The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend saw more than just the battles on the track. It also became a battleground of opinions between rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Both drivers shared contrasting opinions about the way Formula 1 approached the race weekend in Las Vegas. However, in a surprising twist, Nico Rosberg, the 2016 world champion, emerged as a mediator between the verbal sparring of the two multiple world champions.

The Dutchman, discontent with the event’s promotion, voiced his concerns throughout the race weekend. He went as far as deriding the circuit as “National League” compared to the “Champions League” quality of Monaco. Lewis Hamilton, not one to stay silent, openly criticized the Red Bull driver for his negative comments. Taking a dig at his rival, the 38-year-old Mercedes driver expressed gratitude for the thrilling race, citing ample overtaking opportunities and comparing it favorably to Baku.

Nico Rosberg commends Max Verstappen on his maturity for changing his stance on the Vegas GP

In his criticism of the Grand Prix, Max Verstappen accused Formula 1 of prioritizing showmanship over the essence of racing. However, the real surprise came post-race when the Dutchman, in a moment of unexpected candor, admitted his initial misjudgment. He revealed how the race turned out to be super fun, and he genuinely enjoyed the experience. He altered his perception from “99% show, 1% sporting event” to appreciate the unique challenges of the Las Vegas Strip Street circuit.

Nico Rosberg found himself appreciating Verstappen for the maturity displayed in revising his stance. The 2016 champion spoke about the challenges drivers face beyond the racetrack. He emphasized the impact of sponsor work and media engagements on performance.

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“Driving the race car is actually like the smallest part of what we do. And especially all the media work and all the work with the sponsors”, Rosberg stated in an exclusive with Daily Mail. “In Vegas, there’s so much sponsor work that a driver needs to do, going from one dinner appearance to the next, one activation to the next,” he added.

“And we drivers, that’s like the part that we least like about our job. We always want to try and minimize that. Because it also can negatively impact our performance on the racetrack if we get to the actual driving and are tired or something, or not concentrated. And that’s why very often drivers will be a bit critical when it’s too much sponsor work and activation and entertainment and show. Vegas, of course, was one of the biggest shows of the year for F1. So that’s why some drivers were critical initially,” he concluded.

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Nico Rosberg was also candid about sharing his opinion on whether he cares about his old rival winning an 8th driver’s championship.

Nico Rosberg isn’t losing any sleep over Lewis Hamilton winning his 8th title

Rosberg is no stranger to the dynamics of the Mercedes team. After all, he has experienced the highs and lows of championship battles with Lewis Hamilton. He provided a candid assessment of whether Mercedes can fight Red Bull in 2024.

Rosberg was optimistic about Mercedes challenging the dominant Red Bull in the upcoming season. Citing flashes of brilliance in recent races, he noted the team’s improving understanding of the car and the potential to put Red Bull under significant pressure. However, he acknowledged the need for consistency and improvement in straight-line performance.

When asked about his stance on a potential eighth title for Lewis Hamilton, Rosberg displayed a neutral and pragmatic viewpoint. “I would be happy if Mercedes won because that’s kind of my racing family from the past. But then Lewis, I’m neutral there. I just would like a great fight for the championship, and may the best driver win. But I’m not biased in that sense, obviously,” Rosberg commented.

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Do you think Mercedes can put together a package good enough for 2024 to challenge Max and Red Bull? Let us know your thoughts on the matter.