Nico Rosberg confident of performing better than Schumacher in 2012 – Formula 1 news
Nico Rosberg is confident he will have the edge over his veteran seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in 2012.
Mercedes took over from Brawn GP and hired Rosberg and Schumacher as their drivers in 2010. It was a comeback year for the veteran and a big move for a relatively young driver in Rosberg.
Schumacher was always going to overshadow his less experienced countryman, but Rosberg has been on the look out to outdo his much praised seven time world champion team-mate.
Rosberg scored 142 points in 2010 with a best finish of 3rd place and three podiums while Schumacher scored 72 points with a best finish of 4th place and no podiums. 2011 saw Schumacher close in on that gap as he scored 76 points with a best place finish
of 4th and no podiums, while Rosberg scored 89 points finished with a best place finish of 5th and no podiums.
It is still considered that the front line driver for Mercedes is Schumacher as he works with the team to develop a car than can compete to win titles.
Rosberg also said that Schumacher has closed in on the gap but mentioned that the DRS and the Pirelli tyres were the main reason behind it.
“He closed the gap to me in the championship standings compared with 2010, but a lot of that reduction was down to the tyres and the DRS, which made overtaking more possible,” he told the February issue of Car magazine in an interview alongside Mika Hakkinen.
“Qualifying lost a lot of its importance in 2011 and that was the main explanation. But Michael also raised his game; he upped his performance.”
“At the start of last year I had a lot of respect towards him, but it's settled down now. We're on an even playing field and it's much more easygoing,” he added.
Mercedes are all set to unveil their new car at the second pre-season test on February 21, 2012 at Barcelona. It will give a clearer picture of how the team will stand up to the other teams on the grid.
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