The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team were once more the dominant team during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, with Nico Rosberg beating Lewis Hamilton to take pole position for Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Rosberg was happy to finally take his first pole position of the season, and despite admitting the conditions were not ideal, felt he got the set-up spot on. He knows Sunday is the important day for him as he looks to take his first victory of 2015 and to close the gap to his team-mate in the championship.
“Today was a good day in the office for me,” revealed Rosberg. “The conditions were really difficult out there but, thanks to the team, we nailed the set-up and got it all together.
“I really feel great in the car this weekend and was able to improve from session to session. So now I hope to have a good start and to control it from there.
“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow and can’t wait for the race. It’s been a positive start but Sunday is where it really counts…”
Hamilton admitted his team-mate had the better day on Saturday, feeling that the balance of his car has not been to the current World Champion’s liking this weekend, but hopes to turn his fortunes around and take victory on Sunday, which would be his fourth win in five races in 2015.
“It was quite tricky out there today,” said Hamilton. “I did the best I could – but it wasn’t quite fast enough and Nico did a really good job. I think he’s been a bit more comfortable with the balance than I have so far this weekend.
“The rear was under-rotating quite a bit today, which means you have oversteer and poor traction, so I lost a lot of time in the middle sector. In the end, P2 isn’t so bad.
“Of course, being on pole makes life a bit easier but it doesn’t mean you can’t win from elsewhere on the grid. Generally speaking, the outside of the grid is cleaner here so you can usually get a good start from there.
“The main opportunities to gain places will be the start and the pit stops as it’s hard to overtake but I’ll give my best shot like always.
“Every race you do, you’re thinking about racing for the Championship and I’ll keep driving the same way I always do. It may not have been the greatest weekend so far but it’s not over yet – tomorrow is where it counts.”
