After finishing second to his teammate in Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg saw his championship lead cut by another seven points with just two races remaining in the 2016 Formula One season
However, due to the fact that he is still 19 points ahead, if he wins the next round in Brazil, he will have a big enough lead to clinch his first ever world championship crown.
Rosberg struggled to stay in second place with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen hot on his tail for a lot of the race and that was after contact with the Dutchman on the opening lap…
“I had a tough race. At the start I had a good getaway and thought I would be able to take the lead from Lewis, when I saw he had a massive lock up and went straight through the grass,” Nico explained. “Then, suddenly, Verstappen hit me heavily after he had a lock up too and forced me off the track. Luckily my car wasn't damaged and it didn't cost me a position.”
However, then the Red Bull duo became embroiled in their own battle with Ferrari and this allowed Rosberg the breathing room he needed and he eventually crossed the line in P2.
Rosberg, who won the Mexican event last year, was thrilled to be back on the rostrum at this venue due to the reaction of the crowd…
“The Mexican fans were really outstanding again. I got goose bumps already in the stadium before the race at the driver's parade. But then, when the people were calling my name on the podium, that was the most emotional moment of the weekend. Thank you to everybody who made this event possible and to every Mexican fan who made their way today to the track,” he said. “Checo Perez and Esteban Gutiérrez can be really proud of their countrymen.”
Nico has now flown home for the next ten days after being away for two weeks so that he can enjoy some time off with his family and then he will be ‘ready to come back stronger in Brazil and go for the win (and championship crown) there.'
