Nico Rosberg says he goes into Bahrain Grand Prix in better shape than he started Chinese race

With his team having focused heavily on understanding tyres after two difficult races at the start of the season, Rosberg believes that Mercedes has reason to feel better prepared this time out that it did in Shanghai.

"I think we've definitely progressed with the set-up and things like that," he said. "I'm a little bit more confident. And I'm saying that about a race like here, where it's very, very hot. That definitely shows that we're moving forward.

"The car has generally been behaving well in these difficult conditions here, and also for these conditions, we've definitely progressed and moved forward. That's been good to see, and that's why I'm carefully optimistic for the race."

Rosberg could only manage fifth on the grid at Sakhir, after electing to do just one run in Q3 - and making a slight mistake at Turn 10.

"I expected to be a little bit further up," he said about qualifying. "The lock-up into Turn 10 didn't cost me lap-time, but that's the way it is.

"I think, relatively, we're going to be a bit stronger in the race than in qualifying, so that's what we're hoping and looking to do."