The Hamilton prompted Rosberg change that cost him a now record breaking title

13:54, 22 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Nico Rosberg’s 2016 season is still one of the most debated storylines in modern Formula 1, and according to F1-Insider, there's more to the German's title charge than meets the eye.

Critics, including Jacques Villeneuve, have claimed that Rosberg lacked true passion for racing, suggesting he only entered F1 to emulate his father’s world championship and quit as soon as he achieved it.

But those who followed him closely during that period argue otherwise.

F1-Insider.com, offers a different perspective on what really drove Rosberg to his one and only title.

“Nico had this goal: to become world champion. He subordinated everything else to this dream. He paid attention to every detail,” it was explained by Bianca Garloff, F1-Insider journalist on the outlet’s YouTube channel.

The defining shift came after the infamous Austin Grand Prix in 2015. Lewis Hamilton had just sealed his third championship, pushing Rosberg wide at the start before tossing him the second-place cap in the cool-down room.

To Rosberg, it was the final humiliation. Garloff recalled: “One race later in Mexico, Ralf (Bach) and I sat down with him and wanted to tell him that he couldn’t stand for such things."

rosberg speaking to race engineer prior to the start of the spanish gp

'The moment Rosberg changed and with himself the title's tide as well'

"But he just replied that he now realized it and that he would change.” That change marked the turning point.

From late 2015 through early 2016, Rosberg went on a run of seven consecutive wins, the foundation of his title campaign. But it came at a personal cost.

“This constant counter-attack and attention to every detail was extremely tough for Nico mentally.

"He was a completely different person this year because he was solely focused on this duel with Lewis,” Garloff said.

In 2016, Rosberg operated with tunnel vision: no distractions, no socializing, just focus.

Garloff added: “It was exciting to watch, because the moment he became world champion, Nico suddenly reappeared as his old self.”

That, she argued, explains why he retired just days after achieving his dream. “He knew he couldn’t endure this effort a second time – especially since he might end up losing the title to an even more motivated Lewis Hamilton.”

Far from lacking passion, Rosberg sacrificed everything to reach the pinnacle. The difference was that, unlike Hamilton, he wasn’t willing to go through that grueling battle again.