Hamilton focused for Canada despite Rosberg rift

Following the fallout from the Monaco Grand Prix, of Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Montreal takes centre stage for the Canadian edition of the Formula One circuit.

The team have insisted there is no rift within the camp, sentiments that have also been echoed by Hamilton, odds-on at 4/9 to win the race, who posted to his Twitter account.

“Today we spoke and we’re cool, still friends #noproblem.”

He also said: “We’ve been friends a long time. As friends we have our ups and downs.”

The 2008 champion Brit, who trails his teammate by four points in the standings, has declared, though, that he does want a fair fight with the German. Rosberg was alleged to have parked his car deliberately in qualifying, which prevented Hamilton gaining a better grid position.

Asked if he thought Rosberg, who is 2/1 to claim a second victory in a row, had hamstrung him deliberately he said: “Look, man. The weekend’s done and dusted. We’ve got a one-two for the team. Let’s just focus on moving forward. I plan to be stronger in the next race.

“We’ve sat down and cleared whatever air was needed to be cleared. We’ve been through the data and seen what needed to be seen. I wish you guys could see it. Otherwise, we’re good,” continued Hamilton, odds-on at 2/5 to win the Drivers Championship.

“It was a difficult weekend but what doesn’t break you will make you stronger. I can only get stronger for this weekend, I think.”

Elsewhere, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has fired a warning shot to his rivals ahead of the race, claiming that he will not retire until another title triumph is on his resume.

At 40/1 to win in Canada, and 5/2 for a podium finish, he is surprisingly the fifth favourite, however the Spaniard has endured a difficult season so far with the Italian outfit.

Back-to-back champion in 2005 and 2006, Alonso has also finished second to Sebastien Vettel in three of the last four seasons, although he is playing a patient game.

“We are still hungry for success, waiting for our opportunity to become champion.