Rosberg refusing to give up

He may be facing a 48-point deficit but Nico Rosberg is unwavering in his belief that he can still overhaul Lewis Hamilton to win the title.

Coming second at Suzuka in yet another Mercedes 1-2, Rosberg dropped to 48 points behind his team-mate.

It is a massive shortfall especially as no driver has come back from a deficit of more than 24 points in the last five races since the new points system was introduced in 2010.

But despite the odds being against him, Rosberg feels his fight-back from fourth to second at Suzuka is proof that he's still in it.

"Once I got back from Japan I was able to focus on the positive elements from my weekend in Suzuka: pole position, the on-track pass on Bottas and then having the speed to undercut Vettel's Ferrari at the second pit stop," he said.

"I'm not backing down in my fight for the championship and gaining those positions back fair and square showed that.

"We have five races to go and, although the championship gap to Lewis is quite big, in my mind it's definitely not over yet.

"The way the whole team has performed this year – from the factories to the garage – has been incredible and I have the car I need to get back to the top step."

But in order to reach that top step Rosberg will have to beat his team-mate, something he was not able to do last season in Russia.

Although Mercedes claimed the 1-2 on the grid and again on the Sunday, it was in Hamilton's favour.

Rosberg added: "I really enjoyed our first trip to Russia last year and it was an awesome weekend for the team – one that I will always remember after seeing all the hard work they've put in during my time here.

"So I'm aiming to put all those tools they've given me to good use and bring home a top result."