When Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg started as professional race drivers, being of the same age, they were best friends. They had a heartwarming relationship even when the two united at Mercedes.
However, F1 is fiercely competitive when a team runs for the championship. Even the best bonds fall apart. That’s what was the case between Hamilton and Rosberg.
The fight for being the best got so toxic between the two that eventually, Mercedes became the victim of their competition. Now, six years after the end of their rivalry, the two drivers still don’t even share a cordial relationship.
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Lewis Hamilton reveals when did all go wrong with Nico Rosberg
In the four years together, Mercedes competed for the championship in three years. Thus, Rosberg and Hamilton were vying for the championship and soon ended their relationship, and Hamilton points exactly when it happened.
“Our first race together, he led the whole race, I was behind him, and I overtook him in the last lap,” said Hamilton. “That’s where our relationship started.”
Hamilton further claimed that since then, Rosberg has attempted to settle the score, resulting in the two teammates drifting apart. The Briton then added that there is room for only one champion while subtly suggesting it’s him.
It all ended in 2016
Hamilton, in the first three seasons at Mercedes, had the upper hand against Rosberg. But in 2016, the tides changed for the German, and he managed to clinch his first F1 title.
Rosberg finally won the championship with a mere difference of five points in the table. However, it was stressful for both drivers as their rivalry couldn’t have been more toxic than that.
So much that Rosberg couldn’t take that pressure anymore and took retirement a few days after his championship win. By doing that, he also passed around $100 million, which Mercedes promised him in the next contract extension.
With that, even Mercedes learnt that there is room for only one champion. So, next, they chose a docile partner in Valtteri Bottas for Hamilton, who was willing to be just a deputy driver at Mercedes even though he had championship aspirations.
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