Nico Rosberg has claimed that spending more time karting throughout this season gave him the edge required and observable improvement in performance this year.
The German driver was unable to match Hamilton for pace in the final four races and has arguably beaten one of the best drivers on the grid to the title. Rosberg’s consistency was also vital to edging the highly-rated British driver, the German had to be in the right position to optimise of Hamilton’s mechanical misfortune.
Rosberg ultimately won by five-points, and explained this variable with regards to his victory,
“When I’m at home, I’m doing different sorts of training, which I do to prepare. Not everything I do is public knowledge, I like to keep some secrets of success. I do a lot of different, alternative stuff to try and be at my best and it’s worked, it’s paid off.
This year, for example, I did a lot of go-karting which I hadn’t done in the past because we don’t drive much [in F1]. Practising that skill has really helped me.”
– Nico Rosberg
Rosberg’s last race win came in Japan, his gap to Hamilton in 2nd a whopping 33-point lead. The Brits form in the final four races was 100% focus arriving too late. Rosberg added,
“The changing moment for me was Suzuka when all of a sudden I had the 33-point lead and it meant it was in my hands and it was mine to lose. That was when the pressure started for me because it became real, the chance to win the championship was real.
The media as well, they have a power, and as much as I try to stay away, I have to answer the questions. It’s a challenge, and of course I’ve learned to get through that. The mind is a huge part of the sport.
I found my way during the season, in the early part actually, to remain in the moment and not think about the big picture.”
– Nico Rosberg
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