The in-form German was fastest in the morning session by three-tenths of a second and dominated the opening day, repeating the feat by four-tenths in the afternoon with a flawless demonstration of smooth precision on the technical Hockenheim track.
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Formula One is back in Germany after a one-year absence, and it was here in Hockenheim where Michael Schumacher, the seven-time champion, triumphed on four occasions.
But Rosberg improved on the rapidly drying tarmac to snatch pole.
“No real surprises and a good first step for the weekend”.
“In general our vehicle was working well out there today”, said Rosberg. Usually we do pick up quite a bit of competitiveness from Saturday to Sunday. “So that’s a warning not to get over-excited”.
He said he had struggled for balance in the second practice session.
“I was happy with my final attempt, but it was just not quick enough so it didn’t come together”, said Vettel. The Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, who is celebrating his 100th grand prix start here, were fourth and fifth respectively. “Compared to Force India, as well”.
The Briton was later taken to hospital for a “precautionary check-up” after complaining of eye irritation, his team said on Twitter.
Rosberg heads into Sunday’s (Monday NZT) race at the 4.5-km Hockenheim track trailing Hamilton by six points in the standings, having ceded the overall lead to the Briton at the last race in Hungary.
Red flags will replace waved double yellows in the event of hazardous incidents in qualifying, Formula One’s race director Charlie Whiting said yesterday.
The Dutch teenager felt positive with his performance, especially as he placed ahead of both Ferrari drivers, including Kimi Raikkonen, who he had a close, and controversial, battle with at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I’ve been driving exactly the same as I have in the previous part of the year, but just not had any gearbox failure or engine problems, ” Hamilton added.
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was the best of the rest on Friday, finishing in third, albeit more than half-a-second adrift of Rosberg.
“So there is a difference”.
“But then the question is did he slow down enough, what’s enough?”
“If you apply the double waved yellow flag rule absolutely to the letter it says you must be prepared to stop”.
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Hot on his tails will be Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg, who will be looking to end his barren run with victory at his home grand prix.
