Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg believes Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari could reignite his competitive drive, despite turning 40.
The German driver, who shared the Mercedes garage with Hamilton during their championship battles, suggests the change of scenery could spark fresh motivation for the seven-time world champion.
“Lewis doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore,” Rosberg told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“And yet he has looked for a new way to push the boundaries – his new start at Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton has joined Ferrari
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“I think that if he takes such a risk at this stage of his career, it says everything about his hunger for success.”
Rosberg’s unique insight into Hamilton’s mindset stems from their intense rivalry at Mercedes, where they collectively dominated the drivers’ championships between them.
“I know that he is filled with a deep love of motorsport and a burning desire to explore himself anew,” Rosberg explained.
The 39-year-old German, who clinched the 2016 world title, believes Hamilton will continue to evolve at Ferrari.
“Lewis will grow with his task and develop further, as a racing driver and as a person,” he said.
Their shared history at Mercedes, where Hamilton secured three of his seven titles during their time as teammates, adds weight to Rosberg’s assessment.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur plans to start Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as equals in 2025, with their hierarchy to be determined through performance.
Nico Rosberg expects Lewis Hamilton to challenge this year
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Rosberg sees Max Verstappen as the standout driver in Formula 1, placing Leclerc among the top young talents.
“Perhaps the best of the young generation is George Russell, but Charles is at a similarly high level,” Rosberg said.
The German acknowledged Hamilton’s recent struggles in 2024.
“Lewis struggled quite a bit in 2024 and you got the impression that he didn’t know exactly why that was,” he added.
“If we start on this basis, then Charles will beat Hamilton, just as George beat Lewis.”
However, Rosberg issued a stark warning about underestimating his former teammate.
“Be careful,” he cautioned.
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Lewis Hamilton drove a Ferrari car for the first time last monthReuters
“Hamilton is the greatest of all time and I trust him to be able to return to his usual level.”
The 2016 world champion believes Hamilton could ultimately emerge ahead in the intra-team battle at Ferrari.
“Then it could easily end up with him being slightly ahead of Leclerc at the end of the year,” Rosberg predicted.
His assessment suggests the Hamilton-Leclerc dynamic could become one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2025 season.