Rosberg Admits He Struggles to Hide Disappointment After Bahrain Setback
Nico Rosberg says his frustration was clear after finishing third in Bahrain, as a brake issue and growing points gap to Hamilton left him unable to mask his mood.
Nico Rosberg has acknowledged his visible frustration after finishing third in the 2015 Bahrain Grand Prix, saying he is not able to hide his bad moods when results fall short of expectations. A brake problem late in the race allowed Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen to pass him, compounding a weekend that had already started poorly with a disappointing qualifying session.
Rosberg’s qualifying left him six tenths behind Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who went on to win the race. On Sunday, Rosberg fought back with a series of overtakes on the Ferraris, but the brake issue in the closing laps meant he had to settle for the final podium spot. "I can't buy much with third place," Rosberg wrote in his regular column for the German newspaper Bild. "I don't even care if it's Kimi or Seb overtaking me, and the distance to Lewis in the world championship has unfortunately also grown."
Rosberg’s body language on the podium made his disappointment clear. He admitted as much, saying, "I can't always hide my disappointment. Maybe I'm just not a good actor. It's just who I am." The German driver stressed that while the result was frustrating, the season was long and he was not giving up the fight for the championship.
Rosberg Looks to Family and Recovery Before Barcelona
After the race, Rosberg flew straight home to Monaco. He said that seeing his wife Vivian, who was recovering from a difficult early pregnancy, helped him put the race behind him. "When I saw my wife, who is now almost one-and-a-half women, the frustration was gone," Rosberg wrote, referencing her pregnancy. He plans to spend time at home before heading to the Spanish Grand Prix, aiming to catch up on sleep after a demanding start to the season.
Denies Hamilton Contract Row
Rosberg also addressed speculation that Lewis Hamilton was seeking clear number one status in his contract renewal with Mercedes. He dismissed the idea, stating that both drivers are contractually guaranteed equal treatment by the team. "That will not happen," Rosberg said, pointing to the team’s established policy of parity between its drivers.
Rosberg now faces the challenge of closing the points gap to Hamilton as the Formula One season heads to Barcelona. With his home life providing some respite, he remains focused on the long championship ahead.
