So when asked about his first match point ahead of Mexico this weekend and the possibility he could be champion, Rosberg told the APA news agency: “Of course I’m aware of it.”
But he insisted he will not change his approach.
“I will focus on Mexico and trying to get the victory there,” said Rosberg.
He also told Bild newspaper: “In Formula 1, you can’t expect anything. If you start thinking in your mind that it’s over, then you’ve already lost. So I’m still going to every race to win.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, thinks Rosberg also needs to score points in Mexico, or the championship would once again be wide open.
“He has to be careful he does not DNF — that’s what counts,” Wolff said. “Nico is in a difficult situation. He has to stay aggressive on one side, but on the other side not risk a crash.”
Team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda agrees that Rosberg will definitely be thinking about the title now.
“Nico is thinking about the championship, no matter what he says,” said Lauda. “Sometimes you just have to go tactical, but if you go too slow then things can start to go wrong.”