Hamilton’s former team mate Rosberg gives his take on the 7-time champion’s Ferrari move – and whether it will pay off

Nico Rosberg has admitted that news of Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari came as a “huge surprise” at the time, but he also understands the Briton’s desire to represent “the two most legendary teams” during his F1 career.

Hamilton and Ferrari will join forces on a multi-year deal from 2025, having agreed over the winter that he would take Carlos Sainz’s spot alongside Charles Leclerc, kick-starting the ‘silly season’ much earlier than usual.

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A few months on from that decision being made and announced, Hamilton’s former Mercedes team mate Rosberg offered his thoughts on the situation and likened it to when the Briton previously swapped McLaren for the Silver Arrows.

“Of course it came as a huge surprise; no one expected it, I didn’t expect it either,” he told Sky Sports F1. “But if you look at the grand scheme of things, then why not? It’s towards the end of the career… there’s two legendary teams, it’s Mercedes and Ferrari.

“I know Lewis has always been a big fan of Ferrari road cars also, so why not make that switch and have a different experience driving in red? Then he can really tick off both boxes, he’s driven for the two most legendary teams.”

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Rosberg continued: “By the way, at the moment, it also seems in performance terms to be the right decision for him. Maybe he makes an amazing move like at the time, 12 years ago, when he moved from McLaren to Mercedes.

“McLaren were winning races, Mercedes were nowhere, and the moment he moved McLaren went backwards and Mercedes started winning races. Maybe he can get the same stroke of… well, the same timing done again.”

Rosberg also served up his opinion on the potential dynamic between seven-time world champion Hamilton, now 39, and Leclerc, who is almost 13 years his junior and aiming to build on the five race wins he has achieved so far.

“Of course, we’re all looking forward to that dynamic,” he said. “Charles doesn’t seem like someone who goes into conflict too much with his team mate, so that will make it easier. From that point of view, maybe it won’t be too extremely spicy.

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“Nevertheless, Charles is probably the second-best qualifier out there after Max Verstappen, one could possibly say at the moment. It’s going to be a tough battle for both, really. I think the level could be pretty similar. It will be great to watch.”