Nico Rosberg marvels at Lewis Hamilton’s endurance as Ferrari turnaround sparks fresh optimism
Few rivalries in modern Formula 1 have been as intense, controversial and closely fought as the battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Their championship fights defined an era, producing some of the most memorable moments of the hybrid era before Rosberg stunned the sporting world by walking away from Formula 1 immediately after securing the 2016 World Championship.
Nearly a decade later, however, one half of that legendary rivalry is still competing at the highest level.
While Nico Rosberg has spent the last ten years building a successful career away from racing, Lewis Hamilton continues to push himself against a new generation of drivers. Now racing for Ferrari, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion remains one of the sport’s biggest stars, something Rosberg admits he still finds remarkable.
Nico Rosberg impressed by Lewis Hamilton’s longevity
Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Nico Rosberg reflected on Lewis Hamilton’s extraordinary ability to remain competitive after so many years in Formula 1.
The former Mercedes driver explained that he finds it astonishing that Lewis Hamilton is still racing at the front of the grid almost ten years after their title battle concluded. In Rosberg’s view, the achievement extends far beyond driving talent alone.
According to the 2016 world champion, maintaining elite performance over such a long period requires exceptional discipline away from the racetrack. He highlighted how Lewis Hamilton has managed to build a stable personal and professional life while remaining largely free from the distractions and controversies that have affected many high-profile athletes throughout history.
Rosberg suggested that countless talented competitors have seen their careers derailed by off-track issues, but the Briton has successfully created an environment that has allowed him to continue performing at an elite level year after year.
He also pointed to the scale of Lewis Hamilton’s latest challenge. Joining Ferrari after spending more than a decade with Mercedes represented one of the biggest decisions of his Formula 1 career, particularly given the difficulties experienced during his first season in Maranello.
Ferrari beginning to unlock Lewis Hamilton’s potential
Lewis Hamilton’s debut campaign with Ferrari in 2025 proved challenging. Adapting to a completely different working environment, engineering philosophy and car characteristics was never going to be straightforward, and the results often fell short of expectations.
However, the introduction of Formula 1’s new technical regulations in 2026 appears to have changed the picture considerably.
Ferrari has increasingly incorporated Lewis Hamilton’s feedback into the development process, and the benefits are beginning to show. The British driver has already secured multiple podium finishes this season, including an impressive second-place result at the Canadian Grand Prix, which many observers considered his strongest performance since joining the Scuderia.
Rosberg believes that Lewis Hamilton now looks far more comfortable than he did twelve months ago. In his assessment, the new regulations have allowed the Ferrari driver to extract significantly more from the car and showcase the qualities that made him one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history.
Even so, Rosberg acknowledged that Lewis Hamilton faces an enormous challenge inside the Ferrari garage. Charles Leclerc remains one of the fastest drivers in Formula 1 and is widely regarded as one of the standout talents of his generation. At 28 years old, Charles Leclerc is firmly in his prime and continues to set an extremely high benchmark for any teammate.
Competing against a driver of Charles Leclerc’s calibre while simultaneously adapting to a new team is one of the toughest assignments on the grid.
Can Lewis Hamilton still win an eighth world title?
The question of whether Lewis Hamilton can capture a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 World Championship continues to generate debate throughout the paddock.
Recent performances have reignited optimism among supporters, particularly as Ferrari’s competitiveness appears to be improving. Several figures within Formula 1 have even tipped Lewis Hamilton as a serious contender for strong results at Monaco, where Ferrari’s chassis strengths could help offset any remaining power-unit disadvantages.
Nico Rosberg admitted that he would like to see his former rival add another title to his remarkable résumé. He believes the British driver would fully deserve such an achievement after everything he has contributed to the sport throughout his career. At the same time, the German remains realistic about the scale of the task ahead.
In Nico Rosberg’s opinion, Ferrari may not yet possess a championship-winning package over the course of a full season, while Lewis Hamilton is still continuing his adaptation process. Although significant progress has been made, he believes there is still room for improvement from both the driver and the team.
Nevertheless, Rosberg expects Lewis Hamilton to continue moving in the right direction throughout the remainder of the campaign and believes race victories are a realistic target before the season concludes.
A new chapter still being written
For many drivers, a Formula 1 career lasting more than two decades would be unthinkable. Yet Lewis Hamilton continues to defy expectations.
As Ferrari works to close the gap to the front and Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton push each other inside one of Formula 1’s most famous teams, the possibility of further success remains very much alive.
Whether an eighth world title ultimately materialises or not, Lewis Hamilton’s ability to remain competitive, relevant and motivated after all these years has earned the respect of friend and rival alike. And coming from Nico Rosberg, perhaps no compliment carries more weight.
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