Rosberg ready for Hamilton response

Nico Rosberg says he expects Lewis Hamilton to come back stronger following his heartache at last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Brit appeared in full control of the race, only for his engine to catch fire on lap 41 and force him to retire.

Rosberg came home to finish third and extend his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 23 points heading into this weekend in Japan.

After narrowly missing out to his colleague in the last two seasons, it appears this could finally be the German’s year to claim the title and he is the current 1.57 favourite to top the standings, with Hamilton priced at 2.60.

The reigning champion has been plagued by engine issues this season and has publically questioned the Silver Arrows as to why he is always the one to fall foul of these problems.

Mercedes have attributed his difficulties at the Sepang International Circuit to a loss of oil pressure and say they will run the engines of all four of their teams more conservatively over the next few days in Suzuka.

Rosberg says he is expecting a backlash from his colleague over the weekend and admits he will need to be at his best if he is to have any chance of taking a ninth win of the season.

“I know when Lewis has difficulties like that, he will come back fully motivated,” the German said. “So it’s not very encouraging to know he’s going to come back as strong as ever.”

Hamilton is the 2.10 favourite to win this weekend in Japan, with Rosberg closely trailing him at 2.88, while Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo is their nearest rival at 7.00.