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Rosberg 'confident' he'll beat Schumacher

Nico Rosberg says that he is "confident" that he will beat Michael Schumacher once again in 2012.

Rosberg has finished ahead of his illustrious team-mate in both of their seasons together so far, but Schumacher closed the gap significantly in 2011 to only finish 13 points behind in the drivers' championship. When asked by ESPNF1 if he could see that trend continuing this year, Rosberg said he was aware Schumacher was improving but felt he would still have the beating of him.

"For sure he had a stronger season last year," Rosberg said. "Amongst other things I think that was also the rule changes that helped him with that. It's always going to be tough and challenging against him and that's what makes it exciting. But then again I'm confident that I can stay ahead this year."

After the new W03 was launched on Tuesday, Rosberg refused to set any bold targets but insisted the team had to show signs of closing the gap to Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

"For me it's very clear that we need to start our progress of upward trend now. And I think we're on a very good path towards that, especially in the factory; you can feel that the whole organisation is strengthened. Things are working better, people are working better together, the whole atmosphere is much more positive also now. There's a good feeling in the factory. So you can feel that the upward trend is now starting and that's what counts for us. What exactly that's going to be in terms of results or positions I don't know yet, but it needs to be progress and I'm confident we can make that happen.

"I'm as positive as ever going in to this season, just sharing it with the rest of the team really. There's a good atmosphere, everybody's very motivated to make the best of it and get going and improve the car and improve as a team and get closer to those people in front. That's what we all want and there's a great drive within the team to achieve that."

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