Rosberg backs ‘outsider’ Ferrari for F1 title upset

2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes Ferrari has a chance of stealing the constructors’ title this season.

The Italian squad was victorious on home soil last weekend at Monza as Charles Leclerc sealed its third victory of the campaign.

It now sits just 40 points behind Red Bull, who is also being challenged at the top of the standings by McLaren.

While Rosberg believes McLaren remain the favourite to seal this year’s constructors’ championship, the 39-year-old also sees Ferrari as a contender.

“Yes of course it could happen,” Rosberg told the Sky F1 podcast.

“With the form they have, they are not the favourites. McLaren, by far, are the favourites.

“It depends on this upgrade. The upgrade from Ferrari looked good but Monza is such an outlier track. Is it going to look good at other places?

“We need to wait to have that answer –  if it is working so well, it will have an outsider’s shot at taking the constructors’.”

Rosberg hails Vasseur influence on Monza strategy call

Leclerc’s victory at Monza came after Ferrari opted for a one-stop strategy, allowing it to fend off the two-stopping Oscar Piastri.

Rosberg believes team principal Frederic Vasseur played an instrumental role in making the decision to attempt the alternate race strategy.

“That would certainly be Fred’s influence,” Rosberg stated. “Fred is a racer. He doesn’t need to follow what a computer is telling him, he goes by feel, and what he sees.

“It’s a nice contrast to some of those nerdy engineers in front of their numbers and screens who sometimes forget to look outside at what’s really happening.

“Also, it was a big decision to make because it was a less than 50 per cent chance that they would get the win by doing that.

“It was rolling the dice, looking at the odds, saying ‘it’s worth a try. We are in Monza, there is a 35-40 per cent of winning if we try this, so let’s go for it.

“It worked out, but it was a gamble.”