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SILVERSTONE, England - Nico Rosberg believed he was on course to win the 2015 British GP on Sunday (July 5) when Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton decided to pit for intermediate tyres in the rain-swept closing laps.
Within a lap Rosberg realised he was wrong, that Hamlton's swift call had paid off, and he was left to settle for second.
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was third.
'IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL'
Rosberg said: "When it started raining, I felt great. I was really able to attack and pass both Williams and close to Lewis a lot.
"I was hoping the race would stay like that - I thought I could attack Lewis at some point but then Lewis pitted. I was pretty sure that was the wrong call because it was still touch-and-go at that time, so I was actually quite happy that he did.
Read: 2015 British GP as it happened!
"It was the right call in the end because it started raining more in that lap, so that was it. Anyway, I had to take that chance. If I had just followed Lewis into the pits I would definitely have lost, so I thought I might as well stay out and do one more lap, at least.
"It didn't work out, so that's it. I did everything, but that was it."
BEATING STEWART'S RECORD
Rosberg's drive to second behind Hamilton meant that Mercedes became the first team tofinish nine races in succession with two drivers on the podium since Ferrari in the 1952-53 season.
Hamilton set a record by increasing his total of consecutive races, in which he has been the leader, to 18.
The previous record of 17 was held by fellow-Briton Jackie Stewart in the 1969-70 seasons.