German Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg coasts to first home win

Mercedes teammate Hamilton battles to third; Williams’ Bottas finishes second.


Afp July 20, 2014

HOCKENHEIM: Nico Rosberg completed a memorable week for himself and his nation on Sunday when he cruised to his first win in his home German Grand Prix.

The pole sitter, cheered on by Germany World Cup winner Lukas Podolski in the Mercedes pits, extended his lead to 14 points over teammate Lewis Hamilton, who charged up to finish third from 20th on the grid, in the title race.

“It’s an amazing feeling to win at home,” said Rosberg. “It’s a very special day.”

Splitting the Mercedes men in second was the Williams of Valtteri Bottas.

Rosberg came home a comfortable 20.7 seconds ahead of the Finn at the end of an enthralling 67-laps contest.

Hamilton was only 1.8 seconds behind Bottas ahead of defending champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo, in the second Red Bull.

Rosberg’s win came after a week in which he had married his long-term girlfriend Vivian Sibold, signed an extended contract with Mercedes and celebrated Germany’s World Cup victory.

It was his fourth win of the season and the seventh of his career.

But even such joyful supremacy was overshadowed in an incident-filled race by the bold passing pace of Hamilton, who started at the rear of the grid following his high speed crash in qualifying.

The Englishman delivered a thrilling series of dramatic moves muscling his way through the field, but in the end was unable to grab second in the closing laps as Bottas hung on to register an historic podium for the resurgent Williams team.

I had great fun,” said Hamilton.

“I did as good as I could. It was hard to get through the pack safely... it was hard to overtake so I’m glad to get some points today [Sunday].”

Nico Hulkenberg of Force India finished seventh ahead of Button and his McLaren teammate, Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen, and Sergio Perez who finished 10th in the second Force India.

Massa escapes somersault crash

Felipe Massa, starting on the second row, somersaulted spectacularly out of the Grand Prix after his Williams was bumped at the first bend.

Massa’s car came to rest in the safety gravel. The Brazilian walked away unscathed but clearly frustrated after the accident triggered when Kevin Magnussen’s McLaren clipped the rear of his car.

“I am ok,” he said. “The accident was a little bit scarier watching than being inside. I just saw everything the other way around, but I am fine.” AFP


Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2014.

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