Daniel Riccardo has tipped Nico Rosberg to top Lewis Hamilton in this year’s Drivers’ Championship.

The Mercedes duo have again been the main protagonists in the title race in 2016, with Rosberg leading the way early on, before Hamilton hit back by winning sixes of the seven meetings before the summer break.

However, the German has responded in impressive manner, taking the chequered flag on all three weekends since the season resumed.

That run has seen him surpass his colleague and he now holds an eight-point lead going into next weekend’s Malaysian GP which he is currently 2.30 to win and his rival 2.05.

Rosberg has been second to the Brit in each of the last two seasons but the momentum seems to be on his side with six races to go.

Their duel has been to the frustration of the likes of Red Bull’s Ricciardo, who currently sits third in the standings after finishing second in three of the last four races.

The amiable Australian admits it has been exciting to see the Mercedes duo battle it out, and believes this could finally be the year Rosberg gets the better of his team-mate.

“Before the summer break when Lewis made up that deficit on Nico, I thought no one was going to touch Lewis, but Nico has come back,” he told Sky Sports F1.

When pushed on who he thought would win the title, he replied: “I’m going to throw a spanner in the works and say Rosberg.”

Despite his advantage, Rosberg is currently 2.15 to win the title, with Hamilton still the 1.62 favourite.