Nico Rosberg, the 2016 Formula 1 World Champion, responded to claims that his former Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton has a “weakness” when it comes to qualifying. These comments arose during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, a track known for its high-speed layout that typically favors strong qualifying performances.
Rosberg, who had a famously intense rivalry with Hamilton during their time together at Mercedes, dismissed the idea that Hamilton has any specific qualifying weakness. He pointed out that Hamilton’s record in qualifying speaks for itself, as the Briton holds the all-time record for pole positions in Formula 1. According to Rosberg, this achievement underlines Hamilton’s exceptional speed and consistency in one-lap performances, which is key in securing pole positions.
However, Rosberg did acknowledge that every driver, including Hamilton, can have moments where things don’t go perfectly in qualifying. This, he suggested, might be where the perception of a “weakness” stems from. But overall, Rosberg emphasized that Hamilton remains one of the most formidable drivers on the grid in both qualifying and race conditions.
The debate around Hamilton’s performance in qualifying was sparked after some challenging sessions during the 2024 season, where Mercedes has struggled to consistently match the pace of frontrunners like Red Bull and Ferrari. Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains a strong competitor, showing his resilience and experience in fighting for top positions on race day.
Rosberg’s defense of Hamilton highlights the respect he still holds for his former teammate, despite their historic rivalry. As the season progresses, Hamilton will likely continue to demonstrate his skills in qualifying, aiming to silence any doubters.