After a pair of disappointing races which have seen his championship lead dwindle, Nico Rosberg needed a good race in Baku – and on Saturday he set himself up for one by securing his third pole position of the season. But the German knows the hard work is still to come – even with team mate Lewis Hamilton starting back in tenth…
Q: Was pole position even more satisfying after what happened to Lewis?
NR: No, it didn’t add anything to my satisfaction - but yes, I am very happy to start from pole! And happy that my direct opponent is a bit further back because that is going to make it easier for me in the race. Or not easier - that’s the wrong word because trying to win a race is never easy and the opposition is still pretty tough with Ricciardo and the Ferraris - and of course from Lewis starting from P10. He has shown lately that coming from the back is what he can do really well, so I expect him to do just this in the race.
Q: Nico, can you understand why your ‘direct opponent’ [Hamilton] would not do a track walk or not do more than eight laps in the simulator to prepare for a new circuit?
NR: First of all: I didn’t know that he hasn’t done a track walk and that he’s only done a few laps in the simulator. Everybody has their own approach - and obviously this approach works for him. He is a three-time world champion so he must be doing something right! So who is qualified to criticise his approach. My approach is different - so what do you make out of that?
Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes-Benz F1 W07 Hybrid at Formula One World Championship, Rd8, European Grand Prix, Qualifying, Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday 18 June 2016.
The biggest issue will be the mess that the race could turn into. So staying out of the mess and not losing the rhythm will be a challenge.
Nico Rosberg on his race chances
Q: The race starts at 5pm local time and we noticed today that the sun is already pretty low. Is that a worry?
NR: I didn’t even notice it. So obviously it is not.
Q: This track holds some surprises and difficult parts. What’s the trickiest for you?
NR: I guess it is turn fifteen. You are braking and during your braking the track falls away and changes direction.
Q: What about the tyre management? All predictions point to multiple safety car phases?
NR: I don’t think it is the tyre management that will be the biggest issue - but the mess that the race could turn into. So staying out of the mess and not losing the rhythm will be a challenge.
Q: In Monaco you had braking issues. Is that something that you also expect here?
NR: No, because in Monaco the brakes were in a completely different window than here! The brake issues there were specifically Monaco related.
Q: The last two race wins have gone to your ‘direct opponent’. After today’s pole position is there the need to convert it to a race win tomorrow?
NR: It is not imperative - but it would be great. I would love to win the race tomorrow. And I don’t think too far beyond of that. The best approach is always to concentrate on the obvious - and that is going for the win!
