Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg has brushed off the suggestion he is now the team's number one driver ahead of Michael Schumacher.
German youngster simply happy to defy expectations
Although Nico Rosberg outperformed Mercedes GP team-mate Michael Schumacher once again in the Chinese Grand Prix, he has brushed off the suggestion he is now the team's number one driver.
The 24-year-old German finished third in Shanghai with the seven-times world champion trailing home 10th having once again failed to match his team-mate during the weekend.
As a result of his performance on Sunday, Rosberg has also climbed into second place in the drivers' championship behind race winner Jenson Button.
It also means he has now finished ahead of Schumacher in each of the four races held so far, although Rosberg was quick to put paid to the notion he was now the team leader.
Instead, Rosberg said he was simply happy to defy general expectations whilst also earning the team's respect.
"From the very beginning we have been even in the team, even though everyone saw Michael as number one and me as number two," said Rosberg, who led during the early laps of Sunday's race.
"Before the season I was hoping to be on one level with Michael all year, but I expect him to be there again next race and to be fighting with him would be great, and would be good for the team as well."
Rosberg, son of former world champion Keke, joined the defending constructors' champions from Williams late last year - before Button's departure to McLaren paved the way for Schumacher's return.
"Of course I'm very, very happy with how things are going for me, I'm starting to get really consistent results, making the best of it. So I'm really pleased with my season so far," he said.
"It's nice, I'm bonding well with the whole team. It's important for me to work hard to get some respect within the team as soon as possible and I think I've managed to do that."
Although the team, then known as Brawn GP, were cleaning up this time 12 months ago, they have so far struggled to match the pace set by McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari.
However, Rosberg, who has yet to win a race in 74 grands prix, feels they are making progress.
"We've made a step in the right direction this weekend," he said. "There's more to come from the team so it's really good to be heading into the European season with some strong results and second place in the drivers' championship."
One of those races
Having qualified ninth, Schumacher was left to lament "one of those races that you do not want to remember".
The 41-year-old fought with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa during the race but struggled with his tyres as it progressed.
"It was not good for me and not good from me," Schumacher admitted.
"You have to take it as another experience and accept it even if it is frustrating that I was not able to get my tyres together better.
"My strategy in that respect was not very impressive as in the last 10 laps my tyres were just gone and seemed to be more slicks than intermediates.
"In general I had some good and tight fights which was fun but with my last stop being probably too early, in the end I just couldn't do anything and my fights were quite hopeless then."
