Rosberg expecting a busy Sunday afternoon

Following an eventful and rain impacted final segment in qualifying this afternoon in Austria, Nico Rosberg ended up second behind team mate Lewis Hamilton but will be dropped five places on the starting grid to comply with a gearbox change following his morning crash in FP3.

The Q3 session started on a wet track but dried out in minutes with drivers frantically switching to UltraSoft rubber.

Rosberg initially declined to take on slick tyres and the softest compound but eventually pitted for a change and last minute effort which demoted the impressive Force India of Hulkenberg to third.

"It was an unbelievable job from everybody,' Rosberg praised from the outset, speaking of his gearbox change.

"Even Lewis' mechanics came over to my car to try and get it out in time, so that was a huge team effort.

"Qualifying was really exciting and it was unbelievable how quickly it dried at the end. Lewis just did a great job, and second isn't first but it's okay."

Rosberg naturally admitted that he will have his work cut out for him in tomorrow's race but the German remains determined to do his best and salvage as many points as possible.

Starting on Pirelli's UltraSoft tyres, which won't last as long as the SuperSoft-shod Ferraris and Red Bulls, will obviously also complicate Mercedes case and Rosberg's in particular.

"Starting five places down tomorrow will be quite costly unfortunately, but I'll make the best of it and try to get a good race from there.

"Tyres will be tough tomorrow. We don't know because the temperature will drop so much. For sure, in the heat, it was really tough but maybe in the cold it will be better. We don't know."

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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.