APRIL 19, 2016

Rosberg not thinking about new contract says Lauda

Championship leader Nico Rosberg and Mercedes have played down rising speculation about the German driver's expiring contract.

Reports have suggested Rosberg is on pole position for a new deal beyond 2016, given his six straight wins.

But Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told Bild newspaper in Berlin: "Nico is not thinking about a new contract.

"He is currently so strong that while the topic interests the media, for a driver it is nothing," he said.

Rosberg agreed: "This is currently not an issue for me. But I do want to continue for many years here (at Mercedes), that's clear."

Some reports have said Mercedes will want to quickly secure a deal with the on-form 30-year-old, but former F1 driver Marc Surer is not so sure.

"Mercedes is still in the best bargaining position," he said, "because all other options for Nico are worse. And without a new contract in his pocket, a driver goes hungry."

(GMM)