German has put events of Shanghai behind him, but stands by his comments with battle with Hamilton poised to resume in Bahrain
Tuesday 21 April 2015 12:58, UK
Nico Rosberg says he heads “to Bahrain with a clean sheet” after putting to bed the events of Shanghai last weekend.
The German vented his frustrations following the race as he felt his pace had been compromised by Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton driving too slowly at the head of the field.
However, having resolved the issue, Rosberg is now focusing on the positive of being within a whisker of pole position in China as he looks to reignite his season.
“It is quite simple in my mind at the moment. I really have put Shanghai behind and whatever was before that and I am just going to Bahrain with a clean sheet and all the opportunities,” he told Sky Sports News HQ.
“It was four hundredths in Shanghai so the pace is there, I just need to tickle that extra bit out of it and then I can make it happen. That is what I am focusing on, it is very simple, Bahrain, make the most of it, head down, continue to work well with my engineers, with the team to really have a good weekend.”
Having had time to reflect, Rosberg stands by his comments in China, but says that the situation has now been resolved.
“I said what I felt and now it is a thing of the past,” he added.
“We did discuss it which was important, it was important to go through it in detail and now it is behind us. I have had some great days in Dubai on holidays and I think it is a great moment now coming to Bahrain with this car – the opportunity is there. I need to try and turn it around, of course I said that two races ago and didn’t manage that yet and Bahrain is another opportunity.”
Having spent the winter working on improving his driving, including his breathing mid-corner, Rosberg feels he is driving at a higher standard than in 2014, but admits Hamilton has also improved.
“I am a better driver than last year definitely – unfortunately it seems that Lewis as well is a better driver, that is not ideal.
“It is difficult to say who is at their peak when, of course Lewis is a great driver, one of the best on the grid and a very tough opponent which is an awesome challenge for me. That is what I love about the sport, these sort of challenges to really go up against it and try to extract 110 per cent."
