Why Nico Rosberg is the ultimate gentleman

It was tough, if you were a German F1 fan, to watch Nico Rosberg finish behind his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. These two great champions battled over the course of the season and each had taken the lead at different moments, Rosberg had been 14 points ahead of Hamilton at one stage and commentators were predicting that the German would storm to his first championship. Hamilton had only won one championship (in 2008) and many felt that Rosberg would be unbeatable this season – Hamilton hadn’t read the script though and put in the best performance of his career to win his second championship.

The season had not been an overly genteel one; the Briton and the German constantly sniped at each other and engaged in mind games over the course of the 19 race World Championship. The pair started as friends and were confident that their relationship would not be tested by being teammates contesting for the title. After a few fiery early races, the media was keen to fan the flames of discord, imitating that Hamilton and Rosberg were arch-enemies, but the truth is that they both maintained a deep respect for each other throughout the championship.

Rosberg was gracious in every victory, every defeat and in every single instance where he was called in front of the cameras. After the controversial qualifying incident in Monaco, where Rosberg qualified first and Hamilton’s lap was ruined by Rosberg’s locking up on his final run. Rosberg immediately apologised to Hamilton, not out of guilt, but out of courtesy.

After Hamilton secured the championship Rosberg was most gracious and honestly observed that Hamilton had had a superior season to him and deserved to win the Championship saying; ‘I’m very disappointed but all in all Lewis deserved to win the championship. That’s clear.’ Rosberg showed no bitterness even though his car had failed him in the final race and his warmth towards his friend after such an intense season was indicative of a true gentleman.