“An exciting season! » This is how Nico Rosberg described this year 2024 as F1.
The former Mercedes champion was blown away by the unpredictability of the second half of the year, he explains.
« We've had seven multiple winners if I'm not mistaken. »
« We arrived at each race not knowing who was going to win. Once it was Mercedes, another time Ferrari, then McLaren, then Red Bull again. »
For Nico Rosberg, the championship, especially around Monza, was so close that Max Verstappen would even have had the shock against Lando Norris' McLaren F1.
« Even the world championship was really open at one point. Verstappen was really afraid of losing him » he said.
« Since Imola he no longer had the fastest car and Lando was flying around the track. »
« So it's quite miraculous and truly a testament to Verstappen's brilliant talent that he was able to win this championship and wrap it up so early. »
« McLaren and Lando were simply faster and stronger. It was truly phenomenal and exciting. We really thought it would go all the way. Everything was thrilling. »
Nico Rosberg puts a coin on Lando Norris
For next year, will Lando Norris be able to confirm that he is a potential world champion? If he were to face Max Verstappen again, would he emerge victorious?
Nico Rosberg, the 2016 champion, would indeed bet on the Briton next year!
« He showed raw speed that I would say is at the level of the best, even Max Verstappen, » Rosberg said. “ So the raw speed is there. She is very phenomenal and worthy of a world champion. »
« Where we still saw some issues is that he has some inner demons that manifest in a mistake or two. »
« The most notable was in Singapore, where he led by 20 seconds and almost went off track twice. It was almost strange. He still needs to work on this to reduce these errors, which is an area where Piastri is stronger. »
« In summary, Lando has a bit more pure speed. We saw it again this weekend in qualifying. Piastri is not as fast in his performance peaks, but he is always consistent, always there, without mistakes. Lando is the favorite to win the championship next year. But clearly, Oscar also has a chance to win the drivers' title. »
Nico Rosberg even makes Lando Norris his favorite for the title in 2025… According to him, it is more Red Bull than Max Verstappen which will reduce the Dutchman's chances next year.
« Yes. I mean, he's the favorite to win the championship next year. There's no reason why he shouldn't be, right? Because at the end of that year, McLaren had the best performing car. He was slightly stronger than Piastri in the team. So he should be the favorite. »
« Verstappen doesn't have the fastest car. He doesn't have it. I mean, he's won two races since May, it's crazy! He has won two races since May, including one thanks to Verstappen's magic in the rain. So in reality he's only won one race in the dry since May. You can't win the world championship in this form next year against Lando Norris. So, I would say Lando is the favorite. »
