Rosberg says Hamilton struggled with Mercedes reshuffle and suspected conspiracy

On the Beyond The Grid podcast, Nico Rosberg said Lewis Hamilton initially struggled more than he did with Mercedes’ 2016 decision to swap mechanics and engineers between their cars. When things went against Hamilton, Rosberg recalled, he would think of a conspiracy. Rosberg added that the team treated both drivers equally as far as possible.

Rosberg linked the reshuffle to worsening tension inside Mercedes. Mechanics and engineers had begun competing for their respective drivers, he said, and some information might no longer have been shared as openly as before. He recalled arriving at the Melbourne garage for Friday practice to find his mechanics working on Hamilton’s car; the switch had come without warning.

The reshuffle did not end the rivalry: Hamilton and Rosberg were involved in two high-profile collisions in 2016. Rosberg went on to win his only F1 title by a narrow margin and announced his retirement five days later.