Nico Rosberg increased his lead in the drivers’ championship when he returned to winning ways with a smoothly comfortable lights-to-flag victory for Mercedes in European Grand Prix. The 30-year-old German, who had seen his advantage cut to nine points after three poor races, came home comfortably clear of second-placed compatriot Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. His Mercedes team-mate and defending champion Lewis Hamilton came home a frustrated fifth after a race dogged by technical problems on the tricky new Baku street circuit as Azerbaijan hosted its maiden Formula One race.

After two successive wins had lifted him back into contention for a fourth title, Hamilton slipped back to 24 points behind Rosberg whose return to form brought him a 19th career victory. Rosberg now has 141 points in the title race and Hamilton 117.

Did You Know?

• Nico Erik Rosberg (born 27 June 1985) is a German Formula One driver for Mercedes Formula One team.
• Born in Germany as the son of Finnish former world champion Keke Rosberg, he races under the German flag in Formula One, but has also briefly competed for Finland in early stages of his racing career.
• For the 2010 Formula One season, Rosberg joined the re-branded Mercedes team, formed by Mercedes’s takeover of 2009 constructors’ champions Brawn GP.
• Since then, Rosberg has enjoyed his most successful period, winning 19 Grands Prix and earning 25 pole positions.