Blowout at top speed ‘quite a shock’ and only luck saved me says Nico Rosberg

While on a long run towards the end of FP2, Rosberg was at full throttle approaching Blanchimont when his right rear tyre spectacularly failed, pitching him sideways at high speed. Rosberg avoided contact with either tyre barrier and come to rest in the run-off area, which he admits was down to pure luck.

“We don’t know [the cause] yet and it would not make sense to speculate about it, but yeah it was quite a shock because I just don’t expect it,” Rosberg said. “Suddenly at 306kph or 190mph or however you want to put it, to completely lose control is not good.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t down to my skill, it was just luck that I stayed away from the wall, but that was good.”

Asked if he worries about such a failure, Rosberg replied: “I don’t worry but it is a bit of a dent in the confidence, such incidents like today.”

However, Rosberg took the positives from being fastest in both practice sessions ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

“It’s going well for now. It’s been a good start to the weekend and I’m feeling comfortable. At the moment I’m still one step ahead of Lewis and that means tonight he is more likely to take over my set-up than vice versa because he’s a bit unsure what is going on. That’s usually the tendency, so it’s always better to start the weekend like that.”