Rosberg blames Hamilton for insincerity: 'Came in handy'

After it was announced that Valtteri Bottas would be leaving Mercedes and continuing his career at Alfa Romeo, Lewis Hamilton posted an extensive message on his social media full of praise for his teammate of the past five seasons. Nico Rosberg, however, doubts its sincerity.

Rosberg, Hamilton's teammate from 2013 to 2016, reacted at a fan event in Italy to Hamilton's announcement of Bottas' departure. "It all came out quite conveniently," he told Motorsport.com. "He never beat Lewis, it was all quiet. That's why he says he's the best teammate ever." According to Rosberg, the "love" for Bottas only exists because the Finn has never pushed Hamilton.

Rosberg is one of Hamilton's few teammates who managed to beat him. The German did so in 2016 by taking the world title. Rosberg immediately quit Formula 1 after that. The only other driver who managed to beat Hamilton as a teammate was Jenson Button in 2011.

Rosberg also joked about Hamilton's post. "I wanted to respond to that on Instagram: 'what about me', but of course Valtteri is the big love," he said. Hamilton will get young George Russell as a teammate in 2022. The Briton is seen as a future world champion and he could well fuel the rivalry within Mercedes.