09 June 2023 , 05:00
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Nico Rosberg gave Formula 1 fans an insider's view of the struggles of his former team-mate Michael Schumacher when he returned to the sport for his Mercedes encore.
Schumacher is regarded by many as the greatest driver F1 has ever seen. His record of seven world titles can be matched only by Lewis Hamilton.
Five of them were won in consecutive seasons with Ferrari at the start of the 2000s, to add to the pair he won with Bennetton a few years earlier.
He left the Scuderia after the 2006 campaign, but would later return to the grid. This time he was wearing Mercedes colours as the German carmaker bid to establish itself in the sport.
They had two German drivers at their disposal, with the legendary Schumacher partnered by young and hungry Rosberg. So he was right in the thick of it as the seven-time champion spent three years trying – and ultimately failing – to relive past glories.
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The situation has been compared by some to that of Fernando Alonso today. The Spaniard also spent some time away from F1 and returned, but seems to be enjoying more success as a regular sight on the podium with Aston Martin this season.
"I really like the story of Alonso's return," said Rosberg, who now works for Sky Sports as a pundit, of the double champion. "He's aiming for his 33rd win, he's one of the greatest of all time.
Alonso is having a ball with Aston Martin (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
Schumi's Mercedes spell yielded little success (AFP/Getty Images)"He's about to turn 42 and I know what that means because Michael Schumacher was my team-mate when he was over 40. I remember Michael was still very quick on a lap and even in the race, but he just had a bit more trouble adapting.
"For example, DRS was new to him at that time and he sometimes forgot that you go faster with DRS, or he forgot to switch it off again and that led to some violent bumps. Sometimes he just lacked a bit of adaptation.
"With all due respect to Alonso, he's almost 42 years old – the level he's driving at is epic and I think we'd all be very happy if he gets his 33rd win."