Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff has admitted that the pace of Nico Rosberg this season has taken the team's new driver Lewis Hamilton by surprise.

Wolff, however, expects Hamilton to respond and both drivers to be competitive for the rest of the season.

"Probably, or maybe, he was surprised by Nico's pace," Wolff told Autosport. "You guys have written a lot in the last few weeks, as it was not always clear how Nico's pace was compared to Michael Schumacher and his days in Williams.

"Now, Rosberg has proved he is really quick, and this came as a surprise to Lewis. But I don't think it is a real problem.

"We saw him strong in Canada, and he was on track for pole position before he missed the braking point, so I think we will see great races from Lewis. I have no doubt."

Rosberg is currently 20 points behind Hamilton in the drivers' standings.