Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Nico Rosberg says his F1 race pace weaknesses from 2014 are solved

Nico Rosberg believes his recent grand prix victories prove he has conquered the race-pace shortcomings that contributed to Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton beating him to the 2014 Formula 1 title

Although Rosberg had the superior qualifying record last year, with 11 poles to Hamilton's seven, in the races their form was reversed - Hamilton taking 11 victories and Rosberg just five.

With three wins from the last four grands prix including this weekend's Austrian event, Rosberg believes his Sunday troubles are now sorted.

"I had a good start and then good pace in the race - that is what I'm most happy about," said Rosberg, who jumped polesitter Hamilton off the line at the Red Bull Ring then controlled the race.

"I think I have found what I needed to find last year in terms of in the races and that's what is really working out for me this year."

Rosberg expressed concern over the radio about a vibration in the closing stages of the race but said it was not as severe as he had feared.

"It was just vibrations picking up on the right front," he said.

"I was just telling them to keep an eye on it but it was fine in the end, it just came from tyre wear."

Hamilton was trailing Rosberg even before picking up a five-second time penalty for crossing the pitlane exit line following his sole stop - a punishment he was dubious about.

"I don't think I went over anything, to be honest," said Hamilton.

He also suspected a technical issue contributed to him losing the lead at the start.

"I had a problem with the revs," he said.

"I took my foot off the gas and the throttle was still on.

"It was not the best way to start the race but it is something we will work on to improve on my side of the garage."

The Austrian GP result leaves Hamilton with a 10-point advantage over Rosberg in the world championship.

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Austrian GP: Nico Rosberg beats Lewis Hamilton to F1 victory
Next article Austrian GP crash with Kimi Raikkonen 'strange' - Fernando Alonso

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe