Nico Rosberg describes his thrilling battle with Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix as “on the limit but cool”.
Having started from P2 on full wets behind the Safety Car, the Mercedes man found himself under pressure from the Red Bull driver after the pair pitted for intermediates. Stalking down Rosberg through the ultra-fast section of Maggots and Beckett, Verstappen pulled off a stunning manoeuvre out of Chapel to force his way past.
The current championship leader fought back in the second half of the race on slicks but it took him several attempts to finally make a move stick on the outside of Stowe Corner.
Although Rosberg complained about Verstappen changing line twice on Hangar Straight during the race, the German would rather focus on the positive aspects of their duel afterwards.
“It was a bit of a tricky start of course,” Rosberg said. “Max got me and then it was an exciting race against him. I managed to get him around the outside, which I was so happy about.
“The Red Bull is quick on the inters, we know that, they have always been quick, so unfortunately he got by me [at Chapel] but then it was a great battle against him.
“He was on the edge for sure, has to be on the limit but it’s cool and I really enjoyed getting past him.”
Rosberg adds that spending some time behind the Red Bull denied him an opportunity to chase race leader Lewis Hamilton before his late gearbox issue, which demoted him to third for unauthorised radio messages, put paid to his hopes.
“In the race nothing was lacking I was really feeling great. I have the fastest lap of the race by some margin as well, I was feeling great.
“What was lacking was that Red Bull that was in front of me for a few laps and then I lost a bit in the wet phase in the first part of the race, that’s it.”
RACE REPORT: Hamilton beats Rosberg and Verstappen in British GP
AS IT HAPPENED: British Grand Prix
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