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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Race winner Lewis Hamilton and second place finisher and World Champion Nico Rosberg on the podium during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. At Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Race winner Lewis Hamilton and second place finisher and World Champion Nico Rosberg on the podium during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. At Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
One of the fiercest rivalries in Formula One was between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Once considered the best of mates, a title race turned them into bitter rivals.
The two pushed each other so hard that it resulted in Rosberg locking himself in a hotel room, telling himself to throw whatever he has to have the edge over Hamilton.
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Being defeated by his teammate three-row years in a row fueled the German driver and motivate himself to overcome Hamilton.
Nico Rosberg talks about the steps he took to beat Lewis Hamilton
Speaking to Time Magazine, as quoted by PlanetF1, the 2016 champion said, “At the time it was like, ‘he’s probably too nice to be World Champion against the ruthless Lewis.
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Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg (left) shakes hands with Lewis Hamilton as he celebrates winning the Formula One world championship during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
“I lost to Lewis three years in a row. And it was so painful, the last time. I locked myself in a hotel room, and I reminded myself to push, push, push like hell. It just enhanced my motivation, my focus,” Rosberg concluded.
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Rosberg threw everything at Lewis to claim the 2016 championship
Rosberg was disappointed not to claim his first title back in 2015, while Lewis took home his third title. However, the German driver was bruised but not broken, and pushed himself to get ready for the 2016 season.
But, the road to glory wasn’t an easy won for Rosberg, as Lewis was also aiming at another title. One of the most-talked-about incidents between the two teammates was the race in Spain, where Lewis took out Rosberg in the opening laps, which hurt the German’s hopes of winning a title.
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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 09: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP gets a hug from Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, and is congratulated by Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff after winning the race and the Mercedes GP team winning the constructors championship during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 9, 2016 in Suzuka. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
The title race was so intense that it went to the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi, Lewis may have won the race, but it was Rosberg who was celebrating as he just needed to finish on the podium, which he did by crossing the line in second place.
His dream of being a world champion was completed and decided to retire, and part ways with the world of Formula One.
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