Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admits the Malaysian Grand Prix cost Lewis Hamilton this year’s drivers’ championship, but feels Nico Rosberg’s achievement is being underestimated.
Hamilton was leading comfortably at Sepang and seemingly on course for victory when his power unit failed, handing Red Bull a one-two. Rosberg finished third in that race, gaining 15 points on his team-mate rather than losing 13 had he finished fourth and Hamilton won, and the German duly went on to secure the title by five points with second place in Abu Dhabi.
With Hamilton having suffered reliability problems in qualifying in both China and Russia - and Rosberg winning on both occasions - Wolff says Malaysia was the deciding race but believes Rosberg deserves more credit for the way he has taken advantage.
“I think you need to win and lose with dignity,” Wolff said. “This is a mechanical sport and if they would sit on the floor on the starting grid they wouldn’t go far. This team has built them the best car over the last three years has made them win races and championships, and this team has let the down on occasion, but less occasions than making them celebrate.
“This year, clearly, Malaysia cost Lewis the championship. It’s clear. But on the other side we have spent the last ten minutes discussing Lewis and the [backing up] situation without recognising Nico’s achievement racing against the most talented driver and team-mate and winning a world championship, and making it close the years before.
“It’s quite an achievement and I think we should honour it because he’s tough cookie and he doesn’t let go. There are some quite remarkable character traits about him that make him a champion and a worthy world champion.”
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