HOCKENHEIM, Germany: Nico Rosberg said the satisfaction of claiming his first home German Grand Prix pole position on Saturday was diminished by teammate Lewis Hamilton’s horror crash.
Hamilton’s 260 kilometre per hour smash left the Briton shaken but fit to line-up Sunday when he will have to start from 15th on the grid.
Mercedes confirmed that the accident was caused by a brake failure that wrecked Hamilton’s car and his session and reduced his chances of trimming Rosberg’s four-point lead in their duel for the drivers title.
His success in qualifying gave Rosberg a 5-4 advantage in poles over Hamilton this season.
It also came in a memorable week when the 29-year-old German married his long-term girlfriend Vivian Sibold, signed a new contract with Mercedes and cheered Germany to World Cup victory.
“For now, it’s been going really well,” said Rosberg.
“Home race, to be on pole is fantastic. I would have preferred if it was an open fight with Lewis so I’m less happy as a result, but it’s still a fantastic day.
“But there are no points for qualifying and there is still a long way to go. Tomorrow, it is supposed to be a bit colder, so it should make it easier on the tyres. The weather could play a role, so I just need to take it as it comes.”
Hamilton spun into the barriers heavily at the Sachskurve when the right front brake disc of his Mercedes car failed as he attempted to slow from an estimated 260 km/h. — AFP