Nico Rosberg completed a “fantastic weekend” to put himself firmly in the title picture as he took his first win of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The German had struggled to get close to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the opening four races of the year, but was back to his best in Barcelona, winning from pole to close to 20 points behind the reigning champion.

Rosberg came home 17.5 seconds clear of Hamilton, with Sebastian Vettel third in his Ferrari.

Valtteri Bottas was fourth for Grove-based Williams, with teammate Felipe Massa sixth.

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Romain Grosjean picked up points for Lotus, from Enstone, by finishing eighth, but teammate Pastor Maldonado retired after 44 laps.

Rosberg said: “It was just a fantastic weekend.

“Everything worked out on Saturday and Sunday. It all came together. I’m very happy and that is it.

“It is seven points (more than Hamilton) and at one point I thought maybe Sebastian can keep Lewis behind, which on one side isn’t good for the team, but in terms of my points it would have been better.

“Everyone brought upgrades here, but still we’re dominating.”

Result: 1 N Rosberg (Mercedes) 1hr 41mins 12.555secs; 2 L Hamilton (Mercedes) +17.511secs; 3 S Vettel (Ferrari) +45.342; 4 V Bottas (Williams) +59.217; 5 K Raikkonen (Ferrari) +1min 0.002secs; 6 F Massa (Williams) +1.21.314; 7 D Ricciardo (Red Bull) lapped; 8 R Grosjean (Lotus) lapped; 9 C Sainz Jnr (Toro Rosso) lapped; 10 D Kyvat (Red Bull) lapped. Other local team’s drivers: P Maldonado (Lotus) retired 44 laps.

Drivers’ standings (top eight): 1 L Hamilton 111pts; 2 N Rosberg 91; 3 S Vettel 80; 4 K Raikkonen 52; 5 V Bottas 42; 6 F Massa 39; 7 D Ricciardo 25; 8 R Grosjean 16.

Constructors’ standings (top six): 1 Mercedes 202; 2 Ferrari 132; 3 Williams 81; 4 Red Bull 30; 5 Sauber 19; 6 Lotus 16.