Nico Rosberg has issued a warning to McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The two teammates are currently embroiled in a title fight, reminiscent of the previous internal Mercedes battle between Rosberg and his then teammate Lewis Hamilton. The German was initially good friends with the seven-time world champion, until ‘the relationship with Lewis became increasingly strained’ during the Silver War.
Nico Rosberg raced alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. After his debut year with the Silver Arrows, Rosberg battled for the world title against his British teammate for three seasons. While Hamilton clinched the title in 2014 and 2015, Rosberg finally came out on top in 2016. Five days after winning his only title, Rosberg decided to leave Formula 1. Due to multiple clashes between the German and teammate Hamilton on his way to the title, there was little left of the friendship between the two by the end.
“I first met Lewis when I was thirteen years old and we were friends ever since. The problem is that once you’re in Formula 1, and if you suddenly start fighting each other for the win and even the world title in every race, cracks begin to appear,” Rosberg explains to Sky Sports. “The relationship with Lewis gradually became more strained. It went from bad to worse, until it completely got out of hand.””The two Mercedes drivers collided at the height of the Silver War, the nickname for the internal title fight, in the opening round of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. As a result, both drivers were out of the race, and Max Verstappen was able to secure his first Grand Prix win. “The hardest moments were the crashes,” admits Rosberg. “Who was at fault? Who took the blame? It was incredibly intense at that moment. In the heat of the battle, when we got out of the car, it was so difficult. Lewis and I never really took the time to have an open conversation about it.”
Piastri and Norris
Rosberg now sees a similar scenario unfolding at McLaren. Oscar Piastri currently leads the drivers’ championship, closely followed by teammate and biggest title rival Lando Norris. “The similarities between Lando and Oscar now, and Lewis and I in the past are there,” says the 39-year-old analyst. “Every race they fight for pole positions and race victories, but it’s still very harmonious. The question is, can it remain this harmonious or will there be big problems ahead?” Rosberg wonders.
