Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes to join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. The seven-time world champion has signed a massive $430 million multi-year deal with Maranello. The 39-year-old’s decision shocked the entire sporting world including his former teammate and arch-rival Nico Rosberg. Now, Rosberg has finally expressed his views on Hamilton’s new contract.
The 2016 F1 world champion admitted that he was surprised by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari. However, Rosberg pointed out that the Scuderia is one of the two historic teams on the grid which every driver wants to race with, the other squad being Mercedes. Subsequently, the German driver mentioned that he could see why Hamilton decided to ditch the Silver Arrows for Maranello.
I was surprised. But if you look at the big picture: there are two legendary teams for which everyone wants to drive - Ferrari and Mercedes. I can understand that he is fulfilling a personal dream. Nico Rosberg told Sueddeutsche.de
Nico Rosberg partnered Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for four seasons between 2013 and 2016. The two drivers had been great friends since their karting days. However, Hamilton and Rosberg ended up going against one another in the Turbo Hybrid era, forming one of the biggest rivalries in F1 history. The 39-year-old won two world championships against the German driver. Although, Rosberg managed to clinch the 2016 world title and retired from the sport just days after the season finale that year.
Nico Rosberg rules out an F1 comeback to replace Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes needs to find a suitable driver to fill the shoes of the seven-time world champion. Multiple drivers have been linked to Hamilton’s seat so far including 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli. However, many fans want to see Nico Rosberg come back to the sport and race for the Brackley-based team once again.
Unfortunately, Rosberg made it clear that he was not interested in returning to the F1 grid. The 38-year-old has been away from racing since his shock retirement in 2016. The German driver even rejected an offer to race in Formula E since. Subsequently, Nico Rosberg insisted that he was done with his career as a racing driver.
I don't plan a comeback. It's over, I'm not planning a comeback
Nevertheless, Mercedes will find a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. The Brackley-based team will not be rushing into signing a new driver. Rather, Toto Wolff and his team will take their time to consider all potential options before finally making a call on Hamilton’s successor. Certainly, fans will be waiting to see who replaces the seven-time world champion at the Silver Arrows next year.
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