EXCLUSIVE: When Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were teammates, they kept their interactions to a minimum, a simmering hatred always the undercurrent to a mutual respect.
During the 1981 season, Williams teammates Carlos Reutemann and Alan Jones fell out so spectacularly that, when the Argentinian called to bury the hatchet, Jones responded “yeah, in your f***ing back, mate”.
Such animosity still exists in Formula 1, one only has to look at the Red Bull garage to see the relationship between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
But Nico Rosberg paints a very different picture, a veritable sea of calm. He and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton live in the same building in Monaco, have been friends for years and, even now, as rivals, will meet up in the principality when time allows. Rosberg admits that it could change, saying “obviously you never know” but, for now, “things are going well”.
His rosy outlook is understandable and may not be matched by Hamilton. After all, the Briton was tipped by many to outdrive his new teammate when he made the switch from McLaren at the end of last season but quite the opposite has happened, Rosberg taking three pole positions to Hamilton’s two, and winning two grands prix while Hamilton is yet to break his duck in the Silver Arrow.
“He brings the best out of me,” is Rosberg’s take on the 2008 world champion. “The challenge he poses and the competition we’re having is great, both really pushing each other. We’re very closely matched at the moment so that’s great for us and great for the team. And we’ve always respected each other.”
As for their relationship, Rosberg is equally positive. “In the past, we had two different teams so two different commitments,” he adds. “In Monaco, we see each other – not that much but we definitely meet up. We have raced each other many times – some tough times – and that’s never had an effect off track. I think that’s down to the respect that we have.”
It would be wrong to say Rosberg has completely outdriven Hamilton – the Briton leads him in the standings by seven points – but for another season the German’s stock has risen against an experience rival.
Schumi rivalry
For the previous three years, his reference point was seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who he effectively helped drive into re-retirement by continually outwitting him on track, although he is quick to defend the 44-year-old. “Michael was a very good benchmark too,” he adds. “I thought with Michael it was a great competition, with Lewis it’s different and another good competition.”
Not even events in Malaysia – when Rosberg was ordered not to overtake his teammate in the latter stages – has rocked the boat, Rosberg pointing out “he had nothing to do with that, that was the team”.
The 28-year-old has every reason to be cheerful. In many ways, he has been the surprise package of the season and is certainly the form driver having won recently in Monaco and Silverstone. Both were home races as will be Sunday’s German Grand Prix, where he is confident the team will continue their winning run.
Of the wins to date, Monaco was undeniably the most special. As well as being a jewel in the crown for an F1 driver’s CV it was also where he grew up and where he still lives. Reflecting on the events of a few weeks ago, he says: “Racing the Silver Arrow at Monaco, where I grew up, was just very special.”
Pirelli furore
The only thing left is the World Championship. The weekend on F1’s most iconic circuit was littered with a row about the Pirelli tyre test that the team had undertaken with both Rosberg and Hamilton not long before, which resulted in a reprimand from governing body, the FIA, and the team being banned from the young drivers’ test from July 17-19.
But Rosberg scoffs at any suggestion that might have overshadowed his success in the principality. “What I can say is that on that Sunday in the disco there was no one speaking to me about any Pirelli tyre test.”
In his defence, he does not shy away from discussing the tyre fall-out but insists it is something that is now over. He says: “It’s behind us now but it’s obviously taken some capacity away from us as it’s taken Ross Brawn’s focus elsewhere. Now he can concentrate on racing, which is very good for us. We got a small penalty and that’s the way it is. We have to accept and move on.”
Now the team is solely focused on vying out the front with greater consistency in 2013. “It’s been a bit up and down,” says Rosberg of the year so far. “There’s been some great moments like Monaco and Silverstone, but I’m not getting to what I want to achieve which is to be world champion. At the moment, we’re going well with development in the season. That was the weakest aspect last year. That seems ok and we’re bringing new steps.”
Part of the masterplan to build on their current foundations lies with Paddy Lowe, the highly regarded technical director poached from McLaren. Lowe is something of an unknown to the Mercedes driver, who at least admits he has heard favourable things about him, not least of all from the man in the neighbouring Mercedes.
“Lewis and I have talked about Paddy just so I can understand what he brings,” says Rosberg. “My first impressions are very good. Of course, I’m confident he can be a great asset to the team. We’re improving, but we’re not the best yet.”
Father like son
The suggestion has often been made that Rosberg was born to race and born to be world champion. His father Keke won the title in 1982 something that he has yet to emulate. However, he has at least matched one of his father’s feats this year, winning the Monaco Grand Prix 30 years after Rosberg Sr was the first man past the chequered flag.
Neither Rosberg has made a major play of the historic double, partly to enable Rosberg Jr to take all the plaudits. “Also, my dad doesn’t speak to the media full stop so that might explain another side of it,” he says. “Of course it’s great to win like my father after 30 years but that wasn’t the thing in my mind. It was winning at home in Monaco and sharing it with friends and family. That was really quite special.”
The suggestion is that Rosberg, Hamilton and Mercedes are on the precipice of something quite special. The engine changes for next season give teams a fresh start. Rosberg, for his part, has high hopes for 2014 and the future although is not getting carried away. “We have a car that can win races and the time will come I believe when I will have the best car and I can win more races,” he concludes.
“We’re getting closer and closer but it’s still quite a step. Next season [with the engine regulation change] is a great opportunity as we’re not the best at the moment. It’s a great opportunity to become the best as it’s such a huge change.”
Rosberg is loving the ride to that point. Whether relations remain firm or fractious with his new teammate on that particular ride is another matter.
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