Q & A with Nico Rosberg

Nico Rosberg: "Brawn is quickest at the moment, then Toyota, and after that I think it's quite close between Red Bull and ourselves. It's looking quite good at the moment. I think we have an opportunity to qualify towards the front of the grid and score more good points."

Q. This is an important race, given that other teams can now run twin-deck diffusers?

NR: "It will take many races for the others to attempt to make their cars work with that kind of diffuser and it's not a given that they'll be able to make it work. It's not a fact that they will automatically be quicker - it's not that straightforward. It will take a whole lot of time and even then you can't be sure it'll work."

Q. Some might be able to do it, so you need to take advantage now?

NR: "I don't really see it that way. We need to go into the rest of the season thinking we're going to develop well and stay where we are, or even move up. It's not a matter of running scared or trying to take advantage now. That's not the way to look at it."

Q. Malaysia was the first time in 24 years that a Rosberg has led on merit in a Williams. How do you look back on that?

NR: "It was great. The performance was there after the start, too. We were pulling away and looking really good. That gave everyone in the team a boost. It didn't go our way in the end with the weather and all the rest of it, but we still scored points and can look forward to some more strong performances."

Q. Were you concerned about diffuser hearing?

NR: "Not really. I didn't understand too much about it but I'm very pleased with the outcome."

Q. Do you feel the car is consistent?

NR: "It is consistent and I feel we'll be consistent now for the remaining races - certainly in the near future, anyway. That's a big step forward from last year, simply because we understand [the car] and know what mistakes we made last year. Things are a lot better."

Q. Do you believe there's a strong chance Brawn will dominate the season?

NR: "A very strong chance, yeah... An extremely strong chance. The thing that must be said is that the development rate of this year's cars will be massive, because of the new rules. We put a part on and we'll be quicker from one weekend to the next, sometimes by two or three tenths. If you consider Brawn is maybe two tenths ahead of Toyota, that can disappear oh so quickly. Look a few months down the road and things might look a bit different."

Q. Is it a realistic ambition to continue going forward during the season?

NR: "We're tied for third best team with Red Bull, although maybe they are ever so slightly ahead of us. Realistically we're on for points, maybe fifth or sixth place or something. That would be decent and maybe we'll get a podium with a bit of luck."

Q. Do you think there can be enough development without testing?

NR: "Yes. Teams will just throw stuff onto their cars because the wind tunnel gives very clear indications of what works and what doesn't and the main developments throughout the season will be aerodynamic. Also, many teams are coming late with KERS and things like that. There are reliability issues with KERS, of course, so without testing that's a lot more difficult to put on the car."

Q. Any news on KERS?

NR: "No date, no."

Q. You were critical about twilight races after Australia.

NR: "I wasn't critical in general. Australia wasn't good because it was on the limit and it would be much better to start the race one hour earlier. That would improve things for everyone."

Q. Pedro de la Rosa says you are pushing for 4pm starts.

NR: "Malaysia is less of an issue - apart from the rain this time, which is a different issue, I guess. We just need to keep these things in mind, really. It's important to take on board the drivers' opinions, too. The danger was unnecessarily increased in Australia, partly because of the shadows and partly because you really can't see the edge of the circuit when the sun's right in your face."

Q. Are victories possible this year?

NR: "First we're hoping for some podiums. We shouldn't be talking about victories yet."

Q. But you showed in Sepang...

NR: "Yes, but even if the race had continued we'd have been second at best, because Jenson would have overtaken us - and I think Rubens too. It wouldn't be fair to say we were going to win."