“We’ll Not End Up Like Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton”: Max Verstappen Once Mulled Over Working Things Out With Childhood Frenemy

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc developed quite a rivalry during their karting days. The tussle continued as they grew up and competed in senior championships. However, Max was not averse to the idea of teaming up with the Monegasque but did not guarantee a clash wouldn’t happen. He assured it wouldn’t be as bad as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s situation, though.

The rivalry between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton was among the best teammate vs teammate drama F1 has ever witnessed. Between 2014 and 2016, they were each other’s competition, as no other team could compete at their level. On a couple of occasions, they crashed into each other. Hamilton won 2 championships during that time, while Rosberg won one in 2016 and retired.

Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport in 2019, Verstappen said, “I think we [Leclerc and him] could work well together.”

“I do not rule out that we will clash, but we will not end up like Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. Of course, it is a more difficult situation than a team where one driver is much faster, but it is not impossible.”

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Despite the cut-throat competition between the two Mercedes teammates, Rosberg considers Lewis one of the greatest F1 drivers. He recently spelled out his list of 5 greatest F1 drivers ever and his old nemesis made the list.

Nico Rosberg picks Lewis Hamilton in his 5 greatest F1 drivers of all time

Nico Rosberg’s YouTube channel is a great platform for new F1 fans to educate themselves. Before each race, Rosberg gives a tour of the track on a simulator and explains how professional drivers approach different parts. He also releases videos of his analysis of races and drivers. He recently released a video of the top 5 drivers of 2022. While doing that, he also revealed his top-5 drivers of all time. While Nico praised Max Verstappen, he did not think he was ready to make the list yet. His old teammate-rival ranked pretty high on the list though.

Rosberg said, “For me, it’s almost sure that he’s going to be a top-five driver of all time, with the likes of Senna, Hamilton, and Schumacher and someone else where fourth you’d pick Fangio, of course. It’s Schumacher, Senna, Hamilton, and Fangio. That’s top four and it’s quite an easy one, I think. And then you’d put Verstappen there very soon, not yet because he has only two titles, but he’ll be there very soon, I’m sure. So that’s very impressive. He’s only 24-25 years old.”

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Do you think sparks wouldn’t fly if two ultra-competitive drivers like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc would come together? No chance!