Mercedes must work hard for return: 'Easier for Verstappen'

Nico Rosberg expects it will be difficult for Mercedes to fight their way back into the title race. Toto Wolff's team showed an upward trend at the end of the season this calendar year, but according to the former Formula 1 driver, that does not mean the problem is already solved.

The German was part of the Mercedes team for many years between 2010 and 2016. Although he had an excellent period and even became world champion in his last season, he knows that driving for Mercedes also has a downside.

Since Mercedes had a better car than the competition at the time, the fight for the world title was between Lewis Hamilton and Rosberg. It caused a lot of turmoil behind the scenes. "It was a strange environment, knowing that the main rivalry took place in the garage," Rosberg recalled to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Rosberg sees advantage for Verstappen

In Mercedes' current team, there is still a lot of struggle. Where George Russell wants to prove himself, Hamilton has the big dream of taking his eighth world title. Rosberg thinks things are a lot calmer inside Red Bull Racing's team. "It must be easier for [Max] Verstappen, who is considered by everyone to be the number one of the team," he said.