• Turkish Grand Prix

Rosberg endures early tyre issues

ESPNF1 Staff
May 8, 2011 « Schumacher accepts blame for Petrov clash | »
Nico Rosberg got a good start to pressure Sebastian Vettel in to turn one © Getty Images
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Nico Rosberg says strategy helped him recover from a poor first stint with tyres as he finished fifth in the Turkish Grand Prix.

Mercedes had hoped to challenge for the race victory and Rosberg's chances were enhanced when he beat Mark Webber off the line in to second place. However, from that point on his pace was uncompetitive as he slipped back on his first set of tyres, and Rosberg admitted he had to be pleased with how the strategy allowed him to climb back up to a solid points-scoring position.

"My start today was fantastic to overtake Mark and be running in second place on the first lap," Rosberg said. "But from there I was struggling with my tyres on the first stint. Our strategy worked out well to bring me back into a decent position so we can be reasonably satisfied, and I'm happy to be in front of Jenson [Button] and just a few seconds behind Lewis [Hamilton] in the McLarens."

Rosberg also said that the team would have to look in to the reasons behind the differences in qualifying and race pace, but that Mercedes were still making progress. "There is still a gap to the top but we have continued to improve the car this weekend. We don't know exactly why we are better in qualifying than in the race but we will work on this. Overall I had another good weekend and I'm looking forward to Barcelona."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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