Rosberg form will have Hamilton worried – Mercedes chief

Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe believes Nico Rosberg’s form towards the end of the Formula One season will have left Lewis Hamilton worried about 2016.

Hamilton wrapped up his third drivers’ title with three races to go at the United States Grand Prix in October, but failed to add to his 10 wins thereafter.

Instead it was his team-mate Rosberg who came to the fore as he took the chequered flag in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi to cement second place in the championship.

Lowe says the German’s resurgence in the closing weeks of the season will serve as a reminder for Hamilton that he faces a tough task if he is to lift the title again next year.

“I think Lewis has been given a bit of a wake-up call in the last three races with Nico absolutely on top form,” he said at the British Racing Drivers’ Club Awards on Monday.

“That’s given Lewis a bit of an uncomfortable winter.

“We’re fortunate to be in a position where we have had a dominant car so the least we can do is make sure we have a tremendous battle between the two drivers up front.

“I think we’ve done that and we’re going to keep doing that. And that means we need each guy to push the other to the very limit and that’s what we’re doing.”