Nico Rosberg's title aspirations this year may have suffered a definitive setback as the German driver appeared powerless in rivaling with his Mercedes counterpart and championship leader Lewis Hamilton in today's Japanese Grand Prix.
Rosberg's pole position offered the Mercedes driver an advantage only into Turn 2 before he was edged out by Hamilton, ran wide and found himself demoted down to fourth.
From there on, Rosberg was in chasing mode until the latter part of the race, but eventually fell short in his efforts to bridge the gap with his dominant team mate.
"Lewis just got a better start, fair play," Rosberg said on the podium. "Turn 1 was a good fight, and Turn 2 he had the inside. I was happy to fight back to second place because fourth would not have been acceptable."
While his overall result in Japan will certainly leave him dissatisfied given Hamilton's extended lead in the championship, Rosberg was still relieved with his team's return to the victory circle following its inexplicable Singapore slump.
"The car is now back to its best, which is reassuring after Singapore. Especially In qualifying, it was a pleasure drive as it was like on rails."
Mathematically, Rosberg's title chase remains intact, but practically, catching and beating Hamilton is a tall order.
"It's definitely going the wrong," Nico conceded. "I had to win today and it didn't work out. So I'll just have to win next time out."
RACE REPORT: Hamilton eases to dominant Suzuka victory
AS IT HAPPENED: Japanese Grand Prix
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