Rosberg primed for Hamilton rematch at Mercedes

Nico Rosberg is determined to bounce back from his 2014 disappointment and take on the challenge to knock reigning world champion and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton off the top spot.

Last year’s runner-up initially led the championship for a long time before faltering over the season’s final stretch where Hamilton won six of the last seven races.

Despite being generally the fastest driver on Saturdays – he outscored Hamilton 11-7 in qualifying – Rosberg only claimed five victories to the Briton’s 11. The 29-year-old German still managed to stay in the title hunt until the Abu Dhabi showdown thanks to his great consistency.

In the pair’s renewed battle, Rosberg was already able to find fresh impetus at the final pre-season test where he set a time that was 0.3s quicker than Hamilton’s fastest effort.

“I have focussed on pushing myself even harder for the rematch with Lewis,” said Rosberg ahead of the F1 season opener in Melbourne. “In the end, it comes down to who can put the best season together overall and I have to make sure it's the other way around this time.

“Having said that, my team-mate is just one of many strong competitors who I have to beat if I want to be World Champion, so I'm just focussed on being the absolute best I can be.

“I now know the feeling of winning races and I intend to do a lot more of that - but I also know the feeling of not winning in the end and I don't intend to repeat that experience. It's a huge motivation for me and gives me even more determination for 2015.

One thing Rosberg is keener to repeat is his 2014 Australian Grand Prix success where he sailed to victory after Hamilton’s efforts were curtailed early because of an engine issue.

Click here for the gallery from day four of the final test

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