Rosberg: Lewis just did a better job last year

Nico Rosberg has identified wheel-to-wheel combat as his main weakness compared to reigning Formula 1 world champion and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton who he admits did a better job than him last year.

With their dominant 2014 Mercedes, the pair duelled intensely for last year's title but Briton Hamilton ultimately won in the championship finale.

Rosberg did secure F1's new 'pole position trophy' of 2014, but acknowledged that Hamilton was "better" in the all-important area of wheel-to-wheel battling.

Asked by Sport Bild if it is true to say Hamilton is a better fighter while Rosberg is a thinker, the German answered: "No, he just did a better job.

"So I need to improve that," he said. "He was more decisive in the direct duels between us, and that unfortunately had an impact on the final result."

Rosberg cites Bahrain last year as the perfect example, where their thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle for the lead ultimately went Hamilton's way.

"This is one area where I need to improve," admitted Rosberg who last year won the Australian Grand Prix.