It's a brave commentator who would predict the ultimate winner in the Mercedes-dominated title battle in 2016, but if the second half of the Formula One season has shown anything it's that Daniel Ricciardo and his Red Bull might be in the mix come the pointy end next season.
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Rosberg enjoyed a flawless start to the year, but then ceded the momentum to reigning champion and teammate Lewis Hamilton who grabbed the drivers' title lead before the mid-season break. Since then it's been all Rosberg, with three wins in the past four races as he's displayed a coolness of temperament on and off track.
From afar, Hamilton's mood seems to depend on whether he's on top or not. He was gracious in defeat and talking a team game after the Singapore Grand Prix, but alarm bells would be ringing now he's eight points down and chasing.
Ricciardo's form points to great things in the not too distant future. The Red Bull was always going to be competitive at Singapore and he'd obviously set himself for a win. Falling short by half a second was not in the plan, but he said afterwards that he could not be disappointed.
"I am pretty happy – I did all I could," Ricciardo said. "Obviously the strategy still didn't give us victory, but it was good fun to push to the last lap and know I was at least putting some pressure on, and giving the crowd some hope.
"We've come close on numerous occasions, [and today] we gave it a good shot and got within half a second."
The Australian is arguably enjoying an even sweeter purple patch than Rosberg, having overcome the unsettling rounds and bad luck that followed Max Verstappen's switch into the team. Ricciardo has consistently proven faster in qualifying and on track than the Dutch wunderkid and has firmly established his credentials as the man to lead Red Bull's charge when next year's regulations give the car a competitive boost.
There is no certainty about which Mercedes driver will win this year's championship, but it's clear that Ricciardo is the best of the rest and, on his day, can make the most of his opportunities to beat at least one of the dominant team's cars home.
Next year Ricciardo will be aiming not to split the Mercedes, but leave them in his wake.
While the last six races of the season are not expected to suit Red Bull to the same extent as Singapore, Ricciardo insists he has not abandoned hope of claiming a fourth grand prix triumph.
"After the race I said to the team we will win somewhere," he said. "Hopefully we can get some rain and get the victory we are after!"
