Upbeat Nico Rosberg harbours Formula One title hopes in Russia
German driver is determined to keep his title bid alive as F1 roadshow moves on to Sochi circuit
Nico Rosberg is heading into this weekend's Russian Grand Prix determined to keep alive his bid for the drivers' world title by beating defending two-time champion and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton on a track that may throw up tyre problems for most teams.
The 30-year-old German, who is 48 points adrift of the Briton after winning three races, to Hamilton's eight, this season said he felt he had enough positive feelings to draw on to justify his optimism as he prepared for a keenly-anticipated contest.
"Once I got back from Japan, I was able to focus on the positive elements from my weekend in Suzuka," Rosberg explained.
Although the championship gap to Lewis is quite big, in my mind it's definitely not over yet
"Pole position, the on-track pass on Valtteri Bottas and then having the speed to undercut Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari at the second pit-stop.
"I'm not backing down in my fight for the championship and gaining those positions back fair and square showed that. We have five races to go and, although the championship gap to Lewis is quite big, in my mind it's definitely not over yet."
Rosberg's bright approach may need to be considered carefully against the possibility, as expressed by Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe, that unexpected behaviour by the team's tyres could cause problems in Sunday's second race on the hybrid semi-street circuit built in the Olympic Park created for the 2014 Winter Games.
"This was a tricky weekend last season, with a new circuit to learn and fresh tarmac, which produced slightly unusual behaviour from the tyres," said Lowe.
