Rosberg expects "a lot of overtaking" in Bahrain race

The use of three tyre compounds this year, plus the different allocations chosen by each team, has ensured that a variety of strategic permutations could work.

However, this weekend it's a little clearer at the front as the Mercedes and Ferrari drivers are all heading into the race with one new set of mediums, and two new sets of softs.

“It is going to be a tough one for sure,” Rosberg said when asked by Motorsport.com.

“A lot can go on with the three different tyres, and all three will probably be used as well, in our case.

"It will for sure be an interesting race, strategy wise as well. And a lot of overtaking with different people in different situations with their tyres.”

Rosberg said that Mercedes wasn't just eyeing Sebastian Vettel: “There's Kimi [Raikkonen] as well, he had one of his greatest races here last year if I remember correctly, so for sure we're keeping an eye on him.

"It's great if it's a four-way battle with Ferrari. That will be a great race, and there's a very good chance that will be the case.”

The factor that may work against Ferrari is that Mercedes believes that the W07 benefited from cooler temperatures as qualifying went on, and that will also apply to the race.

Rosberg said: “I think we got pretty good laps in at the end of Q3 as well, that's part of it, and then temperatures dropping, getting a bit colder, maybe that was good for us.

"I'm not sure, it's difficult to explain. It surprised us as well.”

Regarding Hamilton's extra pace in qualifying, the German said: “Lewis did his homework very well.”