Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have a long history of competition on the race tracks. However, the two have now reconciled, as Rosberg praised the seven-time world champion.
Formula 1 drivers have a complex relationship with their teammates. Many teammates have the same mindset when it comes to racing at the top of motorsport. As a result, this sometimes causes issues in their friendship off the track. One such pair was Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Both Silver Arrows drivers displayed one of the most intense partnerships on the grid. However, Rosberg described the 39-year-old driver as one of the greatest in F1.
Rosberg and Hamilton have been competing together since Rosberg was just 13 years old. The 38-year-old driver referred to the seven-time world champion as ‘The Greatest of All Time’ due to his performances. Additionally, the German-Finnish driver reminisced about their time as ‘best friends’ during junior karting. Both drivers often performed at a similar level, with one finishing ahead of the other, as pointed out by Rosberg.
Furthermore, the 38-year-old driver jokingly mentioned that Hamilton used to finish ahead of him in junior karting. However, Rosberg emphasized that natural talent was the most important factor in junior karting. Therefore, as the British driver possessed ‘half’ a percent more natural ability, he ended up being superior. However, success in Formula 1 relied more on the ability to work as a team driver.
Just like Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel experienced a period of dominance in Formula 1. Vettel was at his peak during the 2010-2014 seasons. However, after that, Vettel joined Red Bull and made the four-time world champion look inferior. Therefore, Rosberg recalled that moment and compared it to when George Russell joined the Silver Arrows.
Villeneuve believed that Russell was the best driver from the moment he joined Mercedes. After achieving so much success, Hamilton’s performance seemed weak as Russell surpassed him in the very first season. This situation reminded of the Red Bull era before Mercedes’ dominance and contributed to Vettel’s decline.
The current situation at Mercedes is challenging for the former world champion. Hamilton had high hopes of ending his last season with Brackley on a high note. However, the team’s decline in performance has practically ended that possibility for the driver. Therefore, the remaining season will witness the efforts of the German manufacturer to improve the chassis.
