Nico Rosberg wants Mercedes to understand Baku dominance
Nico Rosberg says Mercedes needs to work out what gave it such an "unbelievable" advantage at the Grand Prix of Europe, according to ESPN.
Mercedes dominated in Baku and had a comfortable lead throughout the weekend, though a messy Q3 for Lewis Hamilton prevented what had looked like a certain front row lockout. Polesitter Rosberg romped away to a comfortable victory, leading from lights to flag and setting the fastest lap, and thinks the team needs to work out why the gap was so big.
"I don't know unfortunately but it's something that we have to try and understand because it was pretty unbelievable here this weekend how fast our car was," Rosberg said when asked where the team's advantage had come from.
"The first stint, that was the best because I knew that I had to open the gap to cover all the things like a Safety Car and things and that worked out well yeah. I was feeling great out there."
Despite his comfortable lead and no Safety Car periods Rosberg points out the tricky street circuit meant he could never let his guard down during the race.
"It wasn't boring. This track is one of the most exciting out of them all because you can't afford to switch off for even one second.
"There are some corners where if you brake five metres too late you are in the wall head on, it's pretty exciting out there and for me it was special because I really felt at one with my car and you don't have many days like that. I could just push and I knew there was no risk of making any mistakes or anything and that was a great feeling out there."
Azerbaijan hosted the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe for the first time on June 17-19. Overall, 11 teams, two drivers in each, competed in the race.
The specially constructed street circuit saw F1 cars race around the stunning downtown area of Baku, incorporating its UNESCO-protected old city – Icheri Sheher historical-architectural reserve – as well as its modern skyline and beautiful Caspian Sea promenade.
Nico Rosberg from Mercedes AMG F1 team won the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe in Baku. Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel came in second, followed by Force India’s Sergio Perez.
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