Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reaffirmed the team's confidence in Valtteri Bottas, backing the Finn to recover quickly from his current dip in form.
Bottas has struggled in the past few races to sustain a level of performance on a par with that of mate Lewis Hamilton.
The Finn achieved two races wins this season, his first in F1, and seven podiums in the last nine races but performance has inexplicably lingered lately.
Wolff insisted the team was doing all it could to help Bottas recover his pace, and says that when he does, he will be a stronger driver.
"I think he will overcome this tough period," Wolff said.
"Somebody clever said 'Smooth seas don't make tough sailors', and if he can dig himself out of the current underperformance he is going to come out much stronger.
"We have seen very good performances from him this year and he had a dip in form in the last races but nobody is doubting Valtteri."
In Malaysia, Bottas questioned the impact of Mercedes' latest upgrade package, which Hamilton had opted not to use, on his performance.
Wolff underlined however the validity of the aero updates, but acknowledged that the team's W08 was a delicate beast to tame.
"We have a capricious car. It has a very narrow operating window with the tyres, where the tyres generate optimum grip.
"And dipping in and out of the window is the fundamental story of 2017 for us.
"Driving style plays a role. Lewis was able to better adapt to the problem than Valtteri. But changing driving style is not something that comes easy to anybody."
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