Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg has said the team have made a ‘real turnaround’. The team put on a dismal display last time out in Valencia, but they have bounced back to score a podium position with their young driver.
“I had a good start today and was happy to be up to fourth place by the end of the first lap,” Rosberg said. “Robert [Kubica] was holding me up and with Fernando [Alonso] pushing hard behind, it wasn’t easy to maintain the place.
“Our strategy was really strong today though so thanks to the guys on the pit wall for their efforts and keeping me out on the options. I had a great lap and with the quick pit stop, it was enough to get me out ahead of Robert, and that made the podium possible.
“It’s been a good effort from the team to turn our situation around after Valencia. We have made a step forward and analysed where we went wrong and to come away with a podium today is fantastic. It’s a real turnaround and I am confident that there is more to come from us.”
Mercedes’ other driver Michael Schumacher did not have such a successful Grand Prix, finishing in 9th position, in a race hindered by traffic. The seven-time F1 champ is looking to bounce back at his home Grand Prix in Germany in two weeks time.
“Again a race which I am not really happy about today,” Schumacher lamented. “It was ok and seeing Nico on the podium is good for the team but my race was obviously less rewarding.
“I was in traffic for most of the race and did not really have a clear track. After the pit stop where I had to push really hard to make it in front of Rubens, I unfortunately made a mistake out of a slow corner which put me off the track. That cost me a lot of time plus two positions and that was it for today. ”
We now look towards Hockenheim where we obviously will do everything to perform in the best possible way.”
Mercedes GP team principal, Ross Brawn and vice-president of Mercedes Motorsport Norbert Haug meanwhile were delighted to see Rosberg on the podium.
“That was a very good performance from Nico today,” said Brawn. “Nico had a great race and we got the maximum out of the car with a strong start, good strategy and impressive driving. Nico pushed as hard as he needed to and produced some great laps at the crucial time so his race went perfectly.”
Haug added: “A great race from Nico and the team. Starting from fifth position, Nico came home in third place to finish on the podium for the third time in the last eight races. Our performance this weekend looked better than a fortnight ago in Valencia.
“I am very happy that the team has achieved a podium finish at our home race and this fits perfectly with the BBQ that we have this evening with all our team members in Brackley.”
