Inside ‘Nico Rosberg Talks ‘Strange’ Mercedes Atmosphere Due To Lewis Hamilton’ It’s not uncommon for team-mates to also adopt the roles of rivals in Formula 1, and the Mercedes pairing of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton was no exception. The two superstars made little effort to hide the extent of their apathy for one another, and Rosberg has said their heated head-to-head fostered a “strange atmosphere” among the team.
Nico Rosberg Talks ‘Strange’ Mercedes Atmosphere Due To Lewis Hamilton
The German driver joined the Silver Arrows from Williams in 2010 and went on to enjoy seven seasons with the Brackley-based outfit. Rosberg had Hamilton as his partner for the final four of those, culminating in his sole championship triumph at the end of the 2016 campaign.
READ ARTICLE: PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi Is Confident Lionel Messi Will Stay Beyond End Of Season
Few fans are ignorant to the fact the pair proved problematic as a tandem, each having their own ambitions for the title while attempting to lift the team as a whole. And Rosberg has revealed just how the fractious relationship impacted the rest of their outfit.
“The whole team had to maintain a neutral attitude between Lewis and I,” he told Italian daily La Gazzetta Dello Sport. “There was a strange atmosphere within the team because it was clear that there was rivalry within our own garage.
“As a result, there was a spirit within the team without balance – and that made it difficult to get closer together. I was in isolation at the most important point of my career.”
Despite signing a new two-year contract extension with Mercedes, Rosberg made the decision to hang up his helmet after being crowned world champion in 2016. The 37-year-old’s father, Keke, won a world title with Williams in 1982, making them one of only two father-son duos to have each won championships (the other being Graham and Damon Hill).
Rosberg Jr. may have suffered as a result of the power dynamic alongside Hamilton, but the same issues don’t exist for F1’s current dominant outfit. It’s Rosberg’s belief Red Bull’s recent success is at least partially down to the understanding that Sergio Perez is the clear deputy to two-time table-topper Max Verstappen.
“It should be easier for Verstappen – because he is seen as the number one driver by everyone,” added Rosberg. “There is a calmer atmosphere at Red Bull.”
Bad relationship or not, Rosberg didn’t allow the tensions with Hamilton to prevent him from accomplishing wonders in the sport. However, his trophy cabinet would likely be bulging all the more had he benefited from a different dynamic during his Mercedes heydays.
READ ALSO: Arsenal Transfer News: Four Striker Deals Edu Should Consider After Gabriel Jesus Injury
