• Mercedes

Rosberg confident of progress with race starts

Nico Rosberg believes he should have put his start-line problems behind him in Monaco as he looks to wrestle the championship initiative back from Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg heads to his unofficial home race having relinquished the championship lead to Hamilton in Spain, knowing he is yet to beat his team-mate over a race distance this season. One of the main issues facing Rosberg has been his slow getaways off the line, having failed to beat Hamilton into Turn 1 for four races on the trot, though both Mercedes drivers worked on this issue during this week's in-season test in Barcelona.

Rosberg is confident he will see progress off the line at Monaco, as well with his problems under braking.

"The championship battle is very close and to re-gain the advantage at my home race would be fantastic, so I'll be pushing harder than ever to make that happen," Rosberg said. "I had a productive day of testing in Barcelona where we made some good progress with braking and starts: two areas that I feel are costing me time at the moment. Hopefully that will give me the extra edge next weekend. It should be an exciting weekend and I can't wait to get started."

Though he arrives on the back foot Rosberg is sure his victory at Monaco last season will set him in good stead on his return.

"Monaco: my home town! Obviously, I associate many wonderful memories with this place. It's where I grew up and where I now live as an adult.

"But in sporting terms too, I have had some great moments there: in particular last year when I won there for the first time in my Formula One career. That was an absolutely incredible feeling. Driving a Formula One car there is simply fantastic and it's an event every driver looks forward to each year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.