Whilst Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were both thrilled to lock-out the front row of the Spanish Grand Prix grid on Saturday, they know winning the race on Sunday is an entirely different matter.
Nico Rosberg will start on pole for the second consecutive race following his Bahrain flyer, but he knows all too well that the race pace doesn’t necessarily reflect one-lap speed after he could only manage ninth last time out.
That is playing on his mind and he says he’ll take a ‘cautious’ approach tomorrow.
“After what we saw in Bahrain it is nice, but we cannot be over confident when we’re thinking about the race result,” he said.
“We’re surprised to be that quick, but it was a good qualifying and a good lap in the end, so I’m really, really happy with that.
“It’s a good boost for the team, the front row is fantastic but of course we have to be a bit cautious after Bahrain.”
He believes the tyre situation may have improved since, which gives him more confidence for the race.
“The team has been working really hard to be even better, understanding how to get the most out of these tyres.
“This morning was better so I am a little bit more confident.”
Meanwhile team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who starts second, shares Rosberg’s view and says managing tyre wear will be important.
“We will do the best job we can from the start, but more of a concern is looking after the tyres,” he added.
“We have to improve our race pace. We have very good qualifying pace. I hope in the future we will get that win.”
After being outqualified twice in a row, Hamilton admitted he needed to up his game.
“Sometimes you get beaten, sometimes you go ahead – that is the name of the game.
“At the end of the day he is quicker today and I just have to work harder – simple.”
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