Nico Rosberg says he knew he would win the Singapore Grand Prix as the final lap begun, despite Daniel Ricciardo finishing less than half a second adrift having gambled on a late tyre change.
The two spent the entire race never more than six seconds apart, but in the closing laps a switch to the ultrasoft tyre for then fourth-placed Lewis Hamilton saw him undercut Kimi Raikkonen to take third, with Red Bull reacting and pitting Ricciardo too.
That meant Rosberg's lead at the front extended to 20-seconds for the first time, and although Mercedes almost pitted the German, they opted not to at the last moment, meaning Ricciardo had a big gap to close but had fresh tyres to do so.
Come the final lap, Ricciardo was right on Rosberg's gearbox, but the Mercedes driver was confident he had enough to keep Ricciardo at bay for that last lap.
"With 10 laps or 15 laps to go after [Ricciardo's] pitstop they said he would be with me at the end of the race, which was the case," explained Rosberg.
"I had to be on it, get everything right and it worked out. The tyre lasted just right so I'm very happy of course.
"By the time I started the last lap, I knew it was enough as his tyres were not fresh, so it was okay."
Rosberg eighth victory of the season is his first in Singapore and he declared himself "very happy" with the weekend.
"It has been an awesome weekend in Singapore for me," he added. "Yesterday with the pole lap and today with a great start. We knew it was going to be tight but I am very happy."
