Rosberg Analysis: Vettel & Hamilton, Audi & Ferrari / Formula 1

After five races of the World Cup in 2024, everything speaks of successfully defending the title with Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. What is most exciting for world champion Nico Rosberg is what will happen in 2025.

Nico Rosberg did not miss the opportunity to attend the first Chinese GP in five years. The 38-year-old from Wiesbaden says: “Shanghai will always have a special place in my heart because you will never forget where you won your first Grand Prix for the rest of your life.” That was in 2012 at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Verstappen analyzed what was happening in China for our colleagues at Sky. Regarding Max Verstappen’s victory, Nico says: “For me, Max is already one of the five best Formula 1 drivers of all time. Fangio, Schumacher, Senna, Hamilton and Verstappen.”

If this first leg of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship is any real indicator, then there is much to point to a successful defense of the title by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. For 206-time GP participant Rosberg, it is also more exciting to think about what will happen in the next year and beyond.

The return of Sebastian Vettel with Mercedes

Nico Rosberg, the 2016 Formula 1 champion, says: “George Russell is driving as the number 1 driver. That’s good, because it wasn’t always clear that he could do it. That’s good for Mercedes.”

“To see Sebastian driving next to him will be great for all of us. However, Sebastian was not as great in his last year at Aston Martin in 2022 as Alonso is today. That is why I wonder if he is still as fast as he was in his prime. I see it as impossible to return to him, even if I personally would like to.

The future of Carlos Sainz

23-time GP winner Rosberg describes the Madrilenian situation as follows: “If you look at the driver market, Carlos is better everywhere. He would be better for Mercedes and better for Red Bull Racing. But RBR probably didn’t give him that much money, and at Mercedes they don’t want to give him more than a year because they are hoping for Kimi Antonelli, who is really a special talent, by 2026 at the earliest. Putting Antonelli in Mercedes as early as 2025 would be too early in my opinion.

“When it comes to Audi: Carlos would be a good fit for Sauber in 2025 and 2026, but is Sauber/Audi also a good fit for Sainz? The Spaniard wants to win races now, but then he’s about to start again. This is a very difficult decision.”

Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton

Nico Rosberg believes: “For me, Ferrari now has a good chance to approach Red Bull Racing at some point. Lewis Hamilton is currently in a poor form, but I believe he will pull through. The most successful Formula 1 driver will be 40 years old at Ferrari in 2025, but I don’t see that as an obstacle. Fernando Alonso is showing the success that an exceptional driver can show at this age. We will have something good in 2025.”

China-GP, Shanghai International Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:40:52,554 h
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +13.773
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +19,160
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +23,623
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +33,983
06. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +38,724
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +43,414
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +56.198
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +57,986
10. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:00,476 min
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1:02,812
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1:05,506
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1:09,223
14. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1:11,689
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:22,768
16. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1:27.553
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1:35,110
outside
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, collision
Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, Collision
Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, engine

World Championship Position (after 5 out of 24 Grands Prix and 1 out of 6 Sprints)

the driver
01. Verstappen 110 points
02. Perez 85
03. Leclerc 76
04. Sainz 69
05. Norris 58
06. Plate 38
07. Russell 33
08. Alonso 31
09. Hamilton 19
10. Walk 9
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 4
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Okon 0
17. Zhou 0
18. Ricciardo 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 195 Punkte
02. Ferrari 151
03. McLaren 96
04. Mercedes 52
05. Aston Martin 40
06. Running Bull 7
07. Exactly 5
08. Williams 0
09. Alpine 0
10. Sauber 0