Rosberg: Mercedes can keep edge over Ferrari

Rosberg slipped to third place in the Formula 1 drivers' standings after the Russian Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel was once again Mercedes' main challenger as he shadowed Lewis Hamilton to take second place.

But with Ferrari preparing to get a head start with 2016 engine development by introducing an engine update later this season, the Maranello-based outfit is ramping up its challenge for next year's title.

Rosberg, however, believes that the progress Mercedes has made in staving off Ferrari so far has been impressive, and thinks it still has what it takes to keep Vettel behind.

"Ferrari are doing a great job and we respect their attack on us, and have a close eye on them," said Rosberg.

"But at the same time, we are confident because we have an awesome team, and even when they are coming at us this year, we have always pulled away again.

"We showed that after Singapore, where we had a disaster, while in Russia and Suzuka we were strong and back to where we were at the beginning of the season.

"So we are really showing that we can fight them in terms of development and everything."

Personal gains

Rosberg believes there are areas where he has improved himself over the course of the season, and knows the specifics of where he can do better too.

"What I need to dig into of course is understanding the qualifying from the first part of the year," said Rosberg, who was beaten to pole position more often than not by team-mate Hamilton.

"Now it has been coming good, but I don't know the exact reason for that. So that is what I need to dig in to to try to understand.

"It is important in the fight, to work on every area that has been a weak point really and that has cost me."