Nico Rosberg confident Mercedes can maintain its form into Monza

Last weekend at Spa, Rosberg and team-mate Michael Schumacher both finished in the top six for the first time this year and, with their W02 well-suited to the high-speed nature of Monza, they are upbeat about their prospects for the next race.

Rosberg said: "I'm really looking forward to the weekend in Monza. We learned at the last race in Spa that our car can be competitive at high-speed tracks, and we definitely took a step forward there.

"I am confident that we can do that again in Italy next weekend. I visited the factory this week and I'm quite happy with how things are working out there."

Schumacher added: "We achieved a good team result in Spa last weekend, and I especially enjoyed the overtaking battles and the challenge of making up so many places during the race. This gives us a boost going into the final part of the season, and we will continue pushing hard to get the best possible results."

Team principal Ross Brawn said that the team had reason to be optimistic heading to Monza, as it bids to further cement its fourth place position in the constructors' championship.

"Coming off the back of our best result of the season in Spa, we are looking forward to the weekend and to finishing the European season on a high," he said. "With the emphasis jointly on engine power and aerodynamic efficiency, we have the benefit of our Mercedes-Benz engine and, as always for Monza, we will run a special low-downforce aerodynamic package to minimise drag on the long straights."