Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Rosberg was at risk over brake temperatures - Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed that Nico Rosberg's lead and subsequent win were put into jeopardy two-thirds into the race because of a sudden surge in brake caliper temperatures.

The future Australian GP winner was almost called into to retirement as Mercedes did not want to run the risk of an outright brake failure.

In the end, the surge subsided and temperatures were brought down.

"We had a problem on Nico's car with brake caliper tempreatures which kept creeping up, almost to a stage where we thought about retiring the car.

"That was two-thirds into the race. It debris we caught in the caliper. Then it stabilised at maximum value.

"And then it started to creep down again, very slowly, and recovered. But at a certain stage, it was very difficult for the team to handle.

"Nico didn't know. You can't tell him. The alarm would come up [if it was dangerous], but we were really super close to that and there's nothing you can do about it."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.