Rosberg 'must turn around slump' - Lauda

  • Published on 19 Apr 2015 10:39
  • comments 0
  • By: Priyantha Bleeker
Nico Rosberg's downwards spiral has only worsened in Bahrain.

With teammate Lewis Hamilton riding a wave of form and confidence, German Rosberg headed to the desert Kingdom determined to bounce back.

But it backfired spectacularly in qualifying, as the 29-year-old slumped to third place, behind not only Hamilton but also Sebastian Vettel's resurgent Ferrari.

"The starting point for Lewis is perfect as always," Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"But the six tenths gap between Nico and Lewis is worrisome," he added.

On German television RTL, however, Lauda insisted Rosberg cannot be written off.

But "from the first race in Melbourne, Lewis has simply done everything better. Nico needs to turn this around now.

"He needs to think about the counter-strategy he can do. It's not just about going faster, but thinking about something new to try to beat him," Lauda added.

The F1 legend said Rosberg is also psychologically weaker at present, having erred in complaining about Hamilton's race tactics in China a week ago.

"Basically, Nico has realised that complaining after the race was not good for him," he said. "On the other hand, Lewis' answer was correct when he said 'I'm here to win the race'."

So for now, F1 2015 appears headed for a two-horse title race, with the protagonists - silver-clad Hamilton and Vettel in the red corner - on the front row on Sunday.

"Ferrari is fast now because they started with the development of their car much earlier than us last year," said Wolff. "Because we were fighting for the title!

"What is clear is that the era of the easy one-two victories is over," he admitted. (GMM)

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
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