Rosberg confident Mercedes can unlock secrets of 2012 Pirellis

The German is the highest scoring driver from the last four races, with a run of form that has seen him emerge as a dark horse contender for the world championship.

And although the team is still playing down its prospects of the title, Rosberg is bullish that even better performance is on the horizon for his team in terms of getting the most out of the tyres.

"We have very clever people in the team looking at that and coming up with ideas," said Rosberg about the difficulties of understanding the Pirelli tyres. "I think we can do really well in that area and get the most out of it soon.

"Of course there are still question marks and things because it's really complex, but I think we can understand it quickly. Also, Monaco last season was one of our worst races, this year it was one of our best. It's just because we've learned."

Rosberg says he is not dreaming yet about a genuine championship fight, with his focus being firmly on just individual races.

"I don't think that much about it," he explained. "In Monaco I had the best car of everybody. I just think about the next race.

"It's a nice period at the moment because we come into each race with such a good car. I come into the race thinking I can get a really top result and that is a nice feeling to have. That is all I think about: the next race, and trying to win here."

Rosberg's team-mate Michael Schumacher thinks the team's title prospects will only become clear over the next few races.

When asked by AUTOSPORT about title chances on the back of Rosberg's recent results, Schumacher said: "They are nice statistics, and indeed Nico is in terms of points absolutely in the ballpark, but the next races will show whether we can stay there, or whether development goes maybe against us.

"I don't think we will find out within this race but the future races will show a little bit the direction."

Although Rosberg's title chances are not clear yet, Schumacher is convinced that his own challenge is effectively over - after a run of poor reliability has left him with just two points.

"I said right from the beginning of the season that this year will not be a season that we fight for the championship," he said. "I might be wrong because Nico has proven to still be in the game. But it is still a long year, so we will find out if that is the case or is not the case, but in my terms with two points I don't need to think about the title right now."