Nico Rosberg celebrates after taking second place in Monte Carlo - Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG Petronas
Nico Rosberg said that he was ‘more than happy’ after taking second place in today’s Monaco Grand Prix, despite the fact that he was only 0.6 seconds behind leader Mark Webber at the end of the race.
Unfortunately for his Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher, who revealed that he had been secretly hoping for a podium today, a fuel pressure problem brought his race to a premature end.
Rosberg has now scored 59 points from the last four races – more than any other driver in the field.
It’s a fantastic feeling to be on the podium at my home race in Monaco today in front of all my family and friends,” he said. “The team have done a really good job this weekend to get the car working so well. Although we thought this track would suit our car, it’s been better than we expected.
“I had a clean start but Mark drove a very controlled race today. I could keep in touch with him but we all know how difficult it is to overtake around the streets here and there just wasn’t a way past. Still I’m more than happy with second place, and it’s great to get another podium for the boys here, and everyone back at Brackley and Brixworth.
“I can’t wait to get to Canada now and keep the momentum going.”
Schumacher was clattered into off the line by Romain Grosjean, and lost a couple of positions at the start. However, he was running well until his race ended on Lap 58.
“What can I say?” asked the seven-time world champion. “It was simply a pity to end the race in this way.
“In any case, the fuel pressure problem had nothing to do with the incident at the start. But it made it doubly disappointing because I had secretly been hoping for a podium finish today.
“I will take the boost from the high points of this weekend with me to Canada. The track should suit us and I’m hoping to have a normal, clean race.”
Team principal Ross Brawnpraised both drivers for their efforts this weekend.
Nico ran a very good race today and did all he needed to do,” he said. “I think we made the right calls but nothing opened up for us. It was a race that was about managing gaps and finding the right windows in the traffic; the team did a great job on that. Nico was the first of the front-runners to stop, but the harder tyre took a lap or two to come in and it wasn’t enough to jump Mark.
“As for Michael, he was hit on the run to the opening corner which cost him positions, but was very quick when a fuel pressure problem started to slow him later in the race. We tried to continue but it was costing him too much time, dropped him out of the points and forced us to retire the car. It was very disappointing because he put in a great performance this weekend and he was still on course to score useful points. We need to make sure we eliminate the problems for him, starting in Canada.
