Rosberg backing Hamilton to topple "giant" Verstappen

Nico Rosberg is backing former Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to still have the final word in this season's enthralling F1 championship battle with Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver stretched his advantage over Hamilton in the drivers' standings to 12 points with his eighth win of the year in Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

In contrast, Hamilton has only managed five victories this campaign, his lowest tally at this stage of a season since 2013 as the RB16B has clearly been the better car compared to the W12.

Rosberg, however, feels Hamilton will eventually come out on top and claim a record eighth drivers' title.

Speaking to Sky Germany, he said: “It’s crazy. The cars are exactly the same, the drivers are on the same level and are in a league of their own. Nobody can keep up with them.

“It’s such a high level between the two drivers, the highest level Formula 1 has seen. Phenomenal, huge respect.”

With 133 points still up for grabs, offering his assessment as to who will win the title, Rosberg added: “It’s going to be so close in the last few races, so much is going to happen. It just can’t be topped.

“I can’t predict how it’s going to turn out. Of course, I can assess from the outside what kind of performance they are doing.

“Somehow I would still tend to lean towards Lewis - through experience, and because he normally always wins in the end.

“It’s so difficult to beat him. Somehow I think he can still do it - but Max is a giant right now.”

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