Rosberg backs Vettel to bounce back after lacklustre start

2016 Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg is confident that Sebastian Vettel will pull himself out of his current form and return to winning ways soon.

Vettel has not won a Grand Prix since Belgium last year, which was followed by a series of Grand Prix that saw the world championship slip away, with Lewis Hamilton winning his fifth title.

Vettel did not finish on the podium at the first two races of the year in Australia and Bahrain and even spun when battling Hamilton during the race at Sakhir.

But Rosberg thinks that his compatriot's poor form will come to an end soon: "It is just a phase that Sebastian is going through,” Rosberg told Press Association Sport. “It is one that all sportspersons have to deal with where things don’t always go to plan.

“You need to find your way out of that phase, and Sebastian is a four-time world champion, so I am sure he will be able to manage that.

“He needs to get into a positive spiral again, and all it takes in Formula One is just one good race, so if he wins in China, then off he’ll go.”

With Mercedes taking the opening two wins of the year, Rosberg thinks that his former rival Hamilton is the firm early favourite for the 2019 championship.

“Mercedes have had the better start to the season in terms of points, but it looks as though Ferrari have got the better car,” he stated.

“In Bahrain, Ferrari allowed Sebastian and Charles [Leclerc] to race freely, but they have two competitive drivers so that will be so hard to manage. Lewis, however, is as usual; he is always on it, so I still see him as the favourite for the championship.”

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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