• European Grand Prix - FP2

Rosberg bullish about Mercedes' updates

Nico Rosberg set the pace in first practice © Getty Images

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• Drivers:
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Nico Rosberg is "sure" Mercedes has made a step forward with its most recent updates to the W01 for the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

Mercedes is one of three teams running a blown diffuser for the first time this weekend, which uses exhaust gases to extract more downforce from the diffuser. Rosberg, who was fastest in the morning session and fourth in the afternoon, said the team had analysed the new system and was pleased with the results.

"We've had a productive day and I am feeling comfortable in the car although the tyres were a challenge again with graining and various issues," he said. "The option didn't seem to work well but it was the same for everyone and we made the most of it. The team has done a good job on our upgrades and I'm sure that they have improved our competitiveness. We have a few bits and pieces to resolve overnight but we are on the right track which is nice to see. We know that our race pace is better than our qualifying performance at the moment so if we can get our qualifying right, we should make good progress this weekend."

His team-mate Michael Schumacher didn't fare so well, finishing the second session down in 11th place on his first visit to the Valencia street circuit. He said he had struggled to nail a single lap but was more confident about the car's race pace.

"It was exciting to drive the track for the first time today, probably even to a bigger extent than I had anticipated yesterday after checking it. So this morning for me was mostly about getting a feeling for the track" Schumacher said. "You need to get used to it but I found it quite comfortable to drive even if some of the corners are blind. However it's demanding to get the real rhythm which I have not totally found over one lap yet. The long runs went okay and all in all it was not too bad today, depending on the fuel loads obviously which we need to look into more deeply now."

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