Rosberg realistic: 'Mercedes is in very difficult position'

Nico Rosberg did not expect Mercedes to struggle again at the start of the new Formula 1 season. The former world champion sees his old team struggling and doubts about the concept of the car.

This year, there were some rule changes around the height of the car's floor. Rosberg thinks this has not helped Mercedes, while last year the German racing stable itself insisted on a rule change like this. "It sounds like they are in a difficult position, unfortunately. In a way that they didn't expect. They changed the regulations at the end of last year, lifting the floor up. It seems that it was disadvantageous again for Mercedes and its concept. It made it even more difficult for them somehow", the German told Sky Sports.

Rosberg finds changes unnecessary

Mercedes is struggling, although Rosberg does not think anything needs to change within the team. Above all, he thinks it needs time. "I don't think that Mercedes need fresh ideas or new people into the design team. I know the people that are there. Toto has done a brilliant job with the succession planning. Bringing up the young talents. In terms of competence, the team is awesome. They have been caught out by this new ground effect era and they are still learning the ropes. It takes a bit more time I suppose."

Mercedes qualified sixth and seventh for the first Grand Prix of 2023. This puts them behind the two Red Bulls and Ferraris and behind Alonso. The German racing stable thus seems to be the fourth team for the time being, something they are not used to. Mercedes won all constructors' championships in the early years of the turbo-hybrid era, but since the introduction of the new 2022 rules, Toto Wolff's team has struggled.