Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg played mind games with his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to secure the title in 2014.
Nico Rosberg had to secure the victory at all costs to win the 2014 championship. Moreover, for that to happen, Lewis Hamilton had to finish below the third position.
It was Rosberg’s first serious opportunity to win the championship after an amazing battle with his teammate. Both the drivers spoke after the Abu Dhabi season finale qualifying.
The German driver secured the pole position ahead of Hamilton. Besides, all he had to do was lead the race in its entirety, but things did not go as planned.
Nico Rosberg’s mind games with Lewis Hamilton
The 2016 World Champion had several inspirations to look up to for handling championship pressure. His father, 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg was one of them.
Rosberg did discuss with the media about taking advice from his father. He explained that he had a long discussion with Keke Rosberg on it.
Onboard with Nico Rosberg for his Pole lap of Abu Dhabi in 2014. This race was famous for it’s controversial double points rule, meaning all points scoring drivers got double the amount they would usually get for their position 🏁#F1 pic.twitter.com/RD6ooy8xwb
— Ashley (@hxmblyf1) March 9, 2021
Besides, there were plenty of dodging questions and mind games during the entire weekend from Rosberg’s side. He discussed Hamilton’s mistake in qualifying who led the practice sessions.
He explained: “The pressure and making a mistake; as a result, a bit like today and a bit like Brazil then that’s the sort of opportunities that I’m trying to push for.”
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Lewis Hamilton had the last laugh and became the world champion in 2014
Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, was disappointed with his performance. He expressed how Nico Rosberg did an additional lap, which could be an advantage.
However, the Briton had a firm answer when talking about the mind games. He added: “Rosberg is sure trying everything possible in his head to come up with some way of dealing with things. That’s how he deals with it. I just keep to myself and do the talking on the track.”
The seven times world champion had the last laugh as he won the race and also the world championship. Rosberg, on the other hand, could only finish fourteenth.
#OnThisDay Lewis Hamilton won his 2nd championship at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. #F1 This was his first title since 2008. pic.twitter.com/2eMbPRDx7E
— F1Guy2002 🇲🇾 (@hwanglikleow) November 23, 2018
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