The two-week gap since Barcelona saw the team join its peers at Paul Ricard, where both Rosberg and beleaguered team-mate Alex Wurz benefited from almost 500km of set-up work in preparation for their 'home' grand prix.
"We had a productive test, during which we worked through many different mechanical and aerodynamic set-ups," technical director Sam Michael confirms, "At the same time, we signed off the upgrade that we will use for the maximum downforce circuit of Monte Carlo.
Bridgestone will be bringing the 'super soft' tyres to this race for the first time and they will make a significant contribution as to how much the circuit 'rubbers' in during the course of the weekend. The grip level increase is so large because, in addition to rubber being laid down, a lot of the contaminants on the road surface are lifted."
Buoyed by his battling sixth place in Spain, Rosberg is confident that he can repeat the feat in Monaco, where he took a podium finish in his GP2 championship campaign.
"Monaco is the race of the year," he insists, "The track is right in the middle of where I grew up, so it’s also a very special race for me for that reason. All of my friends are there and the atmosphere is just great. All that has been missing from the mix is a good race result, but let’s see if we can change that this weekend."
Wurz, meanwhile, is still looking for the result to get his season off the ground, but reckons that Monaco is just the place to start his fightback.
"This weekend is going to be very cool," the Austrian smiles, "In terms of off-track work, Monaco is always the busiest weekend for all the drivers, and that’s a challenge in itself. Nevertheless, it is still one of my favourite race weekends of the season. It’s as hard as ever to forecast the result for the race, but the only thing I can say for sure is that it’s going to be a close fight - and that is cool."
Scuderia Toro Rosso – Vitantonio Liuzzi (#18), Scott Speed (#19):
Early promise in Spain was dashed by the time qualifying came around, with Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi being prevented from setting times in Q1 and Q2 respectively, and the race was little better.
