New Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg has singled out the 2015 United States Grand Prix where he lost that year’s title to Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton as the starting point of his 2016 championship run.
The Briton claimed his third world title in Austin last year when race leader Rosberg allowed him through after slithering off track in a wild wet-to-dry contest.
The German was quick to admit he felt in “a pretty dark” place at the time, but he was able to bounce back in fine style to defeat Hamilton over the following season, partly thanks to a change of mindset.
“It’s a process; it started in Austin last year,” Rosberg said of his new approach. “It really was a horrible experience for me to lose the championship to Lewis in the way that I did that day.
“I spent two days on my own after that just thinking about that. I'm proud to be able to always come out from difficult moments stronger. I really manage to do that quite well, which I'm proud of. And after that race I won seven races on the trot and that definitely the kick-start of this championship.
“I really gave it everything I had this year. There wasn't a stone that I left unturned in commitment and determination and in avenues to explore to become a better racing driver.”
Rosberg’s 2016 mantra was to take one race at a time. The newly-crowned champion explains how he came up with this approach and how challenging it was to stick to it as stakes increase in the glare of the spotlight.
“The mind is a huge thing in the sport. I found my way during the season for sure, in the early part of the season to really remain in the moment and not think about the big picture or “what if’ and things like that.
“Because the childhood dream is massive and that can weigh if you think too much about it. The desire to achieve that when you get closer and closer… wow it’s huge. So it was better to keep away from that.
“Of course, the changing moment was Suzuka for me, when all of a sudden I had a 33-point lead and that meant that it was in my hands. It's mine to lose, because it was enough to do a second, second, second, and third or whatever.
“And that's when the pressure really started for me because it became real, the chance to win the championship and beat Lewis.”
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