Monday 29 August 2016 10:37, UK
Nico Rosberg is braced for a "demanding" Belgian GP in his attempts to win the race and cut team-mate Lewis Hamilton's world title lead.
With Hamilton consigned to a back-row start courtesy of a 55-place grid penalty for exceeding engine components, Rosberg did what he needed to do by claiming his third pole position in a row at Spa on Saturday.
However, the battle at the front in qualifying proved closer run than expected with both Red Bull and Ferrari lapping within two tenths of the Mercedes' pole time.
And, with tyre usage and strategy set to play a defining role in Sunday's race amid hot conditions in Belgium, Rosberg is not expecting a straightforward run to the chequered flag.
"Definitely it's a very different situation out there with the temperature and the tyre pressures that we have," said Rosberg.
"They are very close. It is going to be a very, very demanding race against both of them."
Spa, which is more famed for unpredictable conditions than scorching temperatures, has been gripped by a heatwave this week and Rosberg admitted "it's a different world out there" to normal.
"We had to change a lot of things in the back [of the car]," he explained after he finished only seventh quickest in final practice.
"But great to see we got there eventually, just in time for qualifying, because even in P3 we were off the pace."
Although Rosberg has the advantage of pole, second-placed Max Verstappen will start on the grippier supersoft tyres after opting for a bolder tyre strategy than his direct rivals in Q2.
However, Rosberg, who will start on softs, is confident he can keep the lead to the first corner, La Source, and then on the long uphill climb to the Les Combes chicane.
"Usually you can usually manage to keep first position all the way up the hill, but I need to get a good run through Eau Rouge," he said. "It should be okay."
