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Rosberg celebrates new deal by going quickest, Hamilton out

Mark MeadowsJuly 22, 2016

Nico Rosberg penned a new Mercedes deal and then went fastest in second practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton was quickest in the first session but then crashed out.

https://p.dw.com/p/1JUI8
Ungarn Mercedes Grand Prix, Formel 1 GP
Image: picture-alliance/mspb/T. Melzer

An eventful day in Budapest with Rosberg first signing a new Mercedes deal until 2018 despite the frictions with team mate Hamilton and then topping the time sheets in second practice.

The German was given a clear run, however, after Hamilton crashed into a barrier and was ruled out of the rest of the second session. The British world champion was fine but Mercedes said his car needed work.

Hamilton, who is just one point behind championship leader Rosberg after a resurgence in recent weeks, had been fastest in first practice.

Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th in the 21-race F1 season, will not be easy for the Mercedes duo with the otherwise dominant Silver Arrows failing to win at the idiosyncratic Hungaroring in the past two seasons.

Triple champion Hamilton will hope there are no major issues with his car for Saturday qualifying following his crash.

Rosberg's new contract mean both drivers are now contracted to Mercedes for a further two years. The 31-year-old had been linked in the media with a possible move away after a series of run-ins with Hamilton including a collision on the final lap of this month's Austrian Grand Prix.