• European Grand Prix

Rosberg praises strategic call

ESPN Staff
June 24, 2012 « Grosjean thought win was possible | Maldonado hit with penalty for Hamilton clash »
Nico Rosberg slipped out of the top ten on medium tyres before a late charge © Sutton Images
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Nico Rosberg praised the strategic call made by his Mercedes team for securing him sixth place in the European Grand Prix.

Rosberg had planned to carry out a one-stop race but lost out heavily after a safety car period which saw him slip back out of the top ten at the restart due to cold tyres. As a result he was switched to a two-stop strategy late on and made up a number of positions in the closing laps - eventually setting the fastest lap as he climbed back through the field - and he thanked the team for the call.

"It felt like I was finishing 15th at one point!" Rosberg said. "I was sure, 'OK, today I'm finishing 15th'. I'm really pleased with sixth in the end because it was such a difficult race, going up and down all the time and everything, it was really quite a struggle. A great call in the end from strategy from Mr Vowel's - the guy who does the strategy in the team - because that gave me many, many positions, because I wasn't going anywhere otherwise."

Rosberg added that the heat had made the race a tough test for the drivers and the teams.

"Tyre temperatures and tyre degradation was really the key today. It's such a challenge to get it right. Driving style, set-up, everything; it's very, very difficult to do the job with that so in the end I'm pleased because six place is still many points."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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