Going up against Lewis Hamilton can never be an easy task. There seldom has been anyone in the history of Formula 1 that can brag about defeating the 7x Champion, barring a few. But according to 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg, what he achieved against Hamilton can never be rivaled by Max Verstappen. Rosberg went up against Hamilton when he was teammates with the Brit at Mercedes.

And according to him, this one detail is exactly why his victory over Hamilton in 2016 will always take precedence over Verstappen’s 2021 victory.

What did Nico Rosberg say?

While talking to La Gazetta Dello Sport, Rosberg bared all. He said, “There was a strange atmosphere within the team because it was clear that there was rivalry within our own garage. As a result, there was a spirit within the team without balance – and that made it difficult to get closer together. I was in isolation at the most important point of my career.”

“It should be easier for Verstappen because he is seen as the number one driver by everyone. There is a calmer atmosphere at Red Bull.”

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It would be an understatement to say that Rosberg’s stint as Hamilton‘s teammate was his biggest test in F1. That being said, in the aftermath of it all, he did win that elusive F1 title. But at what cost?

Lewis Hamilton ensured that Nico Rosberg was left with no friends at Mercedes

Nico Rosberg has played an immense role in ensuring that Mercedes goes down in the annals of F1 history as the greatest ever. You’d expect he would be a fan favorite at the team from Brackley, right? Nothing could be farther away from the truth. And the Germans got only Lewis Hamilton to blame.

When asked about his relationships with his championship-winning team at Mercedes, he said, “I see Toto Wolff every now and then. I hear him on the phone. I should say I don’t have any real friends. That’s because the most important part of my career has been in an unusual situation with the whole team having to keep a neutral attitude between Lewis and I.”

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Nico Rosberg did stand toe-to-toe with Lewis Hamilton and beat him in equal machinery. Not many people can boast about that. Is Nico Rosberg the most underrated Formula 1 driver?