Does Rosberg want to be Verstappen's Red Bull teammate? 'Nobody has a chance'

Red Bull Content Pool

F1 News

Does Rosberg want to be Verstappen's Red Bull teammate? 'Nobody has a chance'
6 September 2023 at 10:02
Last update 6 September 2023 at 10:39
  • GPblog.com

Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg himself would not currently want to drive alongside Max Verstappen if he knew he would be second driver. The former Mercedes driver became world champion in 2016 when he beat teammate Lewis Hamilton. The German driver explains why he does not want to be a teammate next to Verstappen.

"No, because I am very happy with where I am now in my life," Rosberg told the Sky Sports F1 podcast. "But if I was someone like Alex Albon, it really depends. It's a difficult one cause you know that you're just not going to have a chance against Max. No one in the world will have a chance against Max," the German Formula One world champion continued.

Rosberg not joining Verstappen in the team

"So yes you have the best car you can win races. You can be in the best team but do you really accept to put yourself in a place where youre going to be a number two. That's the question you have to ask yourself," Rosberg says. "I personally would not do it because he has so much experience in that team, it's almost impossible for me in my prime to go in there, and expect to be able to dominate him. That's not realistic. I would not have done it I don't think," Rosberg concluded.

Next to Verstappen in the Red Bull team is currently Sergio Perez. The Mexican has been widely criticised for his performance being somewhat on the lean side. The 33-year-old driver from Guadalajara is currently 145 points behind Verstappen in the world championship. A spot is still available at Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season.