Nico Rosberg is confident that Merc GP can challenge for race wins next season despite having spent 2010 fighting it out behind the frontrunners.
Despite the team only picking up three podium positions during the season (all of which were third-placed finishes), Rosberg believes that the team have the right people and processes in place to ensure that the 2011 season is a successful one.
"The expertise is there, but we just need a little time to get everything going in the right direction," Rosberg told Auto Bild magazine.
"But we are on the right track. Ross Brawn has got the team structure right and, sooner or later, it will happen. It is only a question of whether we manage to achieve it in time for the beginning of the [2011] season because we must not forget that the gap [to the frontrunners] is already quite large."
Much has been made of the young German finishing ahead of his illustrious team-mate - seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher - this year and Rosberg admits it is something he is very proud of.
"He is a very high-profile team-mate and I'm obviously very happy that I ended [the season] in front of him," said Rosberg.
"I would never have imagined myself in such a position. It is something to remember as he is a seven-time world champion who is considered one of the best drivers of all time. You can scrape off as much paint as you like, his success will always remain, so I do not feel at all guilty about enjoying this moment."
The 25-year-old believes that a possible reason for him consistently out pacing Schumacher was his ability to fit in with the car's set-up in a more effective manner than that of his countryman.
"I don't know, but it seems like I got along with the set-up, the whole package, better [than Schumacher did]," he explained.
While much was made in the media about a rivalry between the two, Rosberg reveals that he has thoroughly enjoyed working with Schumacher.
"We have learned from each other this year and, for me, it was very interesting working with him. I think the public has a false image of Michael. Of course, he tries to gain advantages, but this is quite normal and I'd do the same," he added.
