RBS race report
Istanbul, Turkey - 11/5/2008
Nico Rosberg scored points for the third time in five 2008 starts for the RBS-supported AT&T Williams team in the Turkish Grand Prix.
Istanbul, Turkey - 11/5/2008
Nico Rosberg scored points for the third time in five 2008 starts for the RBS-supported AT&T Williams team in the Turkish Grand Prix.
Nico was disappointed with his 11th place on the starting grid but made up for it by gaining three places on the opening lap, and then going on to finish 8th. "It was a fantastic first lap," he said, "although I very nearly lost it all when Nick Heidfeld ran wide while I was alongside him. He didn't know I was there and I had to take to the grass.
"The car was all over the place when I came back on the track but I managed to gather it all together, and pass Jarno Trulli and David Coulthard around the outside of Turn 3. After that, I gave it everything on every lap and it was great to come away with a point. Any more than that is not possible at the moment."
Team mate Kazuki Nakajima was taken out of the race on the opening lap when he was hit by Giancarlo Fisichella's Force India car. Kazuki limped back to the pits in the hope of rejoining but damage to his Williams was too severe.
"I don't really have a clue what happened," Kazuki admitted. "I was just going into Turn 1 following the car in front, I didn't even change my line, and there was a huge bang from behind. It was a pity because our long-run pace looked okay on Friday and I was hoping I could make good progress." Kazuki qualified 16th.
Technical Director Sam Michael said: "It was pleasing to get a point from the race. It was a very strong, clear-headed drive from Nico and he was flat-out all afternoon. He didn't make any mistakes and he delivered for us.
"The whole midfield is very tight now, so we need to bring some more performance developments to the car if we are to make progress."
Kazuki Nakajima received a vote of confidence from AT&T Williams owner Sir Frank Williams after the first four races of the new season. Sir Frank said: "He is very young and very sincere and earnest. He works hard at the track and away from the track and spends more time on his fitness than even Nico Rosberg does. I think if the car is good enough he will be as good as the car and he will do well."
With Super Aguri absent from the paddock in Turkey, Sir Frank Williams admitted that the economic climate is tough for privateers. "If you were looking to enter, financially you would find it very difficult right now," he said. "Raising capital, I guess, was Aguri's problem. We have a Japanese driver and have never yet found a penny of sponsorship for him in Japan, and that's much cheaper than actually creating a team."
Honda driver Rubens Barrichello achieved an all-time Formula One record when he started his 257th Grand Prix in Istanbul. The previous record was held by former Williams driver Riccardo Patrese, who finished the 1993 season on 256. Barrichello has won nine times and finished runner-up in the championship with Ferrari in 2002 and 2004. He has started from the pole 13 times and scored 519 points. "Hat's off to Rubens," said Sir Frank Williams. "He started in F1 as a young man in 1993 and he is still going, as strongly and competitively as ever. There don't appear to be any signs of him needing or wanting to retire at present."
