Q & A with Nico Rosberg

Nico Rosberg completed 53 laps at Jerez and finished today seventh on the timesheet. He had a largely trouble-free run, although there were only a handful of dry laps first thing this morning

He shared his thoughts on the test and the Mercedes car with AUTOSPORT, before he hands over to team-mate Michael Schumacher for the final day of running tomorrow.

Q. What's your verdict from today, other than wet?

Nico Rosberg: It was a pity to be wet again because I am eager to get some dry running in. But that's the way it is. We still got some valuable things done, like pitstop practice and all the procedures. That's difficult when you change from one team to another, there are so many new switches to learn - it's like rocket science and you have to get into that.

So that's been good, and I think in the wet now I am pretty comfortable. I kept it on the road which is important because spare parts are a bit short at this time of year and things like that.

Other than that, one positive thing was that I did four laps in the dry two days ago and a half a lap today and I felt massively comfortable. I could push and really feel at home. That's something that really gives me comfort, so I'm not worrying that I haven't driven a lot in the dry yet because I feel it will take me two laps and I've got it.

Q. There are new parts to come, but are you happy with where the car is so far?

NR: Yes. It's difficult to judge but I'm pretty comfortable at the moment. And confident that wherever we are, we can progress strongly. I begin to see in the team that it's a strong push they have in terms of improving the car performance, it's very impressive. It's difficult to say where we are, but more or less you can judge it. I think we'll be close to the front for sure, but if it's enough to win or not, we'll have to wait and see.

Q. Can you say on which points the car needs to be improved?

NR: It's aerodynamical, that's where it is - just because we don't have the proper race spec here which we'll have in Bahrain, that will be another big step. That's the main thing now and also through the season.

Q. What happened this morning when the car stopped?

NR: Ran out of fuel. Purposely ran out of fuel, you have to do that to check how much remains once the engine goes off. If you stop and there are still 10 litres in the tank, then you constructed it badly.

Q. Ross and Michael have suggested it might be a short way into the season before we see the best of this team this year. Would you agree with that assessment?

NR: It's possible, yes. It's difficult to judge, again, but it's possible. What gives me hope is that I see a strong potential to progress quickly from wherever we are, and that's nice.