A year that started brightly for Mercedes' Nico Rosberg ended in ruins a🎀s a puncture consigned him to a lowly fifteenth place finish in Sao Paulo.

F1 2012 has seen the high point of Rosberg's career so far ♊with his maiden win in China, however recent races have more often been plumbing the lowest depths of disappointment, and a dramatic puncture ended any hopes of a points-finish in a chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix.

Rosberg came into the pits four times in all as the weather at the Interlagos circuit kept everyone guessi💖ng, and the young German seemed keen to forget the ordeal once the race was over.

"That was definite🎃ly the longest race of my life today!" he said. "The start was pretty good, and I wa💎s running in the top eight. After the puncture however, there was damage to the floor and I lost a lot of performance, so unfortunately I had no chance to fight back from there.

"It must hav🌄e been a fantastic race for the fans here i🍨n Interlagos and watching on the TV and I hope they enjoyed the show."

As 2012 has gone on, Rosberg has slipped down the points table to an eventual ninth place, and whilst congratulating his World Championship winning compatriot, S🔯ebastian Vettel, he indicated he is aiming higher next year when he is joined at Mercedes by Britain's Lewis Hamilton.

"Co🍌ngratulations to Sebastian on the world title which is very well deserved," he said. "For myself, I am now looking forward to next year and the chance to attack again. Many thanks to the team for all of t♍heir efforts this year which saw our first win together, and we can look forward to making further progress and a better 2013."

by Philip Barclay