Rosberg: 'Max hyper-aggressive and Lewis has stopped backing out'

Nico Rosberg is thoroughly enjoying the spectacle that is the 2021 Formula 1 season so far. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are in a fierce battle for the title and that makes for constant tension. Rosberg likes to see it.

"As long as nobody gets hurt, it's awesome. It’s such a great battle for us fans to watch because they’re both the best of their generation. They’re both the best wheel-to-wheel racers," Rosberg said in an interview for Motorsport Magazine. "They know how to take the cars to the absolute limit when it’s wheel-to-wheel."

Rosberg not surprised by contact

According to the singular world champion, it is therefore also inevitable that there will be contact from time to time. "There already was [before Silverstone], in Imola. And Lewis I think now is not backing out anymore. Max will never back out. So it’s exciting stuff…”", he says. Still, Rosberg does see a basis of respect. "But we’re not at the destructive phase yet. I think it’s just building up. Now let’s see where it goes."

Whereas Hamilton did sometimes back down from fights in recent seasons, the Briton will not do so in 2021. The battle is in full swing. "I mean, Max is hyper-aggressive, and Lewis has stopped backing out. So it’s going to be interesting for them to manage that.”