Rosberg: I thought it was all over

Nico Rosberg found himself facing the wrong way after a Turn 1 melee at the start of the Malaysian Grand Prix, from that point on he played catch-up all afternoon at Sepang, and when the chequered flag waved the world championship leader was third and the bonus being that he increased his title lead to a handy 23 points over his Mercedes teammate and title rival Lewis Hamilton,

A very, very important third place for you today. Little bit of misfortune for your team but you fought back after an unfortunate first corner with Sebastian tagging the back of you in Turn One. Twenty-three point lead now. What are your thoughts and emotions right now?
Nico Rosberg: First of all, yeah, Turn One, I thought it was all over, so I’m really happy to be able to fight back in such a way all the way to the podium. That’s been great. Thank you very much to all of you here in Malaysia, you’ve been amazing all week and the support has been incredible. It’s been amazing to see that. In general, I wished for as better day today, but that’s the way it is sometimes.

Five to go, how do you feel?
NR: At the moment a bit tired after that race! Apart from that it’s a good moment in general and looking forward now to the next one of course, of course full attack.

A third different perspective on the start line incident from you please. You were 21st at the end of that first lap. To go from there to finishing on the podium and leaving Malaysia with a 23-point championship lead, does that feel almost like a win for you today?
NR: Well, it doesn’t feel like a win because it’s only third place and today was a tough day – because after Turn One I thought it was finished. Of course I’m happy with the comeback; to get all the way back on the podium, I definitely didn’t think that was going to be possible. For Lewis, I’ve been in his position, I know how terrible it is in that moment, so I’m sure he’s totally gutted.

And your view of the start?
NR: Oh, I just got T-boned by a four-time World Champion out of control!

Can you tell something about that situation with Kimi when you overtook him and got a penalty?
NR: Well, I went for it and we touched and that’s it. I can’t remember the details. For sure it was an aggressive move and they judged it to be a bit too aggressive and that’s it. I didn’t think I was going to get a penalty at the time but....