Rosberg admits Hamilton “drove like a world champion”

Australian Grand Prix runner-up Nico Rosberg has admitted that he was beaten by the better driver in the first round of the 2015 Formula One World Championship, but has vowed to take the fight to Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg finished 7.6s in arrears of Hamilton in Melbourne, but was happy enough to start his season with a second-placed finish.

"It's an absolutely stunning car they've given us," said Rosberg of his Mercedes. "Lewis has done a fantastic job this weekend, he drove like a world champion the whole weekend, I couldn't quite beat him.

"But for sure I was trying everything, every single lap, all the way to the maximum. And I will do all year, I'll give him a big run for his money – and hopefully beat him."

Team boss Toto Wolff also sang the praises of his drivers after the event, as well as the pace and reliability of the W06.

"The pace of the car is incredible, both of the cars had no problems, to this is the kind of result you can achieve. We have tried to maintain our developments, we were pushing very hard.

"All the targets we set, we have achieved. We have gained a lot in aerodynamics. We shouldn't get complacent; keep the feet on the ground.

"Nico was trying to hunt him down, but he didn't really have the weapons to hunt him down at the end."