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Mercedes welcome Rosberg’s revival with Mexican GP win

German won the race 1.9sec clear of newly-crowned champion Hamilton

Afp November 02, 2015

In the first Formula One race in Mexico for 23 years, Rosberg gained some solace when he outpaced Mercedes teammate and newly-crowned triple world champion Hamilton. PHOTO: AFP

MEXICO CITY: Mercedes team bosses have welcomed Nico Rosberg’s dogged return to winning form in Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix and accepted champion Lewis Hamilton’s demands for an explanation about their tyre strategy.

In the aftermath of an unremarkable race in which German Rosberg led from pole to flag, with Briton Hamilton unable to find a way to pass him, the champion team was glad to avoid more controversy and see Rosberg’s personal revival.

Non-executive chairman Niki Lauda said, “I felt sorry for Nico because I know what it is getting blown off all the time and the worst thing is when you screw a race up and the other guy is champion.

Rosberg seeks talks with Hamilton for going ‘too far’

“That’s the worst thing that can happen to a racing driver. Therefore it’s good that this race was the other way around, so he gets his stability back and he will keep on fighting.”

He added that for him and for Mercedes the most important factor was to see their rivalry lift the team performance. “For me, that is the most important — that they push each other,” he said.

“If one doesn’t push any more, then the other one doesn’t go as quick so this calibration is back. That’s good for us and for the drivers.”

Rosberg, clearly delighted by his success after securing only two wins from 10 pole positions, came home 1.9sec clear for his first win since the Austrian Grand Prix.

Rosberg to lead the pack in Russian Grand Prix

His win also lifted him back into second place in the championship ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel who crashed out in his Ferrari on a day when the Italian team also saw Kimi Raikkonen forced to retire after colliding with compatriot Valtteri Bottas.

Bottas of Williams, also powered by Mercedes, came home third ahead of Daniil Kvyat of Red Bull, his teammate Daniel Ricciardo and Felipe Massa in the second Williams.

Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh ahead of his Force India teammate local hero Sergio Perez, teenager Max Verstappen of Toro Rosso and Romain Grosjean of Lotus.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2015.

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