'Not encouraging to know that Lewis will bounce back stronger,' says Rosberg

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As the championship enters its final stretch, it's an outright mano-a-mano between current leader Nico Rosberg and defending champion Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg enjoys the upper hand for now over his team mate, but that could change on a whim like last weekend's race demonstrated.

Asked in Suzuka whether he was worried that reliability issues could determine the outcome of the championship, given the misfortune which fell upon his team mate last weekend, Nico Rosberg believes that at the end of the day he will have the last word over his fate.

"I’m not worried because I have learned to put my energy into something I can influence, and that’s something I can definitely influence," Rosberg explained.

"I also have all the trust in the team that they do all they can to make sure it doesn't happen again. They have come with certain changes for this weekend here, but am I worried it will decide the championship? No, that’s all very far away first of all and secondly … no."

Rosberg also considers that Hamilton's woes don't provide him with a psychological advantage as he knows all too well that the British driver will bounce back stronger than ever.

"I don’t draw encouragement from that, no. Anyways, I know that when Lewis has difficulties like that he will come back fully motivated. So it’s not very encouraging to know he is going to come back as strong as ever."

A big hit among the drivers, Suzuka remains a daunting challenge and one for which Rosberg has the utmost respect.

"It’s still one of the most risky tracks on the championship," said the German.

"There’s no room for areas otherwise you are going to have a big shunt, and it’s fast and old-school. That really makes it legendary."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.