Singapore GP: Nico Rosberg rues change of brakes in qualifying

The current Formula 1 world championship leader was beaten to pole by Mercedes team-mate and 2014 F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton by just 0.007 seconds.

Rosberg had been quickest in Q2, but required two runs to get there, whereas the other frontrunners stayed in the pits after their first outings.

He jumped to the top in the closing seconds of Q3, only for Hamilton to narrowly deny him moments later.

"We changed brakes going into qualifying and I got into a rhythm with the other brakes, so that was a challenge," said Rosberg.

"We expected it to be, but it took me some time to get into qualifying, and the balance difference as the track had cooled down.

"I had to completely adapt to the setting and it took me some time to get into the car."

When Rosberg was informed by engineer Tony Ross that Hamilton had beaten him by such a tight margin, he responded by loudly exclaiming "damn it!" - an outburst he found amusing when questioned about it following the session.

"Seven thousandths, when I think back to the lap, is nothing," said Rosberg.

"A bit more here or there and I could have done it.

"Lewis did a good job to get pole, so fair play. Second place is OK, first place would be better, there's a long race ahead and it is fine."

The German also believes he is in good shape to handle the tyre degradation that it expected to play a decisive role in the race.

"They have a lot of degradation but I am confident because I had some good long runs yesterday," Rosberg said.

"I'm well prepared and feeling good about it."