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SINGAPORE: Nico Rosberg cut an agitated figure on Tuesday. The Williams' driver was supposed to carry good memories back to Singapore, after he finished second to Renault's Fernando Alonso at Formula 1's inaugural night race here last year.
Instead, he was frustrated, annoyed at what might have been, after the stunning news broke of Renault's successful mission to fix the race last year.
Speaking during a visit to the Peranakan Museum as part of an event by Williams team sponsor Oris, the 24-year-old told TODAY: "Actually, I won the race because the one who finished first cheated. (Now) it's the big Renault scandal.
"If we'd protested, I could have won the race last year, but that's too late now."
Although Nelson Piquet Jr, sacked by Renault in July after a lacklustre season, was granted immunity by the FIA for blowing the whistle on his former employers, Rosberg believes the Brazilian was let off too easily.
"It's a pity for the sport that something like that has happened. The people responsible have been kicked out and the sport will go on," he said.
"The only thing I don't quite understand is (why) Nelson Piquet Jr didn't get anything. For me, he's just as involved as the others because he is the one who actually did it and agreed to it."
The Renault scandal is the latest controversy to hit Formula 1, following such sordid episodes like "Spygate" and "Liegate". But Rosberg, son of 1982 Formula 1 world champion Keke Rosberg, took a philosophical view of the sport's troubles.
"There's a lot involved, a lot of money, a lot of expectations, a lot of sponsors, big names, big people, and everybody is trying to get the best out of it, and that's how you get into these problematic situations," the German said.
"There's always problems in sports, because there's so much involved. Even football, even with the problems of Chelsea. It's everywhere. People try to use the grey areas and sometimes it goes wrong. It's a part of life."
Since arriving on Sunday, the Wiesbaden-born Rosberg has managed a spot of shopping and sightseeing with his girlfriend Vivian Sibold. He had two podium finishes since making his debut for Williams in 2006, and is currently sixth in the drivers' championship with 30.5 points.
Rosberg wants to return to the Paddock's Parc Ferme this Sunday for another podium finish.
"The Singapore circuit's great to drive. What's difficult is the air," he said. "Because it's so humid and hot, it makes it very tough for us because of the helmet and the overalls, and it gets so hot you can't breathe very well. To be racing for one-and-a-half hours, it's one of the toughest races of the year."
- TODAY/rs
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