Nico Rosberg backs Sebastian Vettel: "All it takes in Formula 1 is one good race"

2016 world champion Nico Rosberg still backs his fellow countryman Sebastian Vettel despite his rocky start, as Rosberg explains one good win can swing the entire agenda in Formula 1.

Vettel has had a disappointing start to the 2019 season, finishing fourth and fifth in Australia and Bahrain respectively. The latter of the two races saw the four-time champion spin out as well after being overtaken by the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, which gave the Italian media all the more reason to attack Vettel.

"It is just a phase Sebastian is going through," Rosberg told Press Association Sport in Berlin, where he made an appearance ahead of the ePrix there.

"You need to find your way out of that phase, and Sebastian is a four-time world champion, so I am sure he will be able to manage that.

"He needs to get into a positive spiral again, and all it takes in Formula 1 is just one good race, so if he wins in China, then off he'll go."

Vettel hasn't won since Belgium in 2018, which is a 10-race drought, potentially 11 if he fails to win in Shanghai. Ferrari have the tools to turn that around, though, thinks Rosberg.

"Mercedes have had the better start to the season in terms of points, but it looks as though Ferrari have got the better car.

"In Bahrain, Ferrari allowed Sebastian and Charles [Leclerc] to race freely, but they have two competitive drivers so that will be so hard to manage.

"Lewis, however, is as usual; he is always on it, so I still see him as the favourite for the championship."