Nico Rosberg is sure he can keep pushing teammate Lewis Hamilton in the fight for the 2015 title.
Last year, the Mercedes pair had a close duel for spoils, with Hamilton emerging with his second career title and a palpable boost in confidence.
The Briton appeared to carry that form into this season but Rosberg has also impressed, as he is currently within a single victory of the championship lead.
Asked if he can be the 2015 champion, Rosberg told Spain’s Diario AS: "Definitely. I’m really enjoying the fight with Lewis and I am sure that I am capable of winning, so I keep believing in myself."
Asked what changed in his approach as he ended an early-season dip in form, Rosberg answered: "Nothing. They are simply phases. Nothing has changed in the way I work.
"No, I really don’t think that," he insisted when asked if there might be a technical or psychological explanation.
"It’s like going to the casino and playing blackjack — sometimes you win seven times in a row and sometimes you are on the other side of that."
Rosberg does not even admit that Hamilton has a big upper hand in qualifying, even though he has rarely been quicker than the Briton this year on Saturdays.
"He is very strong, undoubtedly," said the German, "but it’s a matter of tenths. And you’re better off being stronger in the race anyway," he laughed.
Asked to predict which forthcoming circuits he might master better than Hamilton, Rosberg said: "We’re very close and every weekend I have a chance to win.
"No matter where we are, I know that if I do things right I have a chance of beating him."