Rosberg takes back words years later: "I was wrong to criticise Ferrari"

General

27 May 2021 at 10:10
Last update 27 May 2021 at 10:40
  • GPblog.com

Nico Rosberg voiced strong criticism of Ferrari in 2020. According to the 2016 world champion, the Italian stable had made a grave mistake by choosing Carlos Sainz instead of Daniel Ricciardo to succeed Sebastian Vettel. Just over a year later, Rosberg is backtracking.

Sainz is one of the few drivers who made the switch and immediately shows he is competitive with his new employer. In Monaco, the Spaniard finished second. With Sergio Perez, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, all fairly experienced drivers, it is a different story. Rosberg now takes back his words.

Rosberg admits mistake

"I was wrong to criticise Ferrari for contracting Carlos Sainz because I thought Daniel Ricciardo was a perfect fit for the Scuderia," he stated to Sky Italia. "It seems like Carlos has been running around Maranello all his life. He has adapted to the car and knows how to challenge Leclerc. In Monaco, he was almost on a par with him."

The former driver of Williams and Mercedes, among others, would therefore like to congratulate Sainz. "Because he is doing very well. It was a great move by Ferrari. I was very critical when I said that if they could have signed Ricciardo, how could they go for Sainz? But he is doing very well. Binotto was right," he pulls the punches.