Nov.9 (GMM) Nico Rosberg does not yet have the 2016 title in the bag, according to former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
German Rosberg is, however, within striking distance of beating Lewis Hamilton, because a repeat of his 2015 win at Interlagos this weekend will see him wear the crown.
“For the moment, things are going well for Rosberg,” 1997 world champion Villeneuve told www.Minute-Auto.fr.
“He is driving with a lot of maturity and reflection, even if he has lacked speed in the last two races.
“Hamilton has returned to his previous level of concentration but both drivers have had difficult periods and Rosberg is the more responsive,” the French Canadian added.
“I feel that he is progressing every season, unlike Hamilton who relies on his natural talent alone.”
So Villeneuve does not buy into the claim that, if he wins, Rosberg will only be champion because the latter ran into consistent technical trouble.
“No, because Nico also had glitches,” he said.
“It (his success) is that throughout the season, he was focused on every grand prix and if he wins the championship, it would have been the little things that allowed him to do it.
“But nothing is decided,” Villeneuve said. “A small problem for Rosberg and Hamilton can leave Brazil leading the world championship. So it’s not over.”