Korean GP: Nico Rosberg sees 'big chance' for improving Mercedes

As part of Mercedes' renewed push forward following the introduction of its downwashed-exhausts in Singapore, Rosberg will start ninth on the grid at Yeongam with Michael Schumacher one place further back.

And although Rosberg concedes that his team is not able to challenge the main title contenders, he reckons it can still finish higher in Sunday's race.

"Lately we have been similar qualifying [pace] to the race, so it is not so easy for us to move forward - but of course we will try and take the opportunity," Rosberg said.

"With a good start and a good strategy, moving up a couple of places is possible. And, if we can target top seven, that will be a very good position for where we are at the moment."

Rosberg believes the chances of making progress in the race could be boosted by the good speed his car has shown in the first sector of the lap - which is made up of two long straights.

"We were fastest in sector one," he said. "Maybe it will help a little bit with overtaking. It can only be a benefit.

"Overtaking should be possible tomorrow because the tyres are on the edge. There will a lot of graining on the front and degradation on the rear, so things could get very interesting."