Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Hockenheim

Nico Rosberg could not have chosen a better time to produce probably the best lap of his season and one he described as one of the best of his career to take pole position. 

Seven days ago, he lost the world championship lead to Lewis Hamilton for the first time this season. He needed to respond, and he did so in a highly impressive manner. 

Rosberg had appeared to be in control of the weekend after setting the pace in all three practice sessions, but as is so often the case, Hamilton had more in his locker when it mattered and topped both Q1 and Q2. 

Then Rosberg had to abort his first qualifying lap when his engine cut out. He fuelled for three laps, but the first one did the job, supplanting Hamilton’s fastest to that point. Hamilton had the pace, but made a hash of his final lap, and pole at his home race was Rosberg’s. 

It sets up an enticing prospect in the race. 

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton was in a sultry mood after Nico Rosberg secured pole position on Saturday, and not because he felt he had been a victim of injustice.

The reigning world champion has had more than his fair share of reliability problems and misfortune this season, but in qualifying yesterday he was beaten fair and square.

It was, as Rosberg described it himself, one of the best pole laps of his career.

He may now need the best race of his career to keep a hungry Hamilton at bay, and snatch back the championship lead...