Rosberg praises Hamilton’s ‘natural talent’

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Nico Rosberg believes Lewis Hamilton has more natural talent than Michael Schumacher.

Nico Rosberg believes Lewis Hamilton has more natural talent than Michael Schumacher.

Nico Rosberg believes his former Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton is one of Formula 1’s ‘greatest natural talents’.

The German raced alongside Hamilton at Mercedes from 2013-16, and before that spent three season’s alongside many people’s choice as Formula 1’s greatest competitor Michael Schumacher.

Rosberg retired as World Champion after pipping Hamilton to the crown in 2016, and has now discussed his experiences, racing alongside two of the sport’s biggest names.

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, he said: “Lewis probably has a bit more natural talent than Michael.

“Lewis has one of the greatest natural talents our sport has ever seen, so he makes the difference.

“In terms of work ethic, Schumacher was something else.

“Things come very easily to Lewis naturally. Instinct, natural talent. Michael was the complete package.”

Schumacher retired from Formula 1 in 2006 with seven World Championships to his name, but returned in 2010 to partner Rosberg at the revived Mercedes works team.

And despite ultimately outperforming the legendary racer, Rosberg said he was “a little bit scared” about being his team-mate.

”The first thought with Michael Schumacher? A little bit scared. Can I even compete?.”

“Michael was a warrior. Every day after getting up, he would think: How do I make my teammate small?

“When I finally got the better of Michael, then came Lewis. At least I knew him from go-karts. He was not as alien to me as Michael.”

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