Mercedes not yet ready to win – Rosberg

Nico Rosberg has played down boss Ross Brawn’s claim that he is close to winning his first grand prix.

The 24-year-old German has outpaced teammate Michael Schumacher at every race in 2010 so far, finished the last two grands prix on the podium, and is second in the drivers’ championship.

“Nico is very close to winning a race,” Brawn said, ahead of a substantial car upgrade for the weekend’s Spanish grand prix.

But Rosberg told the German news agency DPA: “It would be nice, but we must be realistic.

“At Mercedes we are not yet in a position to win, but in the coming weeks we should make some big steps and I’m hoping to make good progress.”

As for the W01 winning in Barcelona this weekend, he insisted: “That would be expecting too much.  But I do hope we can narrow the gap to Red Bull.”

Rosberg said earlier this season that, with F1’s most famous driver occupying the other side of the garage, he is being very careful with his words in 2010.

When asked on Monday if he is surprised to find himself as Mercedes’ number one, he answered: “So far I’m very pleased with how my season has gone.

“I am especially happy to be second in the championship.  I’m happy to have been ahead of Michael so far, but it is still too early to make comparisons.”

Asked if he knows why he is faster than Schumacher, Rosberg said: “No.  I only know that I have a good feeling with the car and am able to get a lot out of it.”

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