Rosberg: Mercedes will adapt to tyres

Michael Schumacher struggled with what team principal Ross Brawn described as a "weak" front tyre during the season, something that also did not suit Rosberg's driving style.

But despite finding that the characteristics of the new-for-2011 Pirelli tyres are similar to the Bridgestones, Rosberg is optimistic that the team can adapt to them.

"I'm confident that they will be able to make some good and more fundamental changes to the new car to suit the Pirellis," Rosberg told AUTOSPORT. "It will require a few changes as they are different to the Bridgestones in various respects."

Rosberg added that the team gained a good understanding of the behaviour of the tyre during the two-day test in Abu Dhabi, during which he drove on the first day.

"The team did a great engineering job adjusting to the tyres with the set-up options that are available at the track," he said. "We have generally understood the tyres well after just two days of testing."