Nico Rosberg Salty He Had to ‘Give the World Championship Back’ to Lewis Hamilton 7 Years After Bitter Exchange

Former Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton shared quite a rivalry between 2014 and 2016. The two fought some gruesome battles for the world championship in this period.

While Hamilton won the title in both 2014 and 2015, Rosberg fought back in 2016 to win his first and only championship. After accomplishing his dream of winning the world title, Rosberg hung up his boots immediately after, to everyone’s surprise.

Since the German chose to retire, he has revealed how he had to give the world championship back to Hamilton. Rosberg said that it was “not cool” that he had to return the title to arguably his greatest-ever rival.

“Had to give it to Lewis“: Nico Rosberg after winning the championship

While speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the Spanish GP, Nico Rosberg joked about how he had to give the world championship back to Lewis Hamilton immediately the year after he won it. The German stated that since drivers only get to keep the trophy the year they win it, he “had to give it to Lewis” the year after.

When asked if he returned it personally, Rosberg replied (as quoted by silverarrows.net), “No. I had someone pick it up from my house, put it in a boot and drive it to Lewis’ home. That was not cool“.

While Rosberg and Hamilton were perhaps the best of friends during their younger days, it all changed when they began fighting for the world championship. The two had multiple collisions on the track and also had some heated exchanges off the track.

Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton still seem to have their differences

While their relationship may no longer be that heated ever since Nico Rosberg retired, the German and Lewis Hamilton still do not seem to see eye to eye. The same is evident as their recent interactions have been solely professional rather than friendly ones.

While Rosberg has attempted to mend his relationship with Hamilton, we have not seen a similar response from the Briton’s side. In an interaction with Graham Bensinger back in 2017, the German stated his desire of wanting to restore his friendly relations with Hamilton.

“I am open to finding our way and even having a good relationship again in the future,” said Rosberg in the interview. Whether the two can rekindle their friendship, Rosberg gave an interesting reason for why he supports the 38-year-old.

While speaking on an Instagram live last year, Rosberg stated, “I support Lewis actually. The better he does, the better it looks on me since I beat him in 2016“. It is pertinent to note that the German is the only driver who has defeated Hamilton for the championship in the same car.