F1 Raceweek: Rosberg in festival spirit, Raikkonen’s exit rumours ramp up

Nico Rosberg’s victory at the European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan a fortnight ago signalled a return to form after back-to-back wins for Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Here we take a look at what’s been happening in the world of Formula One ahead of this weekend’s trip to Austria.

Rosberg in the festival spirit

The Goodwood Festival of Speed afforded some drivers the chance to show off their cars and get behind the wheel of some classic motors in the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, England.

Rosberg and Hamilton were joined by McLaren’s Jenson Button at the event, while F1 greats such as Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss and Mark Webber were also in attendance.

Current championship leader Rosberg even got the chance to chat motor racing with Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, and climbed into the cockpit of his father Keke’s 1983 Williams.

#ICYMI you must see my video from @fosgoodwood!! video by @paulripke https://t.co/7Ka5hlKzB4 pic.twitter.com/xoTujj9hlK

— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) June 28, 2016

Rosberg holds 24-point lead over Hamilton at the summit of the drivers’ standings.

Mercedes relationship going swimmingly

Hamilton discussed the often-troubled relationship between himself and Rosberg, revealing a recent poolside chat between the pair.

“The other day, I was swimming in my pool — the building we live in in Monaco, there is a shared communal pool — and I guess he saw me from his apartment and came down and sat on the diving board and when I finished a few laps, we sat and talked for 20 minutes or half an hour. In a relaxed state,” he told the Daily Mail.

“We are going to have our ups and downs and there are going to be times where we hate each other and when we like each other but ultimately, when we have all retired and got kids and stuff, the respect is always going to be there.”

Rumour mill rumbles on

Williams confirmed they were in talks with a number of drivers ahead of the 2017 season, with deputy team boss Claire Williams describing 36-year-old Button as “an attractive proposition”.

Ferrari, meanwhile, stressed Kimi Raikkonen’s future is in his own hands, while Force India’s Sergio Perez – thought to be a frontrunner to replace the Finn – said “it is too early to talk about the future”.

Hey, Mr Tambourine Man

Daniel Ricciardo caused some confusion on social media this week when he posted a black-and-white picture of music icon Bob Dylan smoking.

Some of the Red Bull driver’s followers mistook the young Dylan for Ricciardo, with one asking: “How old were you at the time of the pic?”