Mercedes ready to hit the front in Jerez

Mercedes are confident they will be up to speed during next week's pre-season test in Jerez.

The all-German outfit lagged behind Ferrari and McLaren during the first test in Valencia this week and team boss Ross Brawn admitted afterwards that they still have "a bit of work to do" in order to catch the two pacesetters.

However, Brawn believes they gap will be bridged by the time Jerez arrives as they are busy ironing out a few problems.

"We have identified the areas where we can improve and we'll achieve this in time for Jerez next week," Brawn is quoted by DPA.

"It is always difficult to estimate speed so early on in the season but we are in a reasonable position."

Although he doesn't want to read too much into this week's testing times, Nico Rosberg also believes the team "will be at the front" next week.

"It's still early days," he told the official Formula One website. "Sometimes we would arrive with Williams at a test thinking that we were in good shape, so to make a statement would be very premature.

"I sure hope that I don't have to experience a not-so-great car again, but where we are exactly is impossible to say, as every team is trying different things in terms of fuel loads.

"Probably next week in Jerez the fog will lift and we will get a better picture of where we are. But for sure we will be at the front - I hope!"

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug insists the team are not feeling any pressure with Michael Schumacher in their ranks.

"I think we have all the same targets and we are just trying to build the best possible car, the best possible package, and then we will see where we are," he told Autosport.

"Having said that, I think we will be the last ones to underestimate the competition - and we will have strong competition.

"We will find out what happens. I think it is positive. It is very good for the sport as well and of course for us.

"It's a good story because he started his professional racing career with us. But at the end of the day it only counts that we are competitive. So far we are going in a good direction."

Source: Mercedes ready to hit the front in Jerez - Planet-F1 News from planet-f1.com