Rosberg targets points finish on Sunday

Rosberg, one of only four drivers to reach the Q3 top ten shoot-out in all seven races so far this season, will start ninth and admitted that he was struggling for balance with the Williams FW31.

He suggested that switching between the two tyre compounds had contributed to the problem.

"Since we have a good race car, we will be targeting points, which is important for us as a team," said Rosberg.

"It really wasn't easy to choose between the soft and the hard compound to do your fastest lap on today, or to keep a balanced car while changing between the two. I ended up with some understeer and maybe a lost a position because of that."

"But I'm on the clean side of the grid tomorrow, which will help us to get a good start and maybe gain some positions."

Williams technical director Sam Michael admitted that Rosberg's performance in Q3 had been disappointing, but expects both the German and team-mate Kazuki Nakajima, who will start 12th, to fight for points.

He added that he was satisfied with the minor aero improvements introduced by the team for this race.

"When the fuel went in for Nico's Q3 run, we weren't quite as strong as we wanted to be," said Michael. "But we'll find out what fuel loads everyone else will be running later this evening.

"I'm sure both drivers will be in a position to fight for points from their grid slots though. We didn't have any reliability issues and the improvements we've made to the car are working."