Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver, Nico Rosberg has arrived in Kuala Lumpur, fresh from his 2016 World Drivers Championship win at the final race on the Formula 1 calendar in Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, joined by the team’s executive director Toto Wolff.
“Lewis is one of the best in the world, one of the best ever, surely, so to race him is incredibly intense and the level of competition is extremely high out there; it feels like I’ve been racing him forever. It’s difficult to get those championships because he’s always edged me out, and now finally to get one back on him, that was awesome,” Rosberg said.
“I’m sure we caused Toto many, many grey hairs along the way,” Rosberg quipped, going on to thank Wolff for managing the drivers, and attributed much of the team’s success to him, Niki Lauda and Paddy Lowe.
Now that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has two world champions under its wing, what kind of challenge will the team face?
“I think it makes it easier, because Nico has achieved what he has always wanted to achieve, and when we started the project in 2014 it was clear that we didn’t want to have one preferred driver,” said Wolff.
Now that Rosberg has won the driver’s championship, will it affect his hunger to continue winning in the future? “I love to compete, I love to beat everybody else, and that doesn’t change. It’s always going to be the same, whatever the results have been in the past,” assured Rosberg.
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Nick has been one consistent driver. And to see him beating Hamilton is even better after Hamilton declined team orders to back off.
Did you even watched the race? Lewis was told to SPEED up since the diva Nico could not overtake Lewis and was afraid Vettel and the Red Bull boys are going to overtake him. Nico is a fraud champion.
To say Merc scripted this season is not completely unfounded and Lulu only got himself to blame, for not wanting to be like a champion out of race track. Too selfish and self destruct so the team scorn him. He can count himself lucky as the team still let him into the car. He have to remember there are many world champions in F1 now who are equally good but in inferior car or without a seat?
It’s quite obvious that Rosberg won the championship because his team sabotaged his team mate’s car in several races. Otherwise, Hamilton would have been the champion. Having said that, I would rather have Rosberg win the championship this season as Hamilton has become cocky and arrogant. It was not long ago in his McLaren days that he mentioned Rosberg was the best of pals since their go kart days but once Rosberg became a formidable challenger, he started to turn on Rosberg. I’m sure he picked this up from Alonso.
I always thought drivers try to drive as fast as possible to win but LH was driving as slow as possible to win. It’s hard for me to accept his reasonings & strategy
You don’t win a world championship by forcing the other guy to lose out or crash, period. It’s like breaking Messi’s leg in the first five minutes ON PURPOSE just so your team has a chance at winning the final. What Hamilton did was disgraceful. How he conducted himself AFTER was even worse. Vettel looked more like Nico’s teammate. Champions win it AND lose it the right way. Nico gave credit to Hamilton for his abilities on the track, which is what makes a truer champion.
Well said TheDean. I like a champion who have their dignity intact. The action/reaction by Hamilton is a shame to be called Champion. It is disgusting to see someone of Hamilton caliber/talent to employ such tactics.
No wonder you all are losers in life. Champions will use all legal methods to win, even though it may not look nice to snowflakes like you fellas.
Yup, it’s ok if it was Hamilton. If Rosberg done it, Rosberg will bring shame to the team, sponsor etc. and get punish.
Yup, Hamilton is better racer than Rosberg. That’s why it’s ok for him to do what he did at Abu Dhabi. If Rosberg has done it, he will get punish.
Thanks 4 telling me that U will do ANYTHING to win including loosing your dignity along the way. U must be a “Very Successful” fella to call me/us a looser.
You are talking nonsense. Lewis did not do anything illegal. It is within his rights to slow down the pace of the race since no one could overtake him and he is the best driver in a Mercedes. Meanwhile Nico was purposely trying to push people off the track earlier this season, especially to Lewis and to Max.
Congrats to Rosberg and AMG Mercedes team. Next year, their advantage will be wiped out under the new regulations. If the 2nd half of 2016 is any indication, where Red Bull had improved tremendously despite having an inferior power unit, next year may be RBR’s year. Hoping that McLaren Honda can get their act together too and start challenging for higher points. Should a very interesting year in 2017.
Hope to see a closer race next year between the F1 teams. At least it will stop Mercedes from playing dirty with its drivers.