Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Ferrari still a threat despite penalties - Rosberg

Nico Rosberg says Ferrari will still be a threat in the United States Grand Prix despite both drivers taking power unit penalties.

Sebastian Vettel confirmed on Thursday he will take a 10-place grid penalty as a result of using an updated Ferrari power unit in Austin, with Kimi Raikkonen also set to receive the same penalty. While it means the highest either driver can start is 11th place, Rosberg is wary of wet weather keeping Ferrari in teh frame.

"It makes the weekend more simple for us, but they are still a threat from where they are because with the weather or whatever," Rosberg said. "It could make it an easier weekend.

"The frame of mind is that there is nothing to lose. I want to win and I have the opportunity to win, so it’s a great target to have this weekend and I’m focused."

And Rosberg says he is not concerned about being beaten by Vettel in the drivers' championship, with his fellow German currently holding a seven-point advantage in the standings.

"I never thought about finishing third because with my car, for sure, I’m still on for first at the moment and that’s what I’m thinking about. Even if I know that it’s tough, because I am realistic also and I need a lot of luck, but I’m fixed for that until you tell me it’s not possible. As for whether he’s German or not doesn’t make a difference."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.