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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 20: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP celebrates in Parc Ferme after winning the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 20, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 20: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP celebrates in Parc Ferme after winning the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 20, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Nico Rosberg only one driver who has driven alongside the two legends of the sport. Having been teammates with both Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton in his career with Mercedes, Rosberg somehow made it out successful and a champion. However, in today’s debate about how is better Schumacher or Hamilton, Rosberg gets crafty with his answer.
In a recent interview, Rosberg was told that he was the only driver to beat Schumacher and Hamilton as teammates. To this, Rosberg replied, “Maybe I am the GOAT! Of course, I’m just kidding.”
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MONTE CARLO, MONACO – MAY 23: Lewis Hamilton (R) of Great Britain and McLaren listens as Michael Schumacher (L) of Germany and Mercedes GP talks at the drivers press conference during previews to the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit on May 23, 2012 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
In a sport where your teammate is your biggest competitor, maybe Rosberg isn’t completely wrong. In 2012, Rosberg outscored Schumacher on the driver’s standings and also outscored him. The stats are in Rosberg’s favor; although Schumacher’s career overall is a different story.
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His infamous rivalry with Hamilton had also always been exceptionally close. 2016, however, is when Rosberg had his moment; robbing Lewis Hamilton of the title is something only a few drivers can be proud of.
Nico Rosberg has an answer to the debate
Nico Rosberg is the only driver with the credentials to answer the Schumacher-Hamilton debate. For him, it’s Lewis Hamilton. “Lewis has an amazing natural talent. If we look at talent, he’s probably the best of all time. And he really builds on that, that instinct is phenomenal with him.”
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 27: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP congratulates second place finisher and World Drivers Champion Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP on the podium during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 27, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Although if Lewis was talented, Michael Schumacher was more diligent in his craft. “Michael, he would drive tests every day, even though he is a seven-time world champion. But because he also knows that you can always learn a little bit there.”
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However, with Formula 1 having so many eras and changes to it, the GOAT argument falls short; in this sport, there is no “all-time”. With no uniform rules or machinery, there is no scale to measure drivers against each other.
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Nonetheless, what goes without saying is that Hamilton and Schumacher were absolute titans of the sports. Both record setters and breakers- they have written F1’s story. Now, with Hamilton looking to make history by breaking the Red Baron’s record of 7 titles, will he be impeded by another growing legend of the sport?
Watch this story: F1 Driver Salaries Revealed: How Much Do Lewis Hamilton & Co. Earn?
