SPIELBERG, Austria - Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg put himself in a World Championship-winning mood according to F1 experts.
Despite most agreeing that his Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton has the edge in raw pace, it is Rosberg who has scooped the most points so far in 2014.
That, in part, is due to Hamilton's two did-not-finishes, but Rosberg has finished every single race in the 2014 season in either first or second.
'ROSBERG'S AN EVEN BIGGER KILLER'
Former F1 driver David Coulthard, thinks Rosberg's metronomic consistency in 2014 may even be a "strategy".
Coulthard said: "Perhaps Rosberg has decided not to take the big risks in qualifying, play it slightly steadier, minimise the chances of making mistakes."
Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger is sensing a new edge to Rosberg's personality in 2014, after many were fooled by his "angel face" in past years.
Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve and 1997 world champion said: "Like everyone, I thought Hamilton was the 'killer' of the pair, but Rosberg is showing that he's an even bigger killer. In the last three races he has shown that he can put the knife in the back as well."
Given Hamilton's pace, his experience and his 2014 car he cannot be written off, even though his deficit to Rosberg is 29 points.
Hamilton said: "I need to pull my socks up, otherwise Nico will have it. I have had a couple of dodgy races, so I need to get it back to how it should be."
Coulthard thinks Hamilton can no longer simply adopt a similar approach: "Now the deficit in the championship has grown, it's difficult for Hamilton to change his strategy. He has to make sure he is winning GPs.
"If Rosberg does not suffer his own retirement, it is going to take a long time to claw back that gap."
Despite most agreeing that his Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton has the edge in raw pace, it is Rosberg who has scooped the most points so far in 2014.
That, in part, is due to Hamilton's two did-not-finishes, but Rosberg has finished every single race in the 2014 season in either first or second.
'ROSBERG'S AN EVEN BIGGER KILLER'
Former F1 driver David Coulthard, thinks Rosberg's metronomic consistency in 2014 may even be a "strategy".
Coulthard said: "Perhaps Rosberg has decided not to take the big risks in qualifying, play it slightly steadier, minimise the chances of making mistakes."
Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger is sensing a new edge to Rosberg's personality in 2014, after many were fooled by his "angel face" in past years.
Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve and 1997 world champion said: "Like everyone, I thought Hamilton was the 'killer' of the pair, but Rosberg is showing that he's an even bigger killer. In the last three races he has shown that he can put the knife in the back as well."
Given Hamilton's pace, his experience and his 2014 car he cannot be written off, even though his deficit to Rosberg is 29 points.
Hamilton said: "I need to pull my socks up, otherwise Nico will have it. I have had a couple of dodgy races, so I need to get it back to how it should be."
Coulthard thinks Hamilton can no longer simply adopt a similar approach: "Now the deficit in the championship has grown, it's difficult for Hamilton to change his strategy. He has to make sure he is winning GPs.
"If Rosberg does not suffer his own retirement, it is going to take a long time to claw back that gap."