ico Rosberg is looking for Mercedes to continue their upward trend after admitting to so far riding “a rollercoaster of emotions” this season.
The first two races in Australia and Malaysia were tortuous for all concerned within a team who had started the season with high hopes of pushing the leading lights at Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.
But in the last grand prix in China, the German manufacturing giant appeared to make significant strides, with Rosberg qualifying a highly-creditable fourth, his best performance for 18 races
During the race in Shanghai, the 25-year-old even led at one stage, albeit a slight distortion given the variable race strategies that were employed, en route to finishing fifth.
Nevertheless, it was a noteworthy moment for Mercedes, and one they are naturally eager to build upon as they look to challenge at the front on a far more regular, and much anticipated basis.
“We had a more difficult start to 2011 than we had expected,” said Rosberg ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix.
“The first three races felt a little like a rollercoaster of emotions.
“We were all disappointed in Melbourne and Malaysia but, after leading the race in Shanghai, we have confirmed the potential of our car.
“The team did a very good job to take a step forward and we learned a lot from that weekend.
“Hopefully we can now make a further step for Turkey and produce another positive performance.”
Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug has confirmed the team’s aim now is to consolidate their level of performance in Turkey before building on it later this month in Spain and Monaco.
Echoing Haug’s words, team principal Ross Brawn has revealed there has been no let-up over the past few weeks during a mini-break for the sport.
“The team and drivers have worked extremely hard in the short break before the European season begins to ensure we continue to move forward,” said Brawn.
“We have a fundamentally good car and we need to achieve its full potential in the races to come.
“The Chinese Grand Prix reminded everyone at the team what it is like to fight for a race.
“We didn’t succeed on that occasion, but it’s a feeling we would like to experience more often.
“The first three races have been a challenge, but we have pulled together and will continue working hard to make progress.”
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