Nico Rosberg says there is no satisfaction winning the constructors’ championship thanks to a penalty after the Russian Grand Prix.
Having qualified on pole position, Rosberg was leading when a throttle issue caused him to twice go off track and lose positions, forcing him to retire in the early laps. Team-mate Lewis Hamilton went on to take victory to all but end Rosberg’s drivers’ title hopes, while a post-race penalty for Kimi Raikkonen handed Mercedes the constructors’ crown.
Asked if there was any satisfaction in winning the constructors’ championship on Sunday night, Rosberg replied: “No, unfortunately not.
“It’s just a strange way. I’ll get it tomorrow when I see we are celebrating with everybody, but it’s been a strange day.
“I’m obviously well aware it’s a massive team effort and how everybody is. It’s a unique job because everybody is in with their heart so much. At the end of the day it is still very special to win the constructors’, and that’s what everybody is working towards.
“It’s awesome to be a part of that. I’m a world champion as well, so that’s a small positive.”
On his own race, Rosberg says he was confident of victory once he had kept Hamilton behind at the start.
“A really tough end to the weekend. It started off great, awesome laps in qualifying and a good feel so happy to be on pole by such a margin. A good battle with Lewis and I won that in the first couple of corners so it was all going to plan and I was really confident of winning the race.
“Then after that under the safety car the throttle pedal started coming my direction which is a pretty scary feeling because if the throttle sticks when you get on the brakes it can be a pretty big accident so it wasn't a good feeling at the time but the team reassured me it was unlikely to be dangerous. So I just tried to keep going but eventually it just failed completely and the throttle stuck open more and more.
“The constructors’ title we won afterwards and that’s great. I’m very happy for all my colleagues and everybody who has been working so hard on this. I can’t really celebrate myself at the moment but tomorrow for sure I’ll enjoy the celebrations back at the factory.”
Raikkonen penalty hands Mercedes constructors' title
Hamilton close to title after Russian GP win
AS IT HAPPENED: Russian Grand Prix
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