Nico Rosberg believes his Mercedes AMG PETRONAS team have stepped up their game once more in 2016, but believes Ferrari will be a real threat to them this season.
Rosberg was victorious in the opening race of the season in Australia two weekends ago, but was forced to play second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel during the first half of the Grand Prix before choosing a superior strategy to jump his fellow German and take the victory.
“We’ve stepped up our game once again with a fantastic car,” said Rosberg. “But Ferrari were a real threat all weekend in Melbourne and it’s clear that we’ve got a big battle on our hands, so we have to keep pushing very hard.
“It’s Bahrain next – a track which always seems to provide entertainment for me! I’ve had some great battles there in the last two years with Lewis and also the Ferraris, so I’m expecting more of the same this time and very much looking forward to that.
“It was great to win the first race – but the aim is to come out on top at every step of the way this season, starting this weekend. There’s a long way to go…”
Rosberg also believes it is important for Formula 1’s rule makers to listen to the fans, after praising the introduction of the new radio rules at the Australian Grand Prix.
“The new radio rules make things quite a big challenge,” said Rosberg. “It’s tough out there – and for me it’s a good direction we’ve taken, giving the drivers more responsibility.
“The important thing is whether it’s what the fans want to see, so we need to listen to them.”
