• Belgian Grand Prix

Weather leaves Rosberg frustrated

Nico Rosberg finished both sessions behind Michael Schumacher © Getty Images

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• Report:
• Alonso maintains form to finish fastest at drying Spa
  

• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
• |
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Nico Rosberg admitted Friday's practice for the Belgian Grand Prix had been frustrating for Mercedes as it struggled to get a number updates to work.

The team has had problems with its F-duct specifically since its introduction earlier this season and Rosberg said the mixed weather had made it even more difficult to iron out the issues. He ended the day 13th fastest after finishing behind team-mate Michael Schumacher in both sessions.

"It's been a difficult day for us as we have been trying to get our revised parts for the car to work," Rosberg said. "The weather conditions have complicated our programme and whilst we've tried a lot of different things, it's been tough to get any consistent feedback.

"I've suffered with understeer all day and really struggled with the balance on the wet tyres. The inters were better and it's difficult to say for the slicks really. I was quite far off with my car balance with the dry tyres so that didn't help. So a tricky start to the weekend for us and we need to sit down overnight and try to solve the problems."

Ross Brawn added that the problems with Rosberg's car would be sorted in time for qualifying.

"It was a very challenging day but then these types of changeable conditions may provide the opportunities that we can take advantage of this weekend. Nico's day was hindered by a few car issues which will be resolved by tomorrow."

Schumacher fared slightly better but said it would be an uphill battle from now on, as he faces a 10-place grid penalty after qualifying for his move on Rubens Barrichello in Hungary.

"It's obviously a beautiful feeling to be back on this track which is still great to drive," he said of Spa Francorchamps. "It's also beautiful because I have a lot of good memories linked to Spa. But this doesn't help a great deal with the situation that we are facing here and having a ten place penalty makes it difficult to go into the weekend with big hopes for a good result. The weather might help a little by mixing up the field and so I hope it does not change too much over the race weekend."

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