Nico Rosberg has admitted it was wrong for him and his Mercedes to try to one-stop in the European Grand Prix
Nico Rosberg believes it was wrong for him to try to go for a one-stop strategy in the European Grand Prix at Valencia
The German was one of a few drivers who started the race with the idea of pitting just once, but the high tyre degradation made it impossible and Rosberg dropped down the order.
Eventually, Mercedes decided to call him in to put new tyres on near the end of the race, and Rosberg charged back to sixth position setting the race's fastest lap in the process.
"The first lap didn't go to plan and I just lost a lot of places, so that was really not ideal," said Rosberg in a video blog after the race. "But still, we had planned a one stop (strategy) so I was still very hopeful and I thought it could go really well.
"But it became quite clear soon that one stop wasn't going to work.
"There was no way. We were miles off. Then the safety car came at the absolute wrong time for me. Restarting after the safety car I had really worn tyres and I couldn't get the temperature back again, and I lost a lot of places.
"In the end it was a great strategy call from the team to call me in and put some new options on because then I was flying and I made up a lot of positions. In two laps I took like four or five guys and finished sixth, which is a decent result in the end."
Despite his disappointing race, Rosberg is still convinced Mercedes has the car to win again this year following his maiden victory in China.
"I want to win a race again soon and we have the car to do it, so we are pushing for that," he said.
And the German said he believes that Formula 1's current mixed up nature is great for fans and drivers after yet another thrilling race, despite criticism from some quarters that the sport is too random at the moment.
"I'm sure it was a spectacular race with so much happening," he said. "A lot of people are saying F1 is too random, but I think it's great. Great for racing, and the same people are still winning.
"The picture is becoming clearer on who is going to be favourite for the championship, so I think it's not completely random. It's just very exciting."
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