Rosberg wants to hold talks on defensive tactics
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has said he would welcome discussions about defensive driving tactics at Barcelona this weekend following his controversial moves during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: May 11, 2012 04:43 PM IST
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has said he would welcome discussions about defensive driving tactics at Barcelona this weekend following his controversial moves during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mclaren driver Briton Lewis Hamilton and Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari have both criticised the German's driving, saying the aggressive manner in which he defended his position during the race was dangerous.
The topic is likely to be a major talking point amongst drivers and officials at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix and Rosberg - who won his first Grand Prix in China earlier this season - said it was important that the rules were clarified.
"Two of the drivers raised their concerns about it so we need to discuss it," said Rosberg, the German-born son of Finland's former world champion Keke.
"If there was a danger which I didn't cause on purpose then we need to implement rules so that it doesn't arise again.
"It is driver safety and we need to do the best we can so that we can move forward.
"We could look at implementing more rules in that situation because it is not very clear, but it can be looked at.
"Rules such as a car width (when a driver is moving back towards the racing line after making a block) is very good because we need that clear situation to penalise drivers when there is a need to."
The 26-year-old said the large run-off areas at the Bahrain circuit had played a part in his decision-making, but added that he saw no error in his ways and would not act any differently if the situation were to repeat itself.
"Of course if there had been the barriers at Monaco it would have been a different story, yes," he said. "Then again the guys behind would have backed off a lot earlier.
"In that situation I judged it to be harsh but fair so it was harsh but within the rules. And I didn't judge that I was putting my competitors in danger."