Red Bull to lead 2012 despite new rules - Rosberg

Red Bull will continue to set the pace in Formula One, according to Nico Rosberg.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

With McLaren, Ferrari and even his own Mercedes team tipped to push the reigning champions hard in 2012, German Rosberg said he doubts the blown exhaust ban will slow Red Bull.

"No matter what the rules look like, Red Bull will still be strong.

"They have the expertise, the structure and all the requirements to keep being the best," he added.

But Brackley based Mercedes, heading into its third season since the Brawn takeover, is stepping in the same direction, Rosberg said, ably led by team boss Ross Brawn.

"He knows what we need in order to be the best team," the 26-year-old told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"There were many competent people already who had just not yet grown together properly, while not everyone was sitting in the right places.

"That process has taken place now," he added.

"In Bob Bell, Geoff Willis and Aldo Costa, we also have three new top people on board, and I believe very strongly in Ross. You can feel his ambition," said Rosberg.