Nico Rosberg is looking to return to the front of the field this weekend at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix after a disappointing Singapore Grand Prix last weekend where his Mercedes AMG PETRONAS team were off the pace in comparison to Ferrari and Red Bull, with the German only finishing fourth.
Rosberg feels the Suzuka circuit is a true test of skill, and highlights the first sector in particular as one that a driver can find a lot of time if they get the racing line right, and is also fun to drive.
“Obviously, Singapore wasn’t a good weekend for the team but I know everybody has been working hard to understand what happened and it’s good that we’ve got a chance to get straight back on it this weekend,” said Rosberg.
“Suzuka is an awesome track – one of the best in motorsport and a real test of driver skill. There’s so much going on around the lap with high, medium and low speed corners all thrown in together.
“The first sector is great fun to drive; you have to really nail the line and a small mistake can cost you so much time. You have to find a good rhythm and that’s a challenge I really enjoy.”
Rosberg is looking to have a change of fortune at the circuit, with his best result at Suzuka coming last year when he finished second behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton, but admits thoughts this weekend will be of Jules Bianchi, a year on from his horror crash that ultimately cost him his life.
“I haven’t had the best of luck at this circuit in the past and I’d love to change that,” said Rosberg.
“We’ll all be thinking of Jules and his family this weekend, of course. He will be always in our hearts.”
