Nico Rosberg sounded more confident after testing some of Mercedes’ upgrade package for the start of the 2011 season.<\/p>\n
Team figures had said the W02 is a second off the leading pace, insisting however that the launch model was “basic” and would be substantially improved.<\/p>\n
Part of the race package was debuted by Rosberg in Barcelona on Wednesday, including a new exhaust layout and bodywork.<\/p>\n
He was four seconds off world champion Sebastian Vettel’s best time but Mercedes said the package performed “as predicted”.<\/p>\n
“We had glimpses that showed that the full package should be a big step,” said the German driver.<\/p>\n
Bild newspaper said that when Michael Schumacher drives the car on Thursday, it will also be featuring new front and rear wings.<\/p>\n
“Then we will see the true strength of the car,” said Rosberg.<\/p>\n
Other German reports said the sidepods and brake ducts are also new.\u00a0 “I am hopeful because I know what other parts are still to come,” confirmed Rosberg.<\/p>\n
“I had plenty of fuel in the tank all day,” he said after Wednesday’s running when asked about the deficit to the Red Bull-owned cars at the head of the field.<\/p>\n
“They are doing strong times.\u00a0 I don’t want to say that we can beat them but we are going to improve,” added Rosberg.<\/p>\n
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