Nico Rosberg insisted that Lewis Hamilton would not retire, saying that he will be eager to return to winning ways.
Hamilton suffered massive heartbreak in his loss to Max Verstappen. He was unfairly treated towards the business end of the season, and that resulted in him losing a race he was leading from the beginning through no fault of his.
Given he had to win to secure the championship, one can imagine how miserable that must have felt. The classy seven-time world champion showed grace in defeat, but rumours of him retiring then began to do the rounds.
However, Rosberg insisted that Hamilton would not retire, saying that he is confident he would return to make a statement.
“It was heartbreaking for him (Hamilton), absolutely, because up until four laps from the end he was almost certain to be World Champion,” Rosberg told Sky F1.
“Then with this change of procedure or whatever you want to call it, suddenly he lost the World Championship. So it was tough, extremely tough.
“But of course I do count on him being back on the grid next year and fighting to get back that World Championship that kind of got taken away from him in a way.
“We really hope. Of course, I’m not the guy to be saying that because I also disappeared into the distance after I won a title so it really wouldn’t be fair to say that, but I do hope Lewis and Max will go at it again next year.”
What a battle
Rosberg also gave his thoughts on the 2021 season, and expressed his excitement at watching the battle between Hamilton and Verstappen unfold.
“It was just so amazing, those two guys,” he added.
“Lewis used to be, or is, the best wheel-to-wheel racer and here comes Verstappen who is really taking it to him in wheel-to-wheel racing and sometimes even being better than him.
“It’s incredible to see their skill and to watch them go at it. They are like on their own planet, well beyond everyone else. So I hope we see it again next year.
“But there are completely new regulations next year, so there could be another team in the mix as well. I think we are in for another great season next year,” he concluded.
Amazing how Rosberg suddenly thinks he knows everything…..