The new updates were delivered but it was the same old Mercedes that showed up at the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend – albeit with the drivers having swapped roles.

This time it was Nico Rosberg struggling in the middle of the pack and getting involved in little scraps while Michael Schumacher managed to finish a car in a higher position than it ought to have.

Rosberg will be frustrated with the new package that has left him 0.3 seconds slower than his team-mate through practice and the qualifying sessions when he easily out-paced the seven-time World Champion with the old specification. He did manage a quicker lap-time during the race, but he did have fresher tyres after a second-stop.

But, once more, a team has built a car suited for the 41-year-old German. The only problem is the car still isn’t good enough to compete at the front.

The fact Schumacher managed to finish fourth had more to do with the Old-Master’s defensive skills, the dodgy tyres on Lewis Hamilton’s car and Jenson Button’s inability to find an overtaking spot.

There was excitement that we might be seeing the return of the old Schumacher after his impressive first-practice, but not even he can be expected to challenge the Red Bull’s with such a disadvantage.

Better upgrades are needed for the team and fast if they are to have any hope at all of challenging for the world titles.

Rosberg has been used to racing by himself this season – too slow for the cars in front, way too quick for the cars behind – but this wasn’t the case in Barcelona.

After a poor start which saw him lose four places and a pit stop where a mix-up meant he lost time while a wheel nut was tightened, Rosberg was stuck down in 16^th racing with fellow German Nico Hulkenberg.

At least Rosberg gave one of the rare highlights from the Grand Prix with a stunning overtake of his namesake on lap 51. It was an impressive overtake and the first time we’ve got to see him in an attacking sense this season.

If only he could get a faster car we could be seeing him take on Sebastian Vettel instead of Hulkenberg.

Ross Brawn will be deeply upset with how far they remain off the pace. New upgrades will not make too much difference in Monaco and with Red Bull planning further upgrades in Turkey, Mercedes have their work cut out if they are going to challenge at all.

Time is quickly running out.

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