Niki Lauda believes Nico Rosberg's "brain has switched" which is allowing him to drive more freely after securing back-to-back victories.
Rosberg made an error in the United States Grand Prix which handed Lewis Hamilton the drivers' championship with three races remaining this season. However, since then the German has been in impressive form, winning from pole position in both Mexico and Brazil. After what he described as an "unbelievable performance" from Rosberg at Interlagos, Lauda believes the championship runner-up is simply in a better state of mind.
Asked why he feels Rosberg has shown a recent resurgence, Lauda replied: "Like the last one - suddenly his brain has switched and off he goes.
"These things happen to drivers and sometimes you fight with yourself and suddenly you get free in your head and off you go. He is as quick as Lewis. If everything is going well for him he can win."
And Lauda dismissed the notion that Rosberg's recent performances are the result of Hamilton dropping his own level since clinching the drivers' championship in Austin.
"Maybe he lost the need, nevertheless he is still fighting, you can see that with every lap. At the moment Nico is better."
Rosberg's win in Brazil secured second place in the drivers' championship having been trailing Sebastian Vettel just two races previously.
Brazilian Grand Prix - Driver ratings
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