close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Rosberg: I was never a Schumacher fan

Photo: © LAT Images

Rosberg: I was never a Schumacher fan

His allegiances lay elsewhere.

Former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has admitted that he was never a Michael Schumacher fan growing up, as Mika Hakkinen was always the driver he admired.

Rosberg is the son of 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg and his German wife Sina, meaning that he is half-Finnish-half-German. As a result of his father’s nationality and his own dual nationality, Rosberg subsequently became a fan of another Finn, Hakkinen, instead of Schumacher, but did hold him as a figure of inspiration.

"Schumacher was a huge inspiration for an entire generation,” the 2016 champion told WELT.

“His dedication to the sport, his passion and commitment were phenomenal. However, I was rooting for his opponent, Mika Hakkinen. So I was not the Schumacher fan growing up.”

The 34-year-old would later partner with Schumacher later in his career with Mercedes, and it would be there that he would begin to appreciate the work-ethic and talent of the seven-time world champion.

Vettel: Schumacher can revive F1 in GermanyRead more

“As a teammate, I learned so much from him,” he continued.

“That certainly helped me to become world champion myself later. I mainly learnt how to gain respect within a team. What position you have to take and how to be a 'team player'.

“Those are the most important things I learned from him.”

The pair would be team-mates for two years before Schumacher announced his retirement for the second time.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lando Norris reveals honest take on F1 rival's title win: 'This is sick what is this?!'

Lando Norris reveals honest take on F1 rival's title win: 'This is sick what is this?!'

  • Yesterday 22:42
Red Bull car opens up for Fernando Alonso but it will cost Aston Martin star £5m

Red Bull car opens up for Fernando Alonso but it will cost Aston Martin star £5m

  • Yesterday 21:57
F1 needs Max Verstappen to give rival drivers 'sleepless nights'

F1 needs Max Verstappen to give rival drivers 'sleepless nights'

  • Yesterday 20:57
Max Verstappen's 'nerve-wracking' admission about life as a father

Max Verstappen's 'nerve-wracking' admission about life as a father

  • Yesterday 19:57
Christian Horner causes uproar with remark about F1 champion Max Verstappen

Christian Horner causes uproar with remark about F1 champion Max Verstappen

  • Yesterday 18:57
Serena Williams speaks about special Lewis Hamilton relationship

Serena Williams speaks about special Lewis Hamilton relationship

  • Yesterday 17:57

Just in

9-5
Lando Norris reveals honest take on F1 rival's title win: 'This is sick what is this?!'
9-5
Red Bull car opens up for Fernando Alonso but it will cost Aston Martin star £5m
9-5
F1 needs Max Verstappen to give rival drivers 'sleepless nights'
9-5
Max Verstappen's 'nerve-wracking' admission about life as a father
9-5
Christian Horner causes uproar with remark about F1 champion Max Verstappen
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Red Bull car opens up for Fernando Alonso but it will cost Aston Martin star £5m Fernando Alonso

Red Bull car opens up for Fernando Alonso but it will cost Aston Martin star £5m

Yesterday 21:57
F1 needs Max Verstappen to give rival drivers 'sleepless nights' Max Verstappen

F1 needs Max Verstappen to give rival drivers 'sleepless nights'

Yesterday 20:57
Max Verstappen's 'nerve-wracking' admission about life as a father Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen's 'nerve-wracking' admission about life as a father

Yesterday 19:57
Serena Williams speaks about special Lewis Hamilton relationship Lewis Hamilton

Serena Williams speaks about special Lewis Hamilton relationship

Yesterday 17:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x