Nico Rosberg expects a close duel between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, but does not believe it will escalate
Will Formula 1 see another really exciting team duel at the front of the field next season? Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari is eagerly awaited by many. Because at Ferrari, Hamilton will face Charles Leclerc, who is considered one of the best drivers in the field and, above all, the future of the Scuderia.
Nico Rosberg is also looking forward to seeing how the dynamic between his former team-mate and Leclerc will develop. Although Hamilton has clearly lost out to team-mate George Russell so far in the 2024 season, Rosberg believes that both Ferrari drivers will be “on a very similar level”.
However, he expects a tough battle between the drivers.
But will it be a fierce duel, like the one Rosberg once had with Hamilton at Mercedes? The German can’t imagine that: “Charles doesn’t seem to me to be someone who gets too involved in conflicts with his team-mate. That will make it easier,” he says on Sky. “From that point of view, it might not be too confrontational. “
Hamilton inferior in qualifying?
But: Hamilton is not someone who is particularly difficult internally either, emphasizes Rosberg, although people could well disagree in the team duel between the two at the time. “I think it will be fine,” he says.
However, he is curious to see how Hamilton will fare against the Monegasque, especially in qualifying, because according to Rosberg, he is “perhaps the second-best qualifier in Formula 1 behind Max Verstappen” – and Hamilton will be 40 next year. “At some point, you will slow down a bit, especially on one lap,” he judges.
However, Fernando Alonso, at 42, shows that it doesn’t have to be that way, and with Michael Schumacher at Mercedes, Rosberg has seen from his own experience how you can still drive to pole position at the age of 43.
Hamilton and Ferrari? That fits!
He also believes that the combination of Hamilton and Ferrari can go together. Hamilton has always been a fan of road cars and could therefore drive for the two most legendary Formula 1 teams.
“It also seems to be the better decision for him in terms of performance,” he says. “Maybe he’ll make another outstanding switch like he did ten years ago when he came from McLaren to Mercedes. McLaren were winning races back then, Mercedes were nowhere. “
“But when he came, McLaren went backwards and Mercedes started winning. Maybe he’ll manage that kind of timing again. “