Nico Rosberg says Charles Leclerc was too much of a ‘good guy’ against Carlos Sainz at Monza 

Nico Rosberg believes Leclerc was playing it safe against Sainz.

Nico Rosberg says Charles Leclerc was too much of a ‘good guy’ against Carlos Sainz at Monza 

Nico Rosberg, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc battle at Monza (Via IMAGO)

Nico Rosberg, the 2016 world champion, assessed Charles Leclerc’s performance at the Italian GP by contrasting it with his racing style. Rosberg observed that Leclerc seemed excessively cautious, describing him as a “nice guy” in his battle against Carlos Sainz at the Monza race.

During the Monza GP, the passionate Tifosi witnessed a thrilling showdown in the final laps of the 2023 Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari drivers Sainz and Leclerc engaged in an intense battle for third position at their home track. Ultimately, Sainz emerged victorious, securing pole position on Saturday. Both Ferrari drivers safely crossed the finish line, entertaining the crowd and showcasing their strong performance.

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Nico Rosberg, however, found Charles Leclerc’s playful demeanor surprising after their intense battle. He drew a comparison to his own experience during the 2014 Bahrain GP, where he finished second to Lewis Hamilton and felt frustrated. Rosberg suggested that speaking the unfiltered truth might not be wise in such situations, hinting at the potential consequences of candid remarks.

“I remember that I myself: ‘Wow, that was the most fun battle I’ve ever had’……. I was seriously angry and hurt about finishing second to Lewis, and it wasn’t fun at all….Obviously we cannot always tell the truth because we run the risk that it could backfire. But I think he(Leclerc) was quite sincere, and I thought he was too ‘good guy’ already in qualifying,” said Nico Rosberg during the Sky Sports UK podcast (H&T: Formulapassion).

Discover: Logan Sargeant blames Williams’ old front wing for his sub-par Monza finish 

Ferrari fans express frustration as Nico Rosberg’s curse strikes again at Monza

Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc; Image credit: skysports.com

Setting aside the Monza curse, Ferrari experienced the impact of the Nico Rosberg curse following their defeat to Max Verstappen on the home track. Verstappen arrived in Ferrari’s territory and created Formula 1 history by seeking his 10th consecutive victory.

Before the race, Nico Rosberg expressed his support for Scuderia Ferrari on social media, showing solidarity with them on their home turf, stating, “I want to see Ferrari win today. The atmosphere will be incredible.”

It’s worth noting that when Nico Rosberg supported Max Verstappen and expressed his desire to see Verstappen on pole position, Carlos Sainz ultimately claimed that position. Rosberg again stated that he wanted Ferrari to win, but it went to Redbull. Many fans are convinced that Sainz was another victim of Rosberg’s selfie curse where any team he posses for a photo ahead of the race or qualifying have an underwhelming day.

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