Updated

Formula One series leader Nico Rosberg put a brave face on his disappointment Sunday after being forced to retire for the first time this year while leading the British Grand Prix.

Rosberg was hit by gearbox problems which caused him to abandon his race after 29 laps as Mercedes team-mate and title rival Briton Lewis Hamilton won to cut the German's championship lead to four points.

Rosberg, who had finished on the podium in one of the first two places in all eight previous races, said: "It's definitely disappointing as it is a lot of lost points.

"I felt something before the start and then around lap 21. When I got the problem, I thought I'd go into some safety setting and get it to the end of the race even if I let Lewis by — but it wasn't possible."

Rosberg remained at the circuit and with the team to cheer Hamilton to victory.