attempts to become a four-time champion have been dogged

Lewis Hamilton insists Nico Rosbergs early 36-point title lead is a big deal but says he is up to the challenge as he targets his first clean weekend of 2016 in Russia. Hamiltons attempts to become a four-time champion have been dogged by problems in the opening three rounds. A combination of poor starts, collisions and reliability problems have left him closer to the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers in the standings than Rosberg, his Mercedes team-mate.Meanwhile, Rosberg is yet to be beaten on race day in 2016 and is on a run of six straight victories stretching back to last November. But, as part of a record-breaking 21-race season, 18 rounds still remain with 450 points still up for grabs.Asked if 36 points - the equivalent of a race victory and fourth-place finish - was therefore not yet a big deal in title terms, Hamilton replied: I dont look at it lightly and I dont look at it like its not a big deal, its a big deal.Its 36 points, its a lot of points, a race and a bit, and I dont take it for granted that it is a big step. However, while aware that he has significant early ground to make up, Hamilton points out he twice overhauled similar deficits to Rosberg en-route to winning the title in 2014 - the second time when there were only seven races of that season left.I know Ive got work to do, he added. I dont look at it and I think ah, its nothing but on the flip side, in a shorter period of time Ive come from 29 [points behind].Rosberg: Lewis will fight backThere are 18 races, it is an average of two points a race [to make up], so its not impossible.Hamilton downplayed a suggestion that overhauling an in-form Rosberg could prove his greatest career challenge - its one of them, but Ive been racing 23 years and theres been a lot of challenges, from the get-go, he said - but is aware his season requires an upturn.Despite the advantage of pole position at the first two rounds, Hamilton has yet to run higher than sixth at the end of an opening lap in 2016. His problems were compounded in Bahrain and China, where he started last after an engine change, by first-corner collisions with other drivers. Natalie Pinkham is joined by former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and former Williams Senior Operations Engineer Dominic Harlow to look ahead to Russia I had the best start of the whole grid in the last race. We have been working on that issue and obviously I had a good start [in China], Hamilton said.When is the Russian GP on Sky?Its just the last two races Ive been driving with a loss of performance of nearly a second in each race.But Im hoping for a clean weekend and, by a good start, hopefully move on from there.Ive still had two poles, and I didnt get to qualify in the last race, so hopefully we have another chance this weekend.Watch the whole Russian GP weekend - LIVE ONLY on Sky Sports F1. The race begins at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up from 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Also See: Rosberg expects rivals fightback When is the Russian GP on Sky? Nike Flex Shoes On Sale . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Wholesale Nike Flex Cheap . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. http://www.cheapnikeflex.com/ ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. Discount Nike Flex . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Cheap Nike Flex Shoes . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A former Vanderbilt University football player convicted of encouraging his teammates to rape an unconscious woman in 2013 is facing a minimum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.Nashville District Attorney spokesman Ken Whitehouse said Brandon Vandenburg will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Sept. 30.A jury found 23-year-old Vandenburg guilty last month on five counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated sexual battery and unlawful photography..dddddddddddd.Prosecutors said Vandenburg carried the woman into his room, passed out condoms and took video as his teammates raped her.He and Cory Batey were convicted last year, but the verdicts were tossed because a juror did not reveal he was a victim of statutory rape. They have both been convicted a second time. Two other players are awaiting trial. ' ' '