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Lewis Hamilton

Rosberg says his relationship with Hamilton is now neutral

Archive photograph: Lewis Hamilton · 2025-06-04Archive photo · 2025-06-04 · Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street · OGL 3

Rosberg says the relationship thawed after his retirement, but he does not expect the pair to become best friends.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Nico Rosberg says his relationship with Lewis Hamilton has thawed since his retirement from Formula 1 and is now neutral, though he does not think they will ever be best friends.

Rosberg discussed their relationship on an episode of the official F1 Beyond The Grid podcast. He and Hamilton were Mercedes team-mates from 2013 to 2016, and their partnership grew increasingly tense. Their final season included several costly clashes, but Rosberg beat Hamilton to the 2016 Drivers’ Championship by five points.

Rosberg said it would not be realistic to maintain that level of intensity year after year. He announced his retirement five days after securing the championship.

Sources 01
  1. PRIMARY SOURCERosberg opens up on Hamilton relationship after retirementFormula 1