Russian Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg Realistic but Determined to Challenge Lewis Hamilton
Nico Rosberg took second place on the grid, two-tenths of a second down, but admitted that Lewis Hamilton's current momentum and sheer speed had moved him beyond his reach.
After leading the championship for most of the year, a candid Nico Rosberg found himself facing the prospect of another dent to his title hopes after being comprehensively outpaced by Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton on Saturday.
Briton Hamilton, 29, reigned supreme as he sped to the 38th pole of his career, leaving him behind only three other men in terms of pole starts, all multiple world champions - Michael Schumacher (68), Ayrton Senna (65) and Sebastian Vettel (45).
Rosberg took second place on the grid, two-tenths of a second down, but admitted that Hamilton's current momentum and sheer speed had moved him beyond his reach.
With four races remaining, he is 10 points behind Hamilton.
"Today, Lewis was quicker," said the Germany-born son of Finland's former world champion Keke Rosberg.
"In fact, all weekend really [he has been quicker].
"I have been working hard to try and get close, but didn't manage to get closer than those two tenths - that is the way it is. I need to accept that.
"Also, we had Valtteri [Bottas] coming up from behind and going quick. We had to keep an eye on that..."
Williams driver Bottas took third place on the grid.
Rosberg added: "But, you know, a front row is definitely ok and from there anything is possible tomorrow. It will be an interesting race."
Asked about the new Sochi Autodrom circuit, set in the Olympic Park used for the 2014 Winter Games, he said: "It is unique here because there is hardly any tyre degradation because the track is so smooth on the tyres.
"It is completely different to anything else we have seen this year and that makes it very unique. It has been a big challenge, set-up wise, and everything to get to grips with the track, this weekend.
"But I think it is going to be a good race tomorrow.... I think the start will be important of course [too] - there is a great opportunity there. I have been having some very good starts lately. I am quite confident for that."