Bahrain Grand Prix winner Nico Rosberg says his second victory of the 2016 F1 season stemmed mostly from his \u201cgreat gateway\u201d, as\u00a0the Mercedes driver beat\u00a0pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton off the line.<\/p>\n
Comfortably leading into the first corner meant Rosberg was able to escape the melee behind, which saw the fast-starting Williams of Valtteri Bottas collide with Hamilton.<\/p>\n
GALLERY: Bahrain Grand Prix\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two weeks after being overhauled by the Ferraris when the lights went out in Melbourne, the Sakhir victor was satisfied to avoid a repeat of that scenario.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key was really the start,\u201d Rosberg said. \u201cI got a great getaway and from then I tried to control the pace. I am very happy with how the race went today. It\u2019s absolutely awesome to get another win.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been working a lot on starts so I am pleased that it worked out so well for me on the dirty side of the grid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosberg went on to deliver a steady performance, only relinquishing his lead for a couple of laps during his third and final pit stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played it safe in case there was a safety car or something,\u201d he added. \u201cWe went for a safe strategy, not a fast strategy, just to cover all eventualities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The German is now on a five-race winning streak since last year\u2019s Mexican Grand Prix. Bahrain also was his 16th<\/sup> career victory, which draws Rosberg level with the great Sir Stirling Moss \u2013 the most successful driver not to win a world title.<\/p>\n Asked whether that gave him an extra boost of confidence, an unfazed Rosberg replied:\u00a0\u201cIt’s awesome but I’m not thinking about it – I’m just taking it race by race. It’s great to win here today, that’s two wins on the trot, but I’m only thinking of the next race in China.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a good moment because we had a good car today, but it\u2019s is not something I think about. I’m not thinking about it right at this moment, I’m just thinking about this season and it’s two wins now in a row, good points.\u00a0That’s where my focus is, five wins or three wins, it doesn’t make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n With a perfect score of 50 points, Rosberg leads team-mate Hamilton by 17 points after the opening two races of the 2016\u00a0season.<\/p>\n RACE REPORT: Rosberg beats Raikkonen to win in\u00a0Bahrain<\/p>\n AS IT HAPPENED: Bahrain Grand Prix<\/p>\n GALLERY: Sakhir\u00a0podium<\/p>\n