Wolff predicts F1 title battle will go to final round

Hamilton had fallen 43 points behind Rosberg at one stage, but his recent run of victories has helped him not only close down the deficit but to seize the world championship lead.

While that turnaround is far from ideal for Rosberg, Wolff sees no reason for the German to be too downbeat - and he senses a response that will keep the fight with Hamilton wide open.

"At the beginning of the season he [Rosberg] won so many points against Lewis and you can see it swings both directions," explained Wolff.

"I think at that stage, it is important to finish the task, be capable of winning the race or being solidly on the podium. It is about avoiding mistakes, as DNFs is what can cost you the championship.

"I think we are going to see that swing through the season, and my feeling is that the championship is going to go to the end."

No trigger point

Although Hamilton is currently on top form – having won every race since Monaco apart from Baku – Wolff sees nothing to suggest that the Briton is now unbeatable.

He has also played down suggestions that Hamilton's turnaround in form was inspired by what happened at the Spanish GP when he collided with Rosberg.

"It is just six races – I don't think that one can see a pattern in there," he said. "We had very open discussions with the two of them. We have been with each other for four years now and I think what is important is that each of them concentrate on their strengths.

"You will see a couple of races go towards one and then a couple of races go towards the other. I remember we had the same discussion with Nico, when Nico was doing really well at the end of the season, it was can he maintain that momentum in the next year? He did.

"He was outperforming Lewis a lot at the beginning and everyone was saying, is this the new Nico? And then it turned around. But there is no single event I could attribute to a change of performance."