Sebastian Vettel set Lewis Hamilton mission at Chinese Grand Prix by Nico Rosberg
SEBASTIAN VETTEL has been told he must beat Lewis Hamilton at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend by ex-F1 star Nico Rosberg.
Ferrari have had the quicker car in both of the opening two races of the season.
However, Mercedes have a 100 per cent one-two record in each and will be looking for a similar result at this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.
Vettel is coming under mounting pressure to end Ferrari’s 12-year title drought.
And 2016 F1 champion Rosberg reckons his former Mercedes team-mate Hamilton could face a stern battle this time around.
“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.”
Vettel has yet to finish on the podium this season.
And that is one reason Rosberg thinks Hamilton will go on to win his sixth world title.
“Mercedes have had the better start to the season in terms of points, but it looks as though Ferrari have got the better car,” added Rosberg.
“In Bahrain, Ferrari allowed Sebastian and Charles 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.”
The Chinese Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday at 7.10am (BST).