Nico Rosberg has insisted that he will keep pushing in his bid to be crowned world champion, despite retiring in the latter stages of the Italian Grand Prix.

The German had a poor start at Monza, but was closing on second-placed Sebastian Vettel before suffering engine failure.

However, despite seeing teammate Lewis Hamilton win to extend his lead at the top of the drivers' standings to 53 points, Rosberg is refusing to give up on the title.

He is quoted by FOX Sports as saying: "It [the engine] should have been OK theoretically, but when you get into that area of such high mileage then you just need to be a bit unlucky for something to go wrong, and that's the end of it.

"I'm just disappointed. A weekend is a lot of work and to lose it with two laps to go or something, with some OK points - damage limitation it would have been.

"It's not impossible. The hopes have definitely taken a big dent today, but I'll keep pushing. Giving up doesn't exist. So full speed ahead, I have an awesome car, so still definitely trying to win the next couple of races."

Rosberg has not won a race since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.