Nico Rosberg thinks high tyre pressures hurt Mercedes’ outright pace at the Belgian Grand Prix, though the Mercedes driver comfortably won the race last Sunday.

F1’s official supplier Pirelli had imposed minimum tyre pressures of 23.5psi for the front tyres and 22psi for the rears at Spa-Francorchamps. Combined with local temperatures in excess of 30˚C, many drivers struggled with tyre management and some openly complained about extreme degradation.

Rosberg’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton even labeled the pressures as “ridiculous” while Mercedes saw its qualifying advantage trim to less than two tenths.

“For sure the tyre pressures put us in a different area with the car [last] weekend and I think was one of the reasons why it was all very close in qualifying and closer than usual,” said Rosberg, who claimed victory from pole position. “It’s the same for everybody so we just have to manage that.”

“It was a strange weekend and we really had to adapt a lot... as a result we really did a great job because we changed the car a lot.

“Through the weekend we kept improving and by the time the race came we looked really good.”

Rosberg adds that the upcoming Italian Grand Prix could present Mercedes with a similar challenge, though its unique, ultra-fast layout could minimise the impact of Pirelli’s limits.

“Monza is going to be another one where the tyre pressures are going to be really high, so that’s going to be a challenge for us - but it’s a different track so maybe not.”

Belgian Grand Prix - quotes of the week

F1i's driver ratings - Spa-Francorchamps

RACE REPORT: Rosberg wins at Spa as Hamilton recovers to third

Breakfast with ... Otmar Szafnauer

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

13 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

15 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

16 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

18 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

19 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

20 hours ago