Indeed, after planning to 'take it easy' over the winter, Rosberg's entire focus now is on the 2009 F1 campaign, when he hopes what should be a more level playing field – thanks to the radical new aerodynamic and technical regulations – will help Williams to regain some ground on its rivals.

The 23-year-old is clearly keen to get behind the wheel of the new FW31 in January, and is hopeful it may be the car that finally enables him to show what he is truly capable of in the top flight. Adamant that he has never lost belief in himself, the inaugural GP2 Series Champion is also forthright in his assertion that nor has he lost faith in his team.

“I always follow the development of a new car very closely,” he explained, “especially with so many new regulations waiting in the wings. I am very anxious to hear how it's going. Actually I saw the car last January, or even December – around about ten months ago – and it will be interesting to see the changes when I go back to the factory to follow up.

“At the moment it is looking good, but what does that mean? Absolutely nothing, because you have no idea what the others are doing, so it's not even worth mentioning. In Barcelona we were able to put some mileage on the car – we had quite a few things on the car for next year and we've tried some general things too, as you can start to learn about the tyres.

“Although it was this year's car and this year's aerodynamics, we've been running with such low downforce that it represents what it will be like next year. It's not exact but you can start to try fundamental things like how the tyres work, learning about them step-by-step, because new tyres are always very complex to understand.

“I haven't given up on the team, not at all. I am still very motivated and it would be the greatest for me if I could help this team to some good success. Going back to the 'glory days' will be a bit difficult in the situation nowadays, but still to have some good success would be a very nice thing for me.”

Admitting that running around in the mid-to-rear of the field is 'something that you have to get used to', Rosberg is equally clear that his determination to follow in the wheeltracks of close friend and former junior formulae sparring partner Lewis Hamilton and lift the sport's ultimate trophy continues to burn every bit as brightly as ever.

The son of 1982 F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg has remained loyal to Williams for longer than most believe he should have – now he just hopes that fidelity will be rewarded in terms of on-track results, and sooner rather than later.

“Next year the cars are going to be completely spread out again because everybody starts from zero, so I will tell you halfway through next year if I regret it or not,” he mused. “It would be fantastic if the team could change their course. All these years you just build on the car that you had the year before, copy other people and try to improve more than others – but now it's a different game because everybody starts from zero, with a completely new concept.

“I hope that the people at Williams can take advantage of this situation; that would be great. I am not asking for a world championship-winning car, just a car that gives me the opportunity to finish in the points consistently – and a couple of podiums would be the icing on the cake. The chances are there, for sure. Should '09 not turn out as I hope it will, then naturally I will have to re-think my position for 2010.