Lewis Hamilton bullish over Nico Rosberg threat despite German turning up title …

Nico Rosberg was quicker than Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton
The German held a 0.070secs advantage over team-mate in first session
The Ferrari pair of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen best of the rest
CLICK HERE for all the build-up to the Spanish Grand Prix

Mark Bryans, Press Association

Published:
23:51 GMT, 8 May 2015

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Updated:
23:51 GMT, 8 May 2015

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Lewis Hamilton has shrugged off Nico Rosberg’s threat that he is feeling back to his best – insisting that is still not good enough to beat him.

Reigning world champion Hamilton has enjoyed a fine start to his title defence, winning three of the opening four races and finishing second to Sebastian Vettel in Malaysia.

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the second practice session for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix

Hamilton was fastest ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the second practice session of the day in Barcelona

That gives him a 27-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Rosberg – the man with whom he was enveloped in a bitter title tussle for much of 2014.

Hamilton came out on top in that battle and the Brit is not worried by Rosberg’s suggestion he is ready to get his 2015 campaign on track with a strong showing at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton and Kris Jenner pose for Met Gala 2015…

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When asked what he thought of Rosberg saying he was boosted and ready to put together a perfect weekend, Hamilton bullishly replied: ‘If he is saying he brought his best game last year then I don’t really have too much to worry about.’

Although he has so far dominated the 2015 campaign, Hamilton insists he still has work to do – although he enjoyed the three-week gap between his win in Bahrain and the fifth round in Barcelona.

Nico Rosberg is pictured leaving the pit-lane during opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix

The German goes through his normal pre-match routine ahead of Friday’s opening practice session

The 30-year-old racked up over 17,000 miles as he took in a New York fashion event and the Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas among a host of activities during his down-time – with trips to Los Angeles, Rome, Majorca and London also ticked off before he flew out to Spain.

‘I wouldn’t call it having it my own way, I’m just doing the best with what I have,’ he said of his season so far.

‘I’m really enjoying travel more than ever. I don’t think I ever enjoyed it as much as I do now.

Lewis Hamilton was pipped by Rosberg in the opening practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya

Lewis Hamilton and Kris Jenner pose for Met Gala 2015…

Sebastian Vettel thinks Ferrari will soon be able to match…

Lewis Hamilton drives Mercedes cars with Sir Stirling Moss…

Spanish Grand Prix holds no fears for Fernando Alonso…

FIRST PRACTICE SESSION: SPANISH GRAND PRIX

1. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 1:26.828

2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:26.898

3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 1:27.806

4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1:27.832

5. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso – Renault 1:28.132

6. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso – Renault 1:28.529

7. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) Red Bull – Renault 1:28.785

8. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 1:28.831

9. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull – Renault 1:29.075

10. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber – Ferrari 1:29.140

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) Force India – Mercedes 1:29.409

12. Raffaele Marciello (Italy) Sauber – Ferrari 1:29.630

13. Jolyon Palmer (Britain) Lotus – Mercedes 1:29.676

14. Susie Wolff (Britain) Williams-Mercedes 1:29.708

15. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 1:29.813

16. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 1:29.817

17. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India – Mercedes 1:30.096

18. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus – Mercedes 1:30.110

19. Will Stevens (Britain) Marussia – Ferrari 1:32.471

20. Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia – Ferrari 1:32.647

‘I like going to different places and spending a lot of time with my brother and this has been the best year so far for us in terms of spending time together.

‘We are both doing our jobs to the best we can do them but our relationship is stronger than ever.’

With Hamilton at ease both in the car and out, his rivals could be dealt another blow if he takes the chequered flag at the Circuit de Catalunya.

He was within a tenth of a second of Rosberg as the German topped the timesheet after free practice one but was untouchable in the afternoon session – clocking a time 0.408 seconds faster than second-placed Vettel.