next race

The power in the race for this seasons Formula One World Championship could shift this weekend.

After qualifying at Silverstone Nico Rosberg would not have expected the situation he now finds himself in.

After a Q3 blunder from his team-mate he had literally been handed pole position, whilst Hamilton had to start down in sixth place.

The most likely result looked to be another one-two finish with Rosberg taking victory.

That result would have left Rosberg on 190 points, with Hamilton trailing on 154 points and a gap of 36 points would have been taken into this weekend in Germany.

But instead, approaching the half way point of the season the gap is just 4 points with Rosberg on 165 points and Hamilton 161.

The dramatic turn of events followed a gear box failure for race leader Rosberg, the Germans first retirement of the season.

Following the race Rosberg first enjoyed a test session with Mercedes, then got married and has celebrated Germany winning the Football World Cup.

But with a 7 point difference between a race win and finishing second, it could be Hamilton leading the championship for only the second time this season with a win at Mercedes home race at Hockenheim.

?I look forward to the race here now. It?s my second home race ? I have Monaco and here ? and so I?m very fortunate in that sense. So I look forward to the support and really hope to do a fantastic job and it would an amazing end to the already great times I?ve been having recently if I could win here at the German Grand Prix.?

?I just see it as the next race, which is Hockenheim,?

?It?s our home race so I really look forward to driving here and I?m here to win of course and extend the championship lead. That?s where it ends for me. I?m really just looking it at the moment and just taking it race-by-race.? he told the drivers press conference.