Nico Rosberg slams his critics who suggest he does not deserve to wear the Formula One crown
The Mercedes driver can win the title on Sunday in the Mexico Grand Prix and has brushed off suggestions he would not be a worth champion
NICO ROSBERG has lashed out at his critics who suggest he is only leading the world championship because of Lewis Hamilton's mechanical woes.
Hamilton has been plagued by problems all season costing him valuable points, none more so than when he retired when leading the Malaysian GP with an engine-blow.
While Hamilton has suffered bad luck, Rosberg has been largely untroubled all season and can clinch the title this weekend in Mexico if he wins and Hamilton is 10th or lower.
But the German, who has won nine races this season, says it is rubbish to suggest he does not deserve to win his maiden world title.
He said: "You are talking about what other people think and that's their opinions. I am here to win races and not please everybody out there.
"There are always going to be people who have opinions going against me. That is the nature of the business. It is always going to be like that. I like to focus on the people that support me.
"I am well aware that I can win the title here. It has been a great season so far, which has put me in this position. It is exciting to be in this championship battle with Lewis. We have been there before. It is very cool.
"But my way of achieving the best possible performance is focusing on things that are in my control and that is here in Mexico trying to win the race."
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Last week at the United States Grand Prix, there were reports stating that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had labeled Rosberg as "boring".
However, Rosberg says he privately sought clarification from the 85-year-old over his outspoken comments and added: "I spoke to him personally and he said that is not exactly the way he said it."
SunSport has now seen a transcript of the interview in while Ecclestone actually PRAISES Hamilton's rival.
Ecclestone said: "If Nico wins, it will be a new champion and he will hopefully be doing good things because I think if Lewis wins again, he won't do any different to what he's doing now, probably less."
However, Rosberg has hit back at Ecclestone's bonkers plan to build 40cm walls around the tracks to increase the risk of crashes.
He added: "My opinion is that there are 10 other areas to look at before we start looking at turning back time on safety."
Meanwhile, Williams are set to confirm that Lance Stroll will partner Valtteri Bottas next season as SunSport told you last week.
The Grove based team have called a press conference next Thursday at their Oxfordshire HQ -- just days after Stroll turns 18, presumably due to their title sponsorship with Martini.