Nico Rosberg is hopeful that Mercedes have overcome tyre degradation problems during opening practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Mercedes driver reckons W03 "going better" on long runs
Nico Rosberg is hopeful that Mercedes have overcome the tyre degradation problems they suffered to corrosive effect in Melbourne after a strong display in Friday's practice sessions in Malaysia.
Together with team-mate Michael Schumacher, Rosberg put in two long stints during the second of the day's sessions at Sepang, where degradation is a particular problem in temperatures which can touch 50 degrees Celsius on track.
Rosberg, who could only finish 12th in the Australian Grand Prix last weekend after also suffering a puncture on the final lap, said the conditions meant that degradation remained an issue but thinks that set-up changes to the W03 might have brought a relative improvement.
"It was a very interesting day, especially just with the tyres," said Rosberg, who was third and fourth fastest respectively in the day's sessions. "It's so hot out there - the tyres are overheating, so that definitely makes it very interesting. We're working towards the race especially, trying to improve the race.
"In general, I think it's been working out today. I think it's been going better on the long runs but I'm not really sure yet, I'll have to compare it to the other people and everything. From qualifying the pace should be okay.
Rosberg added of Mercedes' issue with tyre degradation: "We've addressed it for sure. It's obvious setup-wise, definitely. But I don't know how we compare to the others, I need to have a look at the lap times.
"We're going to struggle, but everybody's going to struggle and it's just important that we do it a little bit better."
Tough conditions
With Mercedes' form in Melbourne tailing off after a strong showing from both drivers in qualifying, Rosberg is confident their pace over a single lap will remain just as competitive this weekend.
"I think we'll be somewhere up there near the top," he said. "Again, I'm not really sure what the other people were doing now but in general qualifying is not a concern for us. It's been more the race."
With drivers expected to lose as much as three kilograms in bodyweight during Sunday's race, Rosberg also shrugged off the high temperatures they are currently experiencing.
"It is very hot out there but that's why I've trained so much in the winter, to cope with exactly these conditions," he added. "It's okay; it's tough but as long as I drink the right amount and have my drink in my car and everything, it's all right."
