Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton’s on-track rivalry might have come to a close. But that doesn’t stop the two from taking a stick at each other from time to time.
With Rosberg retiring from the sport after his 2016 win, the German has been behind the screen as a vlogger and F1 pundit. But he takes pride in boasting about his title win in 2016 where he beat Lewis Hamilton in equal machinery. A remarkable feat for sure!
And in return, Hamilton never regards Nico as a tough rival. Just shows that the two still have some level of competition around each other.
In response, Rosberg has revealed his top 5 F1 drivers list of all time. The driver includes Hamilton’s rival Max Verstappen in the list but places the Briton only 3rd behind other legends of the sport.
Which drivers does Nico Rosberg rate above Lewis Hamilton?
Nico Rosberg released his all-time top 5 F1 drivers list. And the 2016 F1 World Champion is certain that the current Champion Max Verstappen will join the list if he continues his current form for a few more seasons.
But his top two do not include former teammate Lewis Hamilton. Rosberg says his list would include him but only behind 7-time F1 Champion Michael Schumacher and the late Ayrton Senna.
He says, “It would be Schumacher, Senna, Hamilton, Fangio and maybe someday Verstappen.” This is despite Lewis holding the record for most wins, poles, titles and all other records in F1.
Furthermore, Rosberg even rated Lewis’s current teammate George Russell higher than him. The former F1 champion claims that Russell beating Lewis in equal machinery and consistently in his first season with Mercedes is an incredible feat.
Rosberg adds, “Lewis has his special days, very often, where he is right behind him. But even then Russell is always behind him.”
Also Read: Nico Rosberg reveals mind games behind infamous ‘throwing cap’ at Lewis Hamilton incident
Max Verstappen could be an F1 GOAT according to Rosberg
Nico Rosberg believes Max Verstappen put in one of the best performances by a driver in an F1 season. The Dutchman ramped up 17 wins in 22 rounds of racing, breaking the record for most wins by a driver in a season.
Rosberg feels considering Max’s current form, the Dutchman is ‘sure’ to be on F1’s top 5 drivers list soon. “He’s not in it yet, but will be very soon,” claims Rosberg
Rosberg however feels Lewis Hamilton was more unlucky considering his difficult start to the season. but he managed to put in some terrific performances towards the end.
And this doesn’t stop him form predicting that Lewis could be back in a title fight for 2023 if he gets a competitive car. He said, “Some of his performances towards the end of the season were ultra special.”
He adds, “He is still at his very very best. And that’s why next year if he has a good car, he could be challenging for the title. But he will have to battle George Russell.”
