'Awesome' Hamilton still a formidable challenge - Rosberg

On the eve of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton resuming their forceful rivalry at Mercedes, and following the conclusion of pre-season testing in Barcelona, the German driver says he rearing to go and relishes the challenge to compete against his triple World Champion team mate.

Although he ended 2015 on a high with three consecutive wins, Rosberg has been left frustrated these last couple of years in the wake of Hamilton's dominance.

But battling out with his team mate is still a defiance he looks forward to, and perhaps this year more than ever given his end-of-season momentum.

"I wasn't permanently frustrated, Lewis just drove better, but I’m still enjoying it," Rosberg says.

"Going in to this season, in my life I’ve always liked to compete against people who have beaten me recently. So who have just been better than me in the recent past and to try and come back and beat them because that gives me even more pleasure.

"So that is what I am looking forward to this year. It is a great challenge, Lewis is driving at an awesome level. We have a great car so I'm sure there will be a lot of success this season and I'm looking forward to winning many races hopefully and we'll see how it goes."

While Hamilton was uncertain Mercedes' 2016 contender shared the same DNA as last year's victorious car, Rosberg feels the W06 will provide its drivers with everything necessary to keep them on a roll.

"It’s a big step, the new car. The tyres are slightly difference as well, everything, so we all start from zero.

"Of course what I have is the positive memories from the end of last year, a positive winter testing as well so it's better to have that than not going in to the first race.

"So I have a good feeling, but still everybody starts from zero."

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