- 23 Mar 13, 12:16#351188
Lewis Hamilton said he was disappointed to miss out on pole position for tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Having looked strong in FP3 Hamilton failed to replicate that pace when rain fell during the final part of qualifying, eventually securing fourth on the grid. Hamilton did have the benefit of being the final driver to start a lap as the track dried out but he said he was unable to improve because he was still circulating on the same set of tyre from the start of Q3.
"I have to go and speak to the team about whether they regret it or not, but for me it's just the way it is," Hamilton said. "Of course putting new tyres on was obviously the way to go; our strategy was to stay out. We thought it would dry out more and it would work in our favour but it didn't.
"I want to be pole, so initially when you get out of the car of course you don't think you're happy or anything. I was working to get pole position - as we were as a team - but we're a little bit further back than what we were hoping for. But it's motor racing, everyone's in the same boat and tomorrow there's lots of positive to take out of today and yesterday. So I'm excited about the race."
Focusing on those positives Hamilton believes Mercedes' long run pace is strong for the grand prix.
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It was a strategic mistake by Merc, looks like Lewis wanted to come in. Hindsight is always wonderful, but if you see the lead Redbull and Ferrari driver doing something different, I'd mirror it. Those guys normally get things right for their lead drivers.
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Rosberg, however, says it isn't affecting his confidence. When it was put to him that Hamilton has a ferocious reputation in qualifying, Rosberg replied: "Very ferocious, yeah!
"For sure, I knew it was going to be tough, that's what I expected, but that's cool. That's what I'm here for - challenges like that - and I know how quick Lewis is. I raced him in go karts so it's no surprise really until now for me, but I'm still confident that I can give him a good run for his money."
With Mercedes having struggled with excessive tyre wear in recent seasons, Rosberg said it is an area the team has improved but that he isn't finding tyre conservation any easier this year.
"No, not necessarily, it's just as big a challenge. For me it's an interesting challenge, it really requires a lot of thought and for the engineers also to get the most out of it. And it gives us good racing so for now it's a good thing.
"For sure our car is better this year so it makes a lot of things easier, but tyre management in every situation if you do a good job with what you have you're going to do better in the race. It's a similarly large challenge at the moment as it was last year, but of course our car is better overall."
I'm liking this partnership more than the Mika/David partnership already. Just have to wait for Rosberg to get his first win this season to start a That's Nico Rosberg thread.
Having looked strong in FP3 Hamilton failed to replicate that pace when rain fell during the final part of qualifying, eventually securing fourth on the grid. Hamilton did have the benefit of being the final driver to start a lap as the track dried out but he said he was unable to improve because he was still circulating on the same set of tyre from the start of Q3.
"I have to go and speak to the team about whether they regret it or not, but for me it's just the way it is," Hamilton said. "Of course putting new tyres on was obviously the way to go; our strategy was to stay out. We thought it would dry out more and it would work in our favour but it didn't.
"I want to be pole, so initially when you get out of the car of course you don't think you're happy or anything. I was working to get pole position - as we were as a team - but we're a little bit further back than what we were hoping for. But it's motor racing, everyone's in the same boat and tomorrow there's lots of positive to take out of today and yesterday. So I'm excited about the race."
Focusing on those positives Hamilton believes Mercedes' long run pace is strong for the grand prix.
_______________________________________________________
It was a strategic mistake by Merc, looks like Lewis wanted to come in. Hindsight is always wonderful, but if you see the lead Redbull and Ferrari driver doing something different, I'd mirror it. Those guys normally get things right for their lead drivers.
_______________________________________________________
Rosberg, however, says it isn't affecting his confidence. When it was put to him that Hamilton has a ferocious reputation in qualifying, Rosberg replied: "Very ferocious, yeah!
"For sure, I knew it was going to be tough, that's what I expected, but that's cool. That's what I'm here for - challenges like that - and I know how quick Lewis is. I raced him in go karts so it's no surprise really until now for me, but I'm still confident that I can give him a good run for his money."
With Mercedes having struggled with excessive tyre wear in recent seasons, Rosberg said it is an area the team has improved but that he isn't finding tyre conservation any easier this year.
"No, not necessarily, it's just as big a challenge. For me it's an interesting challenge, it really requires a lot of thought and for the engineers also to get the most out of it. And it gives us good racing so for now it's a good thing.
"For sure our car is better this year so it makes a lot of things easier, but tyre management in every situation if you do a good job with what you have you're going to do better in the race. It's a similarly large challenge at the moment as it was last year, but of course our car is better overall."
I'm liking this partnership more than the Mika/David partnership already. Just have to wait for Rosberg to get his first win this season to start a That's Nico Rosberg thread.
Breaking News:Lewis Hamilton has officially overtaken The Fonz in race wins. With 88 races less. Lol(Without a specially built blown diffuser, illegal front wing, preferential treatment)
