Rosberg: Mercedes is a war machine

Early this season, fans witnessed a fascinating battle between Ferrari and Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel versus Lewis Hamilton, with the pendulum of form swinging from one camp to the other.

But in the latter half, since Monza, the Reds and their German ace have all but capitulated thanks to a series off well-documented failings by the team and their driver.

While many did not expect the Reds to implode as they have done, Rosberg explained in an interview with Gazzetta della Sport, "I am not surprised, the fact is that Mercedes is a war machine. I mean the whole the package: the car and Lewis Hamilton."

"His pace and form has been immense, to beat him you have to be perfect, and Ferrari has not been able to be that. So, in the end, it's not so strange: at Mercedes, the team has been more or less the same for the past five years, while Ferrari have had many changes."

Vettel has made some glaring errors since he won the Belgian Grand Prix in August, as the pressure of racing for the sport's most popular and best-supported team has taken its toll. Italian media have unsheathed their swords and have started prodding with intent.

Rosberg acknowledged, "There were for or five incidents where, I am not sure, the pressure may have had a role in the decline, but it comes as no surprise because we all know the role at Ferrari comes with much more pressure than with other teams."

At Mercedes, Hamilton has ruled the roost since Rosberg quit after winning his only title at the end of 2016, and admits he is "honoured" to be the only driver to beat his former teammate in this F1 hybrid turbo era.

The German's replacement at the Silver Arrows is Valtteri Bottas who has hardly been a challenge to his teammate, but Rosberg sympathises with the Finn, "It's hard for him, but he's mentally tough. I hope he can get out of this period and get back to the top of his game. It's a tough fight for a driver."

Mercedes head to United States Grand Prix on the back of a double one-two and are hunting a hat-trick in Austin. Hamilton is 67 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the drivers' championship battle, while Mercedes lead Ferrari by 78 points in the constructors' race.