Rosberg: Hard for Ferrari to keep up with Mercedes

Nico Rosberg has made no secret of the fact that he has been watching the grand prix season unfold with interest and as a very well informed fan, now with the championship just past the halfway mark, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion believes that his former Mercedes team will have an edge over Ferrari as the development race gets serious during the final half of the year.

Rosberg told Sportbild, "Ferrari have done a great job over the past winter, but now it will be all be about the development race. I think it will be hard for Ferrari to keep up with Mercedes."

"After Silverstone I had already thought: That's it now. But I admit I was surprised that Ferrari hadn't fallen back again in Hungary. Spa would have to be a full-on the Mercedes-track. Ferrari is unlikely to have a chance," predicted Rosberg.

At the fast Silverstone circuit Mercedes dominated the race with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas scoring a one-two for the Silver Arrows as Ferrari faltered, but a couple of weeks later the Reds bounced back with their own one-two finish at the tight and twisty Hungaroring with Vettel leading home teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

The rivalry between title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel has shifted from mutual admiration and respect to one of contempt and disdain thanks largely to their high profile clash during a safety car period at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Rosberg gave his thoughts on the headline grabbing incident that took place in Baku, "You know that [Vettel] does not know how to control his emotions. Last year he raged over the radio in Mexico. This attitude, where he feels he is never wrong is also one of Sebastian's strengths."

"In the short term he may appear to be weak, but over a whole season this way of being can make the difference. The basic character, despite all opposition, is geared for victory and that cannot be damaging," explained Rosberg.

After 11 of the 20 rounds, Mercedes lead the constructors championship by 39 points while Vettel is top of the drivers' standings with 14 points over Hamilton.