Q: Nico, you had four pole positions in a row and only the one in Mexico City resulted in a race win. Can you explain why?
Nico Rosberg: Because only in Mexico City did all the pieces of the puzzle fall into the right places. From the first lap onwards I felt comfortable, the set-up was right, and my engineer did a great job. Of course, if you have pole and go first into Turn 1 that makes all the difference. I would not say that the race is already decided at that point, but it helps a lot on the mental level.
Q: At the start you immediately went to the inside - to block that line to the bitter end…
NR: Honestly I don’t have a fixed plan - I look at the situation and then decide. In that case Lewis came flying in the slipstream - that’s why I had to shut the door.
Race winner Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 celebrates on the podium at Formula One World Championship, Rd17, Mexican Grand Prix, Race, Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico, Sunday 1 November 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
Q: When the safety car came out was there any flashback to the race in Austin a week previously?
NR: No, no flashback, because what happened in Austin was a couple of laps after the safety car. Of course I prefer a race without a safety car, because I had a good rhythm.
Q: Was there ever a moment when you felt that Lewis [Hamilton] could come too close and probably make a move on you?
NR: I had a pretty controlled race and I always had a sharp eye on him, and whenever he tried to get closer I pushed the pedal - that was it. I wanted the gap to stay at a constant level. And to be honest, I pretty much controlled that.
Q: Sebastian Vettel’s terrible race has made it a lot easier for you to finish second in the drivers’ championship…
NR: … but that was the last thought on my mind. It’s a nice afterthought, but nothing that kicks me off my feet.
Q: Both championships are decided, but how important is it in this part of the season to be successful and to get some sort of momentum for 2016?
NR: To be honest I don’t think so much into the future - I just think about the current race. It was awesome to win the Mexican Grand Prix - and that was my target for that weekend. There is no thought about future championships - it was about that awesome race. And then there are still two races to go and I will take each one at a time. So 2016 is quite in the distance. Of course there are things that you need to plan ahead for and that will play a role next year, but no major things.
Q: Isn’t it important for you to finish the season on a high, since you’ve had some unlucky moments lately?
NR: I am able to put things behind me very fast. And yes, of course, it is nice to win from pole position - but that is not a big secret and was not discovered for the first time yesterday.
Q: Aren’t the next two races also a chance for you to assess some of the weaknesses you’ve had here and there?
NR: I know already what they are.
Q: Can you say?
NR: No. For sure it’s a battle that I fight, but I also keep improving all the time.
Q: Has Lewis apologized for his move in Austin?
NR: That topic is finished.
Q: But how is your relationship?
NR: I don’t want to say anything about it, but I think you can see it from the outside anyways.
Q: The handshake on the Mexican podium was very brief…
NR: … if that is your opinion…
Q: What are you doing next?
NR: Immediately go home to my family. That is top of my list. But hey, to win here - that is really the ultimate wow factor. I felt like a rock star - people in two grandstands shouting your name: that is unbeatable.
Q: When you say you felt like a rock star, would you say that in the future we should bring the podium closer to the people?
NR: Absolutely - this was the best podium ever in F1!
