During the peak of Mercedes’ Formula 1 supremacy, Nico Rosberg was the only teammate who managed to overcome Lewis Hamilton, clinching the World Championship in 2016. This achievement was notable because Rosberg did not match Hamilton’s natural driving talent or outright speed, yet his determination and preparation propelled him to the top.
Rosberg’s victory came after intense rivalry and strategic changes. Despite Hamilton having won the championship in the previous two years, 2016 saw Rosberg break through with a combination of hard work and tactical lifestyle adjustments.
Work Ethic and Lifestyle Adjustments Behind Rosberg’s Triumph
Rosberg’s path to the 2016 title involved several significant personal changes focused on gaining every possible advantage. To enhance recovery, he began sleeping in a separate room from his wife in order to avoid disruptions. He also sacrificed cycling, trimming his leg muscle mass by about a kilogram to optimize his physical condition for racing.
The fierce competition between long-time friends Rosberg and Hamilton turned into one of Formula 1’s most intense rivalries, marked by a strong desire to claim supremacy within the same team.
Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, speaking on the Clique podcast, described how the relationship between Hamilton and Rosberg deteriorated due to this rivalry, stating that the two “can’t stand each other anymore.”
Hadjar emphasized that Rosberg’s work ethic played a crucial role in his championship win, noting the importance of spending extensive time collaborating with engineers to fine-tune performance.
There are guys who could make a career because they spend hours with the engineers,
Isack Hadjar
I know that Rosberg doesn’t have Hamilton’s talent, he doesn’t have his speed, and yet he competed with him because he did extra hours.
Isack Hadjar
The Evolution of Hamilton and Rosberg’s Relationship After 2016
Following his championship and immediate retirement in 2016, Rosberg stepped away from Formula 1, while Hamilton continued to dominate the sport by winning four more consecutive titles from 2017 through 2020, equalling the record of seven World Championships including his 2008 debut victory.
Despite past hostility, recent remarks by Rosberg on Sky’s ‘The F1 Show’ suggest a softening of his relationship with Hamilton. Rosberg shared that after moving apartment in Monaco, he was saddened by no longer being neighbors with Hamilton, whom he called a friend.
Although not competing since 2016, Rosberg’s reflections give a glimpse into the complicated bond shaped by years of competition and friendship.
Hamilton’s Continued Pursuit and the Legacy of Their Rivalry
Lewis Hamilton has remained a central figure in Formula 1, pursuing an eighth World Championship since 2021 and joining Ferrari in 2025 to continue his quest. The rivalry with Rosberg is remembered as one of the defining storylines of the Mercedes era, highlighting the blend of talent, strategy, and endurance required at the highest level of racing.
The intense competition and eventual respect between these two champions illustrate how perseverance and preparation can rival pure talent in the battle for motorsport’s ultimate prize.
