Despite their legendary rivalry and on-track battles, Nico Rosberg has declared Lewis Hamilton the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, praising his unparalleled natural talent and legacy.
Nico Rosberg knows better than anyone the challenges of going head-to-head with Lewis Hamilton. Their intense rivalry as teammates at Mercedes during the turbo-hybrid era is the stuff of Formula 1 legend. But even after enduring years of fierce competition, Rosberg has no qualms about calling Hamilton the best F1 driver in history. all the time.
A rivalry turned admiration
Rosberg and Hamilton's story began long before their F1 careers, racing against each other as young karting prodigies. Their friendship turned into fierce competition when they became teammates at Mercedes in 2013, at the dawn of the turbo-hybrid era that saw the Silver Arrows dominate the grid.
The intense competition between the two culminated in Rosberg's hard-won 2016 World Championship victory, after which he immediately retired from F1. The tension between the two has since eased, allowing Rosberg to reflect on Hamilton's incredible achievements with renewed admiration.
“He's the greatest of all time,” Rosberg said recently, praising the uniqueness of Hamilton's talent. “A natural talent like there has never been in F1.”
Hamilton's unprecedented dominance
Statistically, Hamilton's record speaks for itself: seven world championships and an incredible 105 Grand Prix victories, placing him at the top of the sport's history. However, his 2024 campaign has proven difficult. Now at Ferrari, Hamilton has won just two races and has often struggled, even being eliminated in Q1 on several occasions — a stark contrast to his usual dominance.
For Hamilton, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to silence critics and restore his status as the sport's most formidable competitor, all while sporting Ferrari's iconic red.
Parallels with past legends
Rosberg is not the only champion to speak out on Hamilton's future. Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen recently shared thoughts on his own decision to retire, drawing comparisons to Hamilton's current situation.
“When I retired, I started to lose my edge. Sometimes I was very fast. Sometimes I wasn't there. Those two or three tenths make a big difference,” Hakkinen recalls, highlighting the mental and physical challenges that can affect performance.
Although Hakkinen refrained from speculating on Hamilton's state of mind, he urged the seven-time champion to remain honest with himself as he enters the next chapter of his career with Ferrari.
The Ferrari team in Hamilton
Despite a difficult 2024, Ferrari remains firmly convinced that Hamilton is the right driver to lead the team to championship glory. The Scuderia has placed immense confidence in the Briton, who now faces the dual challenge of overcoming his own struggles and guiding Ferrari to success.
For Hamilton, 2025 represents more than just a season—it's a testing ground. A strong campaign could cement his legacy as F1's GOAT and
restoring Ferrari's reputation as a championship-winning powerhouse.
A legacy in the making
Lewis Hamilton's journey from karting prodigy to seven-time world champion has cemented his place in the annals of Formula 1 history. With the support of Nico Rosberg and the faith of Ferrari, Hamilton has both the motivation and the platform to be reborn.
As the 2025 season approaches, the question remains: Can Hamilton defy the odds and deliver another historic chapter in his already illustrious career? If history is any indicator, crossing him off the list would be a mistake.
