Its not only the Benz V8 Marcush
Mercedes are better than they were last year, I think most will agree. Perhaps not in terms of results, but certainly in performance to the teams around them.
And you have to admit Mercedes have less to work with, being smaller. The final 2 or 3% is missing, but Mercedes needs to know
where that final bit is lacking before they invest.
As the simulator get up and running we will see the W02 improve even more IMO.
The way Rosberg was driving yesterday was most impressive(Alonso was mightier though!) and the car looked stable in the areas that mattered during his fast laps. Under braking, through the swimming pool and round the casino and loews hairpin, the car required less input than the Ferrari time of Alonso(how that guy is sleeping at night I dont know!
)
Over a lap the Ferrari is quicker apparently. But, over a race? I would bet the Mercedes W02 would not only be kinder on its tyres, but also on its driver.
Then again, its only FP2. But so far it looks alot better than I thought for Mercedes.