German couldn't find a set-up he liked in Hungary; However, team-mate Hamilton expects temperature to change car balance
Monday 27 July 2015 14:20, UK
Nico Rosberg admits he was left 'chasing his tail' as he struggled to find a balanced set-up which suited him during Friday practice in Hungary.
The Mercedes driver was outpaced by team-mate Lewis Hamilton in both sessions and in P2 was demoted to fourth by both Red Bull cars.
"I didn't find the balance in the car," Rosberg told Sky Sports News HQ.
"[I had] A lot of understeer: it went from oversteer to understeer, a bit difficult to explain so always chasing my tail in a way. I wasn't very happy with that so just need to work on that tomorrow.
"Tomorrow morning is qualifying practice so I've got enough time to get into it and sort it out. Race pace was very good."
However, with temperatures set to rise again on Saturday before falling substantially for race day, there is a danger that continuing to chase set-up could lead Rosberg up a blind alley.
Certainly Hamilton expects the changing temperatures to affect the handling of the W06, telling Sky Sports News HQ: "I think being cooler will change the balance of the car, but we are looking pretty good at the moment."
The reigning world champion has the chance to make history this weekend with a fifth win in Hungary, surpassing the record he jointly holds with Michael Schumacher of four victories in Budapest.
"I'm not really looking at any records. This should be a really good circuit for me - it always has been - so I'm very much on maximising and capitalising on that," Hamilton added.
"This might be my favourite track, potentially. It's fun because it's swapping and changing all the time. It's bumpy. It's really old school."
Despite Red Bull appearing Hamilton's to be nearest challengers, Rosberg doesn't expect them to remain in such a lofty position for qualifying, predicting a straight fight between the Mercedes cars.
"I still think we have our advantage," the German said. "But they seem to be quite close."
