Rosberg is shockingly contemplated as ex-Mercedes F1 rival Lewis Hamilton in Sakhir in 2020. to replace

When Mercedes announced last season that Lewis Hamilton was sick with COVID-19 and that a place was available in Sakhir last season, the driver pool was full of optimism. Who doesn’t want to drive for Mercedes even if it’s just for one race?

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But the fact that Mercedes had to fight contractually with Hamilton at the time, their options became too narrow. They needed a backup driver, so they forced themselves to consider the Sakhir GP as the ultimate driver test for a full-time seat in 2021.

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 05: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP prepares to start on the grid ahead of the Netherlands F1 Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on September 05, 2021 in Zandvoort, the Netherlands. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1 / Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Yes, the golden opportunity eventually fell into the hands of George Russell. But here’s something interesting! Not only Russell, Vandoorne and Hülkenberg fought for victory, but also the former Mercedes world champion Nico Rosberg.

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Although he didn’t necessarily long to drive again, he figured he would have called Mercedes if he’d been physically fit. “I would not have been physically capable,” he said, according to Formula Passion. “I would certainly have considered it [the idea] in this case to take the phone. But physically I wouldn’t have been able to [to drive]. “

Rosberg again explains the downside of racing for Mercedes

The German would have jumped into an F1 cockpit for the first time in 5 years if Mercedes had chosen him as a substitute driver. Therefore, Rosberg would have had a hard time dealing with the immense G-forces. He even expected his neck to have popped out.

“I couldn’t do more than two laps with this car,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to hold the steering wheel after two laps, I’m sure of that. Not to mention the neck. It would fall between my legs when braking. Because I wouldn’t be able to keep my head up. “

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Rosberg has often made it clear that a return to racing is the last thing he needs. Hence, the whole world would have gone mad if they had seen Mercedes reveal Rosberg as Hamilton’s replacement.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 20: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP celebrates at Parc Ferme after winning the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 20, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lars Baron / Getty Images)

Also, imagine Hamilton’s reaction to this scenario – letting his rival drive his car while he helplessly watches it from his hotel room. That would definitely have caused unrest in the team. But in the end, the Russell option wasn’t all that bad.

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As expected, the Briton will drive for Mercedes alongside his compatriot Hamilton from next season. So can the duo spark another lively intra-rivalry?

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