Nico Rosberg was delighted after scoring the best result of his two-year Formula 1 career in Brazil on Sunday.
The young German moved up from 10th on the grid to battle with the BMWs in the closing stages, passing Robert Kubica for fourth place with three laps remaining.
The result cemented his ninth place in the drivers’ championship and fourth in the constructors’ rankings for Williams.
“I am very happy!” said Rosberg.
“This is a super result for the team, and for me, because fourth is my best result in F1 so far.
“Thanks to my engineers who improved the car a lot throughout the weekend; their efforts definitely helped me out in qualifying and then in the race.
“My strategy was very much on the limit; a heavy fuel load on the second stint was really tough on the tyres and I was struggling a bit, but I could make up the pace with my last set which were good.
“The pressure was on today because everything was on the line, the constructors’ position for the team and my position in the drivers’, so I am very pleased with the outcome.
“The best thing is that this race was my personal best result, which means I can go into the winter happy – that’s going to be
fun!”
Team-mate Kazuki Nakajima had a creditable F1 debut, finishing 10th, but it was blighted by a botched first pit stop when he arrived too quickly and slid into his pit crew.
“First of all I would say I’m really sorry that some of my mechanics were injured during my pit stop and that I hope they’re okay,” he said.
“It was a good first race for me but it was slightly overshadowed.
“My start itself was as good as the others around me, but I lost some positions because of the collision in front of me going into the first corner.
“I was then held up by [Takuma] Sato for quite some time before I could overtake him.
“Car balance was almost perfect, especially in the third stint on the option tyres.
“I really enjoyed the race and I did well physically.
“I would like to thank the team for giving me this great opportunity.”
Engineering director Patrick Head praised Rosberg’s “fantastic” drive and added: “On behalf of myself and Frank [Williams], I’d like to thank the team who have done a great job this year to put us in fourth place in the constructors’ championship.”---
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source : itv-f1
Rosberg thrilled with best ever result
