Spa crash was turning-point for Rosberg defeat - Wolff

The Belgian grand prix in August was the turning point of Nico Rosberg’s ill-fated 2014 championship campaign.

There, at Spa-Francorchamps, the German famously collided with eventual champion Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg was squarely blamed and heavily rebuked by Mercedes officials, prompting Hamilton to declare "war" and go on win the next five grands prix on the trot.

Team boss Toto Wolff admits that Spa might have been the turning-point for the once on-form Rosberg.

"Spa was very difficult for Nico," he told Germany’s Sport Bild.

"Maybe it even confused him because he didn’t know anymore what is right and what is wrong," added Wolff.

"We might have to sit down and discuss the situation again, as we want to handle these situations better in 2015," he said.

"We have to admit that, as a team, we did not always handle things exactly right."

However, Wolff said that although Hamilton is now the new double world champion, that is no reason Rosberg cannot return to top form next year.

"Nico beat Lewis in his prime discipline this year, which is qualifying," said the Austrian.

"He has all the ingredients you need to take on Lewis Hamilton and become world champion."