Rosberg taking nothing for granted in title fight

Nico Rosberg may have returned to the top of the Formula One drivers’ standings after victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, but he knows there is still a long way to go in the title fight.

Three successive victories in Belgium, Italy and Singapore since the mid-season break has seen Rosberg move back above Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by eight points.

The German’s victory in Singapore was an assured piece of driving, holding off the advancing Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull while title rival Hamilton had to recover after mechanical issues in qualifying to finish third.

Malaysia is a track Rosberg has never won on, though, and he knows he cannot afford to let his performance levels drop with six races remaining.

“It’s an incredible position to be in as a driver, knowing you have a shot at winning every weekend,” he said. “I won’t take it for granted.

“I’ve had a good run lately and I’m enjoying the moment. But as far as the next race goes, the next one after that and so on – it’s anyone’s game.

“Red Bull and Ferrari are both pushing us really hard, so there will be some tough weekends ahead.

“It’s exciting for the fans and pushes us even harder to keep improving, so that’s a great thing.

“Malaysia didn’t work out perfectly for us last year, so if we can win it this time against such tough opposition that would be really awesome.”

Hamilton travels to Sepang having won the race in 2014 and finished on the podium in his last four visits, giving the Briton plenty of optimism as he looks to overturn his narrow deficit and claim a third successive title.

“Singapore was a difficult weekend for me, so to come away with a podium in the circumstances was pretty good damage limitation,” said the defending champion.

“Ultimately, Nico did an exceptional job and I didn’t have my best weekend. But that’s the way it goes. We’re both fiercely competitive. Some weekends he does great, some weekends I do great. It’s a combination of things that all come together to make a strong weekend and everyone is different.

“I have no idea if the momentum will swing back to me or when it might. But we still have six races left, so I just have to keep giving it my all and hope for the best. That’s all you can do as a sportsman.

“It’s going to take some good results to get back in front and stay there – but I’ve had plenty of those in the past, so there’s no reason to think they won’t come back to me again.

“Sepang is my first shot at it and I’m really looking forward to getting out there. It’s a track I usually go pretty well at.”