The German’s faultless drive in Shanghai saw him home more than 20 seconds ahead of the McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, for what was also Mercedes’ first victory since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull of Mark Webber was fourth and reigning two-time world champion Sebastian Vettel fifth after some frantic jostling for the other podium places.
However, there was no such trouble for Rosberg. “Unbelievable. It’s been a long time coming for the team also,” said the 26-year-old. “It’s finally there. It’s amazing. I didn’t expect to be this fast today. I was very happy with the entire race.”
After finishing 12th and 13th in the first two grands prix of the season, Rosberg said he was delighted his team had managed to turn practice and qualifying speed into genuine race pace.
“We’ve been working very hard. We struggled in the first two races but progressed so quickly. Here, it all came together.”
Button, the 2009 world champion, was delighted to secure second after that place changed hands repeatedly up until nearly the very end of a compelling race. “There were some really good battles out there,” said the Briton. Hamilton was dealt a blow by a chaotic last stop in the pits, although he admitted he might never have caught the speedy Mercedes.
“I stopped on the markers and had a problem on the rear. I got stuck for maybe 10 seconds.”
Schumacher undone by pit-lane blunder
Rosberg showed no early nerves from pole position and made the perfect start to stay ahead of teammate Michael Schumacher going into the crucial first corner at an overcast but dry Shanghai International Circuit.
With the seven-time champion Schumacher using all his experience to act as a buffer from the chasing pack, Rosberg was able to stretch his lead with 10 of the 56 laps under his belt in relative comfort.
But with a quarter of the race gone that strategy – intentional or not – came undone in amateurish fashion when Schumacher was given the all-clear from a pit stop before one of the wheels was properly fastened.
A Mercedes mechanic frantically waved his arms but the 43-year-old was gone, only to slow up and stop shortly afterwards as he was forced to meekly bow out, his chance of a first race win since coming out of retirement over.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2012.
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