Rosberg full of praise for 'gladiator': 'He fights Verstappen and Hamilton'

Former Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg has heaped praise on Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso. The 38-year-old German living in Monaco sees became F1 world champion in 2016. Unlike Rosberg, Alonso is still in Formula 1.

"I am a big fan of Fernando, who is 42 years old and riding at his level now. He is phenomenal. He is incredible. He is a gladiator. It's fascinating to watch him fight against Hamilton and Verstappen. He gives everything every lap and I have always had a lot of respect for him," Rosberg told Spanish newspaper Marca in an interview.

Rosberg compared to Alonso

If we put the statistics of the two Formula 1 world champions side by side, we see a significant difference in the number of podium finishes. Rosberg achieved 57 podium finishes in his Formula 1 career, while the Spaniard took home honorary medals 104 times.

The German, who was racing in F1 from 2006 to 2016, quit after his world championship in 2016. Rosberg's recent statements revealed that he does not always agree with his former employer. For example, he previously said it was very advantageous for Mercedes that the floor of the RB19 was so visible in Monaco.