Nico Rosberg: “The start will be important”

A year ago, Nico Rosberg found himself in the same pole position at a press conference at Suzuka in Japan, before seeing Lewis Hamilton steal the show the next day at the start of the race.

A situation that the leader of the general classification has fully understood before the Grand Prix tomorrow. “Everything must come together in this moment. The departure will be very important. We saw throughout the weekend that with this track which is downhill and with a little less grip than expected, it would not be so simple. Tire management will also be important at each of the relays. »

Despite this possible scenario, Rosberg did not tremble in Q3 against his teammate Hamilton, who was the fastest by 195 thousandths after the first attempts. At the end of a final effort, Rosberg finally beat the World Champion by 13 thousandths, a gap measured on the track by Mercedes equivalent to… 82 millimeters.

“The balance of the car is good, comments the pole sitter. I feel good and comfortable. It is thanks to this that I can accomplish such a trick in the end. I remain very satisfied. »