Can Nico Rosberg maintain his momentum from 2016?

Nico Rosberg ends the season with six consecutive pole positions and three wins in a row, but the real question is whether he can maintain this momentum in 2016 and become a real challenger to Lewis Hamilton.

Halfway through the season, Nico Rosberg had to admit that his teammate Lewis Hamilton had taken the upper hand. The German struggled to keep up with the Briton in Great Britain, Belgium, and elsewhere, and technical problems in Italy and Russia only compounded his difficulties. Rosberg was therefore never able to build the momentum he needed at the start of the season to challenge for the title. However, when the European rounds began, the tide seemed to turn. A solid victory in Spain, a lucky triumph in Monaco, and a convincing win in Austria suggested that Rosberg might finally overtake Hamilton. But just as the German seemed to be gaining the psychological upper hand, the opposite happened: Hamilton bounced back strongly on his home turf, and a series of setbacks for Rosberg allowed the Briton to take control of the title fight. Despite a few surprises in Hungary and Singapore, Hamilton remained dominant, finally clinching his third world championship in Austin, Texas.

In Austin, a simple driving error cost Rosberg a victory that could have delayed Hamilton's title and shaken the Briton's confidence. From that moment on, Rosberg seemed like a different driver, humble and remorseful. In the remaining races in Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi, he left only crumbs for his teammate, delivering pure, fast, and error-free performances that reminded everyone, especially Hamilton, of his own potential.

But this resurgence came too late to threaten his triple world champion teammate. Could Rosberg become a future title contender? Do his late-season victories, won against a rival who seemed distracted, represent a final burst of momentum at the end of a cycle?

No one can say whether Mercedes will maintain its dominance in 2016. Ferrari has already closed the gap this year, with Sebastian Vettel looking to be in top form, and the resources of Renault and Honda, two of the most powerful engine manufacturers on the grid, should not be underestimated.

Rosberg has already had two chances to win the title, in 2014 and 2015, both lost to Hamilton, and his defeat this year was even more decisive. Psychologically, his three late victories should allow him to enjoy a peaceful off-season. But when the 2016 season begins and all the drivers are focused on winning, will the German have what it takes to finally win the championship? So far, he has yet to prove himself.