Rosberg: 'I think Ferrari is faster than Red Bull Racing at the moment'

14:40, 23 Jul 2022
6 Comments

Nico Rosberg is enjoying the exciting battle between Red Bull Racing and Ferrari and the former world champion does not think the title fight has been decided yet either. He also expects a clash between Verstappen and Leclerc.

Although Max Verstappen has opened up a considerable gap on Charles Leclerc in a short space of time, the Monegasque has been able to narrow it over the last few races. At Silverstone, he was helped by a piece of carbon fibre, but in Austria, Ferrari were clearly the best team.

Nico Rosberg is not convinced Red Bull Racing is the fastest team, despite Verstappen setting the fastest time in FP3. "I think F1 is as exciting as ever, the title race is still very much on. Ferrari still fast, I would say they still have the edge over Red Bull," the former driver told the Sky Sports F1.

Even during a race weekend, the balance can change significantly between Red Bull Racing and Ferrari. For example, Ferrari were faster in FP2, but Verstappen's long runs looked better. Rosberg thinks that is due to lower downforce for the Dutchman.

Clash between Verstappen and Leclerc

At the French Grand Prix, Verstappen and Leclerc could potentially be fighting each other directly again, with overtakes on the track. Rosberg is surprised that things are still going so well between the two because both drivers have already met each other many times at Grands Prix.

The former Mercedes driver reckons it will come down to a clash between the Dutchman and the Monegasque. With so many direct fights, it is bound to end in 'a wheel bang or a different opinion about an incident.' Indeed, Rosberg is even hoping for one, because 'as a fan, we want to see things heating up a bit more.'

6 Comments
BushyBB 24 July 2022 at 07:58+ 857

Did you work that out all by yourself Nico???

Aristotle Maverick Lee 23 July 2022 at 23:16+ 8

I'm not an english native. clash simply means conflict or a crash here in Rosberg's context?

CJ77 23 July 2022 at 15:03+ 10555

What an absolute idiot this guy is becoming. The fans want to see it heating up and clashes happening? No we dont you idiot. We want to see more of the clean racing we have enjoyed this year so far and the faster car win on merit. Not because he punted his opponent into the barriers at full speed. This guy needs to disappear completely from F1 and focus on his electric offroad racing team.

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Bret 23 July 2022 at 15:05+ 43891

He is a commentator and wants the protagonists to fight at heightened levels. But MAX and Leclerc are shrewd. They wont risk allowing Mercs into the fight by taking each other out!!! Wishful thinking by Rosberg & Lewis fans!!! Max & Leclerc have an unwritten code of conduct. They will honour it.

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Carmen Lava 23 July 2022 at 14:56+ 1169

It's horrific to see dirt between them, but it's no surprise that Rosberg says so because he grew up with a team that establishes dirt in the minds of its drivers.

Ferrarifanatic 23 July 2022 at 14:55+ 14286

Ferrari is a good car, but the reliability issues are still plaguing them!