Nico Rosberg says that he’s determined to go one better after finishing runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in last year’s Formula One world championship.
“Last year was an experience which has motivated me for this year,” said the Mercedes driver. “I want to make the championship this season. It’s my big dream to be the F1 world champion and it’s very likely I will get another opportunity to get it this year.”
Rosberg conceded that Hamilton deserved last year’s title as Mercedes dominated the season from start to finish.
“Lewis was a little bit stronger than me last year. He’s been working on himself during the winter and I have been working on myself during the winter. I’m not at my peak Formula One performance just yet. I think I have a little bit of room left to improve and come on stronger.
“Being a F1 driver is multi-faceted. It’s not just about turning the steering wheel in the best possible way. It’s outside the car too, having your whole life around you sorted so that you are focused and have the energy to do the perfect job in the car. It’s working together with the team and understanding the engineering of the car and the technology of the car.
“There are so many things on the car this year that we all need to get our heads round. All these things come together.
“We are confident of the job that we’ve done. We have a strong team. It’s fair to say that we are the best in F1. We are the ones to beat. But we know the others will be pushing hard after making big steps.”
Last year Rosberg often had the beating of Hamilton in qualifying but struggled to match his team-mate on Sunday afternoon.
“The aim is to keep the qualifying the same, which gives me a lot of hope, and to improve my racing,” he said. “Having to beat a driver in the same team makes it more difficult. You have to compromise and put the team first. That’s the big challenge.”
