Rosberg: Fifth the best possible result

"It was extremely tough out there but we achieved the best possible result for us today," said the Mercedes driver, who had started from seventh position.

"Our aim for the last few races is to finish as the best behind the top three teams and today we were able to profit as two of them had issues with Felipe in qualifying yesterday and Lewis in the race today.

"So fifth place is good for us and it's very satisfying for the team. I could push Jenson a little at some points which was good to see. We will be aiming to finish the rest of the season as strongly."

Team-mate Michael Schumacher, on the other hand, endured a race to forget after making contact with two rivals during the event.

The seven-time champion was first hit by Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi and then he hit the Japanese driver's team-mate Nick Heidfeld when trying to overtake.

Schumacher finished down in 13th position.

"I am not particularly happy about my first experience of racing in Singapore this evening," Schumacher said. "I had two encounters with other cars which were racing incidents and meant that I had to make my stops at times which were not ideal and consequently my race was heavily compromised.

"I suffered with the rear tyres on my first set of options which made me slide rather than drive through corners which was tough, so I would probably say that I only enjoyed the second part of the race."