Mercedes' Nico Rosberg: Eleventh place a shock

Nico Rosberg says starting his home Grand Prix from 11th on the grid is ”quite a shock” for him and his team Mercedes.

Rosberg, who won the British Grand Prix a week ago, completed only one run in Q1, that too at start of the session. He was fourth fastest at that time but with the track ever improving, that fourth position became 11th by end of the session.

“It was quite a shock. I didn’t see it coming. The team didn’t expect the track to ramp up that much. I can’t believe I am standing here right now,” Rosberg told Sky Sports.

Nico Rosberg won the British GP last week

Mercedes has been the fastest car in qualifying this season and Nico Rosberg has been on pole at three of the nine races.

Without the error, he expected to start the race from front row.

The German said: “I thought I would be easily on the front row today.

“The new tyres didn’t come to our advantage but hopefully the race pace is better. But from 11th I will think about that tomorrow.”

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn admitted that the team underestimated the track conditions which got better every second.

“It was just a misjudgement,” the Mercedes Team Principal said.

“We had a cut-off time that we thought would be reasonably comfortable but the track simply got a lot quicker at the end and we hadn’t anticipated it. He didn’t have the greatest of laps anyway so that was adding to the frustration.

“But we didn’t make the right call on that one, but we will have to see what benefit it brings in the race because Nico now has free tyre choice.”

Rosberg’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, in contrast starts the German Grand Prix from pole position.