Rosberg reveals the title 'terror' he believes Antonelli will face: 'He's not superhuman'

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the inaugural race at the Madring circuit, where Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers' championship with his eighth win of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix, the 2016 world champion was remarkably open about the mental burden his own title battle against Lewis Hamilton placed on him.

Despite the stark warning, Rosberg made clear he has been astonished by the composure Antonelli has shown this season. The 20-year-old charged from P19 to victory at his home Italian Grand Prix at Monza and, during his latest win in Madrid, brushed the wall five laps from the end before calmly reporting it to his team. It is precisely the kind of ice-cold composure that has left the paddock stunned. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said Antonelli was "as cool as a cucumber".

It is not the first time the 2016 champion has raised the mental dimension of Antonelli's title bid. Before the Dutch Grand Prix, Rosberg warned that Antonelli could face a growing psychological battle, drawing on his own championship-winning experience to explain the mental toll the final stretch of a season can bring.

With Antonelli now sitting 81 points ahead of teammate George Russell, who has already conceded he is not in the title fight, and Verstappen himself having tipped the Italian for the crown after Madrid, Rosberg's message carries weight heading into Baku. The talent is beyond question but the real test, as Rosberg knows better than most, is surviving the fear that comes when you can almost touch the championship.