Nico Rosberg was once again taken out at the start of a Grand Prix for a second race weekend in succession at the Korean Grand Prix, after the German driver was also a victim of Kamui Kobayashi’s reckless driving at the start. Rosberg was tapped from behind by the Sauber driver, and slowed to a halt down the long straight on the second lap.
After being taken out by Bruno Senna at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix, this result is Nico Rosberg’s second retirement in succession, and means the Mercedes driver hasn’t scored a single World Championship point since the Singapore Grand Prix last month.
As the melee of drivers haphazardly negotiated the opening two corners, Nico Rosberg was unfortunately collected by Kamui Kobayashi, who then went on to collide with Jenson Button and retire several laps later. With damage to the radiator, Rosberg was forced into a frustrating retirement on only the second lap.
“Unfortunately this has been the second poor weekend in a row for me, and it’s very frustrating to be taken out twice in the first corners of the race.” Explained Nico Rosberg, “Kobayashi hit me from behind today and that was my race over. The one small positive to be taken from the weekend is our qualifying performance which was a small step forward. Now I’ll look forward to India and hope for a bit more luck there.”
With Nico Rosberg retiring in the opening stages of the Korean Grand Prix, all hopes of a points finish for the German marque rested on the shoulders of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher. Unfortunately, the German veteran was unable to finish within the points, eventually finishing the race a distant 13th largely due to tyre woes. Both Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg will be hoping for a better race performance next time out in India, as Mercedes strive to score their first points finish since Singapore.
Follow me on Twitter - @AndyYoungF1