Auto123.com asked Nico Rosberg a few questions less than a week prior to the opening round of the 2014 Formula 1 season in Australia.
The Mercedes AMG W05 driven by Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton set some very fast lap times in testing while being quite reliable, especially in Bahrain.
Rosberg stressed that the W05 is not (yet) bulletproof.
“It is a whole new car; even the steering wheel has been completely redone with new buttons, switches, and screen. In general, we are happy with the testing. We’re looking good. Reliability is still a concern, we’re not at 100% yet. It’s going to be a big challenge. The W05 is made up of about 3,500 different components. All these parts can go wrong, even little things such as plastic caps and bolts. If they fail, they can ruin an entire weekend. It’s nearly impossible to ensure that they’re all 100% reliable,” Rosberg said.
Question: What’s going to be your biggest challenge this year?
Nico Rosberg: Integrating all the procedures: We can adjust so many things now. We have a brake-by-wire system at the rear, and I can adjust it from my steering wheel. It has a major impact on the balance of the car from the braking point to mid-corner. We can have perfect braking force and balance with that system. The challenge will be to drive at the limit while adjusting all these things.
Q: Did you have to change your driving style?
Rosberg: The biggest difference comes from the turbo lag. It takes a bit of time for the most horsepower to arrive. The rest is a bit like last year, but with more low-rev torque. But now I have to drive to save fuel. I lift my foot off the throttle 100m before the braking point and I coast until I hit the brake pedal. This saves fuel without hurting lap times.
Q: Last year, the Mercedes AMG team was good in qualifying but was facing tire trouble during the actual races. Have you found a cure for that?
Rosberg: Last year, everything was related to the tires. We understand them much better this year. It’s a moving target, however, and it’s tough to always be right. The biggest challenge this year will come from fuel consumption. If you have a powerful engine that burns too much fuel, you’re going to have to slow down.
Q: Mercedes AMG is a clear favourite for this year’s title, right?
Rosberg: Everyone’s saying that we’re the favourites. I focus on my job. I’ve been with this team since day one, and I can see the progress we’ve accomplished. We are much better prepared than we were on this day last year. I hope to win more races in 2014.
Q: What’s your opinion on F1 going “green” with this new turbo-hybrid powerplant?
Rosberg: Formula 1 must get closer to the automobile industry. F1 must be “greener” and use less fuel. We must push in that direction. We have amazing batteries in the car that are incredibly small and powerful. This year we have roughly the same amount of power as last year while burning 33% less fuel. For me, that’s the way to go.
The Mercedes AMG W05 driven by Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton set some very fast lap times in testing while being quite reliable, especially in Bahrain.
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| Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
Rosberg stressed that the W05 is not (yet) bulletproof.
“It is a whole new car; even the steering wheel has been completely redone with new buttons, switches, and screen. In general, we are happy with the testing. We’re looking good. Reliability is still a concern, we’re not at 100% yet. It’s going to be a big challenge. The W05 is made up of about 3,500 different components. All these parts can go wrong, even little things such as plastic caps and bolts. If they fail, they can ruin an entire weekend. It’s nearly impossible to ensure that they’re all 100% reliable,” Rosberg said.
Question: What’s going to be your biggest challenge this year?
Nico Rosberg: Integrating all the procedures: We can adjust so many things now. We have a brake-by-wire system at the rear, and I can adjust it from my steering wheel. It has a major impact on the balance of the car from the braking point to mid-corner. We can have perfect braking force and balance with that system. The challenge will be to drive at the limit while adjusting all these things.
 |
| Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
Q: Did you have to change your driving style?
Rosberg: The biggest difference comes from the turbo lag. It takes a bit of time for the most horsepower to arrive. The rest is a bit like last year, but with more low-rev torque. But now I have to drive to save fuel. I lift my foot off the throttle 100m before the braking point and I coast until I hit the brake pedal. This saves fuel without hurting lap times.
Q: Last year, the Mercedes AMG team was good in qualifying but was facing tire trouble during the actual races. Have you found a cure for that?
Rosberg: Last year, everything was related to the tires. We understand them much better this year. It’s a moving target, however, and it’s tough to always be right. The biggest challenge this year will come from fuel consumption. If you have a powerful engine that burns too much fuel, you’re going to have to slow down.
Q: Mercedes AMG is a clear favourite for this year’s title, right?
Rosberg: Everyone’s saying that we’re the favourites. I focus on my job. I’ve been with this team since day one, and I can see the progress we’ve accomplished. We are much better prepared than we were on this day last year. I hope to win more races in 2014.
Q: What’s your opinion on F1 going “green” with this new turbo-hybrid powerplant?
Rosberg: Formula 1 must get closer to the automobile industry. F1 must be “greener” and use less fuel. We must push in that direction. We have amazing batteries in the car that are incredibly small and powerful. This year we have roughly the same amount of power as last year while burning 33% less fuel. For me, that’s the way to go.