Nico Rosberg baffled by Malaysian GP tyre struggles

Australian Grand Prix winner Rosberg battled overheating rear tyres during the opening stint in Malaysia, allowing Hamilton to take control at the front and win by a comfortable margin.

Rosberg said he was still working with his Mercedes team to understand exactly why Hamilton had the advantage over him at the Sepang circuit.

"That's one thing we don't really understand yet," said Rosberg when asked by AUTOSPORT whether his tyre issues were down to driving style or set-up.

"I was taking care of them a lot and they were high, so we are still reviewing that.

"[There are] a lot of things on my side I can do better and things where there's still big question marks that we don't fully understand - some strange things going on that don't look right, in terms of tyre temperatures for example."

Championship leader Rosberg said he had still learned many lessons from the defeat to Hamilton in Malaysia, which he would put into trying to turn the tables in Bahrain this weekend.

"There's been a big analysis because I want to win - second is the first loser. I don't want to be a loser!" Rosberg added.

"[We're] reviewing everything, going into the detail with everything and taking out bits and pieces.

"I learned a lot, especially this morning after a big sit down with everybody.

"We're still analysing and there are some other things to work on to step it up again."