http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35227
ROSBERG SHINES ON F1 DEBUT
Williams rookie Nico Rosberg could have finished on the podium on
his Formula 1 debut had he not collided with Nick Heidfeld on the
first lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix, that is the view of the team's
technical director Sam Michael.
The young German was forced to pit for a new nosecone at the end of
the first lap after the incident.
But he then put on a storming display from the back of the field to
finish seventh, setting the race's fastest lap and executing a
string of daring passing manoeuvres.
"Nico made mistake at turn one, which cost him 45s on his in lap
and pit stop without this, he would have been on the podium,"
said Michael.
"For his first race, its a fantastic result."
Rosberg, whose performance earned him 'driver of the day' from ITV
Sport commentator Martin Brundle, was delighted with his own
performance.
"I really enjoyed myself today and the final result was a good
outcome," said Rosberg.
"Unfortunately I made a mistake at the first corner, expecting that
Heidfeld might leave me more room and the incident put me right
back.
"However, it was a super effort by the team and I really enjoyed
fighting my way up, particularly battling with Coulthard.
"The final result - seventh place and the fastest lap of the race
-is more than I could have hoped for in my first race."
Rosberg could not quite catch his team-mate Mark Webber who
completed a double points finish for Williams with sixth
place.
The pace of the Williams-Cosworth FW28s in Bahrain left Michael
wishing he has been more aggressive on strategy but confident of
the team's ability to fight at the front in the next few
races.
Our final positions today dont reflect our real pace as the car
was fast and we were perhaps a bit too conservative on our pit stop
strategy by running too long at the start," he said.
"However, looking at the FW28 over the race, it is clear that we
have a strong car aerodynamically and mechanically."
"Our target now is to turn up in Malaysia and deliver the
goods.
