Rosberg doesn't pick Hamilton as 2018's best driver...
Rosberg doesn't pick Hamilton as 2018's best driver...
Max Verstappen's glowing second half of the Formula 1 season was enough to see him end 2018 as the grid's top performer – perhaps even ahead of champion Lewis Hamilton – according to the Mercedes man's former teammate and rival Nico Rosberg.
Verstappen spilled points as a result of driving errors in five of the opening six races of the season -matters coming to a head when a practice crash in Monaco denied him the chance to compete in a race that Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo won in dominant fashion.
However, the Dutchman responded superbly, taking to the podium in 10 of the subsequent 15 races and showing the kind of performances that have billed him a champion-in-waiting.
Rosberg was among those critical of Verstappen in the early months of the campaign, but hailed his stunning turnaround.
Congrats @LewisHamilton and @MercedesAMGF1 for an awesome season!! pic.twitter.com/2m32Y8ZMqp — Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) November 25, 2018
"He showed he learnt from those mistakes at the beginning of the season, the speed was always there," Rosberg said on Sky Sports.
"In the second half, he's put it all together and maybe he's been even the best driver out there.
"He's done a phenomenal job, the car has improved as well so the package is better. It's been really fun to watch."
Rosberg believes Verstappen could emerge as a genuine title challenger in 2019, although it all depends on Honda's ability to put Red Bull in position.
He added: "It takes a while to learn unless you're Lewis Hamilton.
"He's been growing a lot, he's just a little on the edge too much all the time.
"He has to reel that bit a little bit, he's understood that. If he's got the car next year, he can be a contender for the championship."
VIDEO: Hamilton, Vettel swap helmets after 2018 fight
MORE: Verstappen wanted more fights with Alonso
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Audi agree STAR driver contract as Mercedes driver tipped for new F1 seat THIS season - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- Yesterday 22:57
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
- Yesterday 21:57
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- Yesterday 17:57
Newey Red Bull exit wish CONFIRMED as F1 guru's reasons revealed
- Yesterday 20:57
F1 legend reveals 'FLOOD' of death threats after controversial decision
- Yesterday 19:57
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860