Rosberg bemoans tyre degradation

Nico Rosberg: "The optimum today would have been sixth place" © Getty Images

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Nico Rosberg believes his Mercedes was fast enough to snatch sixth place at the Singapore Grand Prix but missed out due to tyre degradation and the timing of the safety car.

Rosberg finished seventh behind Paul di Resta's Force India and a lap down on the lead car. He said it had been a difficult race on a circuit that did not suit the Mercedes.

"The optimum today would have been sixth place but it didn't quite work out for us this weekend," Rosberg said. "I was struggling with the rear end in the race, and our car just really didn't suit this demanding track.

"I had more problems with tyre degradation than the cars around me, which combined with having to switch our strategy when the safety car came out, meant it was impossible to make any progress. Whilst we might not be happy with the outcome of our weekend here in Singapore, we will now work hard to improve the car for the next races here in Asia."

The safety car was caused by Michael Schumacher crashing out on lap 28 and team principal Ross Brawn said it had been a double hit for Mercedes as it also ruined Rosberg's strategy.

"Unfortunately Michael's accident hurt us both from his own point of view and that it brought out the safety car at the wrong time for our strategy," Brawn added. "Nico then did a very good job to make the set of tyres that he had last for over half of the race. Seventh place was about as much as we could have expected today, and whilst it feels disappointing, we will keep working hard and pushing forward."

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