Nico Rosberg called out by F1 pundit over Michael Schumacher tales – ‘That says it all’ | F1 | Sport
Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver for Jordan, Toyota, and Williams, has called out Nico Rosberg over his Michael Schumacher stories from their time as Mercedes team-mates. The 2016 world champion has complained about the mind games used by the legendary former Ferrari star, but according to his brother, he “should have just put his foot down.”
During an interview with Sport1, Schumacher was asked about Lando Norris’ 2025 Drivers’ Championship title triumph. During his answer, he drew comparisons between the McLaren driver and Rosberg, who beat Lewis Hamilton to the crown in 2016 before retiring immediately after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“I am particularly pleased that someone who accepts his weaknesses has become world champion,” Schumacher replied. “That took a lot of strength on his part. We often discussed this in the media, especially his qualifying mistakes.
“But he shows that you don’t have to be perfect to become world champion. Will he ever be able to match the successes of Max, Michael or Lewis? I don’t think so. It takes too much energy for him.
“There are drivers who don’t find it natural – like Nico Rosberg. He stopped immediately afterwards. He said himself that he was shaking before the last start. To be honest, I was nervous, but I never shook. That shows how much strength it takes.”
The German pundit was then asked about Rosberg’s comments about his F1 career since moving into punditry. The Wiesbaden-born racer has been open about the mental adjustments he needed to face two seven-time world champions in Schumacher and Hamilton.
“Everyone ticks differently,” Schumacher continued. “It’s to Nico’s credit that he’s so open about it today. It’s not my view of things, but then I didn’t become world champion either. He became world champion against a seven-time champion. That’s quite an achievement.
“Nevertheless, you can see how he ticks – even today. He’s always playing mind games. He still tells stories about my brother – about alleged mind games in toilets or car parks. I know Michael. He was at a completely different point in his career. Ultimately, Nico should have just put his foot down. If he’s behind a 40-year-old in Monaco, that says it all.”
Schumacher spent three seasons driving alongside Rosberg with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012, following his F1 comeback. The younger German driver finished ahead in the Drivers’ Championship standings on all three occasions, but their battles were hard-fought.
