Newly crowned
Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg on Tuesday downplayed Mercedes teammate
Lewis Hamilton's tactics to foil his chances at the Abu Dhabi
Grand Prix.
To retain the
world title Hamilton had to win and see Rosberg finish off the podium, and
appeared to slow down while blocking him in the hope two other drivers could
catch and overtake him.
"I can
fully understand the team's side of course because we have been working towards
those guidelines for three years now. At the same time I can also understand
Lewis because you know, we're drivers, we're fighters until the last
metre," the German said at a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur.
"It was
about the world championships. He decided to try everything he could out there
so, also in a way it's understandable, even if it was very tough. And that's
it. I don't think it's something that needs to be discussed much."
Rosberg
clinched his maiden world title on Sunday, finishing second in the Abu Dhabi
Grand Prix.
The
31-year-old Rosberg concluded the longest season in the sport's history with a
nail-biting drive under intense pressure after leader and race winner Hamilton
had slowed the field to create a difficult finish.
Hamilton
reeled off his 10th win of the season -- the most by any driver not to win the
title -- and the 53rd of his career, but his gamesmanship upset his team and
his teammate in the closing laps.
Hamilton
ignored two instructions from the team to increase his speed at the front, but
was unable to create a situation in which Rosberg could be attacked and passed.
Mercedes chief
Toto Wolff, who helmed the presser with a jubilant Rosberg, was careful not to
be drawn into a discussion on Hamilton and what consequences he may face.
"I can
understand why he (Hamilton) drove like he drove, that was his instinct. He
needed to do that and equally our system has made them win many races and
created an era of dominance," Wolff said.
"But
again, let's discuss it at a later stage. Today it's about only this man,"
he added pointing to Rosberg sitting beside him.
Rosberg and
Wolff were in Kuala Lumpur attending a celebratory event by Petronas -- the
state oil firm and the Malaysian race's title sponsor which also backs the
Mercedes team.
Malaysia has
said it will discontinue its Formula One Grand Prix race after 2018 due to
falling revenues, waving the checkered flag on one of Asia's longest-running F1
races.
"You've
always had great racing, great races. I'm sure it's done a lot for Malaysia to
create attention around the world for your country, for business, for
everything," Rosberg said.
"And
anyway, let's just enjoy the next two at least and then we see how it goes for
the future."
AFP
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