Rosberg: Ferrari lacking consistency to win a championship

2016 Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg believes that Ferrari lacks the consistency required to win a world championship. Despite having the stronger car versus Mercedes at several points during the season, it was Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes who took both titles in 2018.

Rosberg pointed to the errors Ferrari made this season as the key area they must improve upon for next year, adding that the team had a strong platform to build on already.

Speaking to German publication Bild am Sonntag, he maintained that the team was on the right track to end Mercedes' recent dominance in F1.

“Basically, Ferrari just needs to continue in 2019," he summarised.

“They managed to build a brilliant car. On that basis, I trust them that they will come back very strongly from the winter break.”

The 2016 champion also picked up on the reluctance to use team orders and fully support Sebastian Vettel in the title race, an issue Ferrari has had no problem with in the past.

“They made so many strategy mistakes, also in team cohesion.

“It was weird because Ferrari always led the way with team orders. But as a driver, if you feel that you do not have full support, it can affect you in your mind and your focus.

“If you do not agree with your team – and in Sebastian’s case rightly so – it is difficult.

“We also can’t forget that Sergio Marchionne was very strongly involved with the team. But you have to say that Mercedes managed to compensate without Niki Lauda."