“Can’t Always Say the Truth”: 9 Years After Brutal Loss to Hamilton, Rosberg Confesses His Crimes

Over a Formula 1 career that has spanned over 15 years, Lewis Hamilton has had countless rivalries. The latest one is with Max Verstappen but the most prominent one was with Nico Rosberg. That was an intra-team rivalry for the ages. Out of those thrilling battles that they had, the most flabbergasting one was the 2014 Bahrain GP. A nail-biter that was eventually won by the 7x champ. 9 years after that loss, the German racer has come out of the burrows to change his stance on the same.

“I was on a real knife-edge at the end,” said Hamilton, after winning the 2014 Bahrain GP by 1.085 seconds. This was the time when Mercedes was miles ahead of its rivals. So, the two teammates battling for victory was rip-roaring while the others languished almost half a minute behind this pair. After a well-fought wheel-to-wheel battle, Hamilton eventually came out on top. He described the race as the toughest of his career up till that point. On the other hand, Rosberg stated how much he enjoyed the battle despite losing it. But his recent revelation indicates that there was nothing fun about that race.

On the latest episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Rosberg was asked about what the post-race debriefs looked like for him and Hamilton after the intense battles. He replied, “I remember after Bahrain, I said that was the most fun I’ve had in a racing car. But the truth was I was seriously angry and seriously hurt from finishing second to Lewis. It was zero fun. As race drivers, we have to be a bit of Hollywood. You can’t always say the truth all the time. Otherwise, it’s gonna backfire.”

Read More: “Don’t Think Lewis Will Win Another Title”: Hamilton’s $127,000,000 Optimism Ripped Apart With Harsh Reality Check

His statements might not have backfired but his lack of pace to Hamilton sure did. But, according to a former 3-time World Champion, along with Rosberg’s 2016 World Championship, there was one place where he won outright.

Sir Jackie Stewart places Nico Rosberg’s mindset on a pedestal while disapproving of Lewis Hamilton

Before Lewis Hamilton signed with Mercedes for 2013 and beyond, his old karting pal, Rosberg already had 3 years of experience driving for the Silver Arrows. Still, Hamilton out-qualified him. But Rosberg never gave up. His hunger for glory eventually translated into the 2016 WDC. Sir Jackie Stewart, in his latest interview, highlighted the same.

“During this time, Lewis only had one real competitor, his respective team-mate,” Stewart told BILD. “Except for 2016, he always emerged victorious from the duel, and then he lost to Nico Rosberg. With respect, [Rosberg is] a good driver, but not the most talented in the world. Rosberg was hungry and had the absolute will to become world champion. Lewis no longer has that hunger. Because of that, and because the car is no longer quite as powerful, he has serious problems.”

Their on-track competition might have ended 7 years ago. But the rivalry seemingly never will.

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