Rosberg: Bottas must 'pounce' on Hamilton's weaknesses

Nico Rosberg believes Valtteri Bottas can beat Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to the world title if the Finn can consistently deliver in several key areas over the course of the season.

Bottas finished runner-up to Hamilton in the championship in the past two seasons, often enjoying a strong start to his campaigns only to see his form slump and his titles hopes drift away.

Rosberg believes Bottas can emulate the German driver's defeat of Hamilton in 2016 if he can consistently apply several key strengths, including leaning on the Briton at exactly the right moment.

"The most important thing is to pounce when Lewis has these small dips of weaknesses," Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.

"If you pounce in that moment, it can really rattle Lewis and it can prolong that weakness for a couple of races. Those are the moments you just need to maximise."

Rosberg sealed his world title against Hamilton at the thrilling final round of the 2016 season in Abu Dhabi. But the German had to dig deep at every race to achieve his dream, so much so that it consumed his mental energy and compelled him to retire from F1 just days after his coronation.

• Read also: Bottas considered 'giving up' after 2018 Sochi bitter pill

Rosberg offered more insight into what Bottas needs to do to vanquish his dominant teammate.

"Valtteri, he's got many bits, he just needs to put them together into one season," Rosberg explained.

"His qualifying speed, that's really been great. So if he can keep that going in this way, maybe pull it out of the bag a couple of more times, I think you're already in a good situation there.

"Then he needs to get together his starts, his racing, and he has to win every single one of those races (where Hamilton struggles) to keep Lewis down in the ropes for as long as possible because when he comes back, and he always does, he'll come back with a bang."

Although, he sees Bottas as a title contender of he can put the pieces together, Rosberg's money is still on Mercedes and Hamilton getting it done this season.

"I am a lover of our sport and for our sport it would be the best thing ever if Red Bull hit the ground running and we’d have Mercedes, the powerful Mercedes, chasing them down and Lewis on his way to an eighth title," he said.

"So for the season, who’s my money on? It still has to go on Lewis because nobody can fathom someone actually beating Lewis throughout the entire season on points. So, the money would still have to go to Lewis."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter