Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has said that he is ready for the new season to get underway after finishing pre-season testing.

The 26-year-old is confident that Mercedes have taken a step forward, despite finishing 0.838 seconds off the pace after 129 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya.

"I'm happy with my pre-season testing programme, and I believe that we have made a step forward from last year," he said.

"I have been able to achieve a lot of mileage which shows that the car is very reliable, and as a driver, I feel ready now for the first race in Melbourne.

The German also spoke of his surprise at the opportunity to test the new W03 in wet conditions because of some rain in Barcelona.

"Unbelievably in the last hours of my test, it was raining! So I have also been able to experience the car in the wet.

"Now it's exciting to go to the first race and see where we are compared to the others. Finally all the talking stops and the racing starts when we get to Australia."

The 2012 world championship begins at Albert Park, Melbourne on March 18.