Nico Rosberg says he is entering this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix “fired up”, as he looks to close the gap to Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Last year’s runner-up has experienced a mixed start to his 2015 campaign.
While Rosberg has notched up four podium finishes in as many events, the 29-year-old is yet to defeat Hamilton either in qualifying or on race day.
The German currently holds second position in the drivers’ standings and trails the defending champion by 27 points. Rosberg is also under threat from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who sits only one point adrift in third.
Rosberg’s frustration began to show in China when he openly criticised Hamilton’s tactics in the FIA press conference held after the race. Although Kimi Raikkonen pipped him for second place in Bahrain a week later, the Mercedes driver feels he answered some of his critics at Sakhir, especially in terms of racecraft.
Rosberg now looks to extend the momentum into round five of this year's championship.
“The race in Bahrain was definitely the most enjoyable of the season for me so far,” said the son of 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg. “It was a really good fight out there and it gave me the chance to show what I can do in a close battle.
“I'm feeling really fired up for the next races knowing I have all the tools available to me for a strong performance. It's felt like a long break and I can't wait to get back out there in Barcelona.
“The circuit itself really tests every element of the car - especially the aero - so it will be interesting to see how each team has developed since we last came here in the winter and also to see who has brought the most upgrades since the last race. I know our guys have been working mega hard at the factory, so let's see what we've got!”
Although he’s never won at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Rosberg came mighty close last year when he finished a mere 0.6s behind Hamilton.
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