Mercedes staying positive

Nico Rosberg in action in the Mercedes GP during the Turkish Grand Prix last month. Ross Brawn, the Mercedes team boss, expects an improved showing from the team in Valencia on Sunday.

Ross Brawn believes Mercedes GP are a small step away from becoming race winners despite their disappointing start to the season. The closest last year's Formula One world champions, who triumphed under the title BrawnGP before being bought by Mercedes, have come to a victory has been the two third-place finishes from Nico Rosberg in Malaysia and China.

While teammate Michael Schumacher has often faltered and appeared unconvincing on his return to F1 this season, Rosberg has at least been consistent. The younger German has finished between third and seventh in all but one of the eight grands prix, earning plaudits for his performances. However, Brawn, the team principal, feels it is time one of his drivers was standing on top of the podium, but is aware the margin between such a position and being out of the top three is small.

"With the new points system this year we are still within striking distance of the championship leaders and we will continue with our efforts to become more competitive," Brawn said. "We have a number of the basics right and the difference between winning and losing is small. We need to close that difference." That may yet be this weekend at the European Grand Prix in Valencia as the team will have a number of updates they hope will propel them closer to the front.

"Looking ahead to Valencia, the circuit is similar to Montreal [for the Canadian Grand Prix] in many ways with long straights connected by slow corners which should suit our car," Brawn said. "We have an upgrade package which will be another good step in our development towards competing at the front of the field." Meanwhile, the Italian manufacturer Pirelli has been appointed as the single tyre supplier for the Formula One world championship for three years starting in 2011, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) said yesterday.

Bridgestone, the Japanese manufacturer, announced last year that it was pulling out of the sport at the end of the 2010 season and Michelin, the French company, was also among candidates to take over, but the FIA opted for Pirelli. * Agencies