Nico Rosberg losing the plot, say Niki Lauda and Damon Hill
Former drivers Niki Lauda and Damon Hill are among the experts who say the German is wrong to blame Lewis Hamilton for his on-track woes
Nico Rosberg may not have lost the plot, as some suggested in the wake of his outburst against Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton at Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, but he is feeling the heat.
The German's accusation that the world champion had been selfishly slow as he cruised to a pole-to-flag victory in Shanghai spoke more of mounting frustration than any real grievance.
Hamilton has won eight of the past 10 races and Rosberg, last year's runner-up in a title battle that went down to the wire, has been unable to assert himself in qualifying either this year.
Sure, everyone drives selfish. What do you think these guys are here to do? I call them egocentric b*******.
With Ferrari looking far more competitive, and Sebastian Vettel second in the championship after winning in Malaysia, Rosberg is facing pressure from more than just his teammate.
The mental cracks are starting to show and the next race in Bahrain saw fireworks last year as Hamilton won a wheel-to-wheel duel between the two.
Rosberg knows he needs to step up in Sakhir.
"Nico is just shooting himself in the foot by showing the world he's upset, as if the world can do something about it," said 1996 world champion Damon Hill. "We can't do anything about it.