Nico Rosberg said he felt “incredible pain” as he watched Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton lose the drivers’ title to Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Brit seemed to be heading for his record eighth world title until a late safety car and a “strange” decision by FIA race director Michael Masi gave Red Bull a chance of victory.
While Hamilton was as gracious as he could be in the face of a devastating loss, he hasn’t been seen on social media or at public events on social media or at public events since the December 12 race at Yas Marina Circuit Keep social media toxicity away.
Rosberg remains the only driver to beat Hamilton in his prime when he won the F1 drivers’ championship in 2016. Kimi Raikonnen may have beaten the Mercedes driver, but that was during his debut season with McLaren in 2007. The German, who shared a fierce rivalry with Hamilton, admitted that although he is no longer on the team, he is incredible Pain for his former colleague had.
“I felt pain, incredible pain,” said Rosberg, as quoted by the Daily Mail. “I have nothing to do with Mercedes now, but of course it’s my family from before and an incredible pain.”
© Giuseppe CACACE / POOL
Back in business: Lewis Hamilton to compete in the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Giuseppe CACACE / POOL
Hamilton was overtaken by Verstappen on the last lap of the race, and the Mercedes driver couldn’t stop the Dutchman as he had ridden on 40 lap old tires compared to the Red Bull’s fresh set.
“They were 99 percent certain that they would win the World Championship until there were three laps to go,” added the former Mercedes F1 driver. “After they lost it and lost it in a fight like this where there was nothing they could do because the tires did 50 laps … incredible pain.”
“It’s a shame it ended in such a strange FIA decision,” he said.
Hamilton is under contract with Mercedes until the end of the 2023 season and although his future in the sport is being questioned, he is expected to honor his deal. Toto Wolff admitted to being in constant dialogue with his driver but was unable to confirm when he will speak about the events that caused him to lose the title to Verstappen.
© ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
Max Verstappen won an epic full season bout with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
