De la Rosa downplays tyre advantage

An analysis carried out by Bridgestone suggested after winter testing that the Sauber C29 is very good at looking after its tyres, something that will be crucial this year, with refuelling banned.

But de la Rosa reckons the conditions during testing have been very different to those the team will face in Bahrain.

"I don't think the tyre information is that relevant, because we come from winter testing where temperatures were very low, and now we come to the reality," de la Rosa told reporters in Bahrain.

"So I think the way we use the tyres will change dramatically from the way it was in Barcelona, for example. So we have to be open-minded. We really don't know where the competitors are.

"We can only judge by what I feel and looking at the data on our car. We are quite happy with the tests that we've done."

The Spanish driver said, however, that his team is determined to push as hard as possible to spring a surprise this weekend.

"We will push. We are here to improve," he said. "I'm not sure if we will manage it or not, but we have the motivation to do it. But honestly I don't know where the competitors are.

"I have no idea which teams will be quicker with a 50-degree track temperature. I'm very open-minded and I'll take it just step by step."

De la Rosa, returning to racing after seven years as McLaren's tester, said he was relaxed ahead of the first race of the season.

"It feels good. I'm very happy to be back, to be honest. Relaxed, as well, probably because for me being here is already like I won a grand prix. It's been a tough winter, long, difficult, so I'm relaxed in that sense."