VALENCIA, Spain-- Nico Rosberg said he felt completely at home at Mercedes after giving his new Formula One car its track debut on Monday ahead of team mate Michael Schumacher.
The 24-year-old German has joined the team, formerly champions Brawn GP, after four seasons with Williams. He said he had slotted in right away.
"After four years with one car, the same people always building it, how is it going to be?," he told reporters.
"Do you feel comfortable straight away or not? To be honest, it really felt very similar which was a very nice feeling.
"The position I am sitting in there, the steering loads, the way the steering feels, the power from the engine, everything is different -- and it really felt at home very quickly, which was good. It was very similar to what I am used to, in everything," he added.
Rosberg, whose 1982 world champion father Keke was at the Valencia circuit to witness his Mercedes debut as team mate to seven times world champion Schumacher, completed 39 laps on a bright and sunny morning.
"It felt great, although difficult to compare because there are so many things different with the fuel and tyres," he said.
He then handed over to 41-year-old Schumacher, who took just 17 laps to set a faster time despite having been out of the sport since he retired in 2006. Rosberg, whose spacious motorhome was parked next to Schumacher's smaller one in the Valencia paddock, said his compatriot's presence had given him an extra lift.
"To have him here is fantastic," said the youngster, who has yet to win a race whereas Schumacher has racked up 91 victories. "It has given me a little bit extra motivation I must say, from my point of view. Just that little touch extra."
Rosberg said the welcome at the Brackley headquarters in England had also been warm.
"I have been at the factory a lot. I've got to know everybody, and I knew a lot of people from the past also. I knew Jock (Clear) from a few years back, who is my engineer.
"So it has been actually a really nice integration into the team in recent weeks for me, and quite easy also. That has been nice to see. Everything is falling in place very quickly and going well at the moment."
