Mercedes Chief reveals Lewis Hamilton respected ‘impartiality’ during Nico Rosberg rivalry

Mercedes's chief Ron Meadows recalled that Lewis Hamilton respected the 'impartiality' during his rivalry with Nico Rosberg in 2016.

Mercedes Chief reveals Lewis Hamilton respected ‘impartiality’ during Nico Rosberg rivalry

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton is a driver who has risen through all the issues and continued to keep up with performances. The Briton has dealt his fair share of problems in Formula 1 in the past but has never gone rogue against anyone on the grid. Hamilton’s close rivalry with Nico Rosberg during 2013-2016 was one such time when the former respected ‘impartiality’ from Ron Meadows between the drivers.

Mercedes Chief Ron Meadows recalled the 2016 season where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were the favorites for the championship titles. The two drivers often visited the steward’s room back then due to the close competition for the title win. Meadows was present during all the summons and had to be impartial against Hamilton at times due to the competitive environment.

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Meadows recalled that over the 12 years of Hamilton’s stint with Mercedes, the driver never had a ‘cross-word’ with the crew. The 60-year-old pointed out that he had been to the stewards quite often due to the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry. The seven-time world champion clearly saw that the Mercedes chief had to be impartial and respected that.

I think 12 years we never had a cross word. We’ve been to the stewards quite a lot, especially in the Nico [Rosberg] vs Lewis days, and it doesn’t matter who was to blame, he always he could see that I had to be impartial

Ron Meadows told The New York Times

Lewis Hamilton remained ‘respectful’ despite being ‘demanding’ with the engineers

A driver’s input is extremely important for the team’s chassis development over the season. Lewis Hamilton due to his experience in Formula 1 remained demanding with the engineers. Ron Meadows acknowledged that this was the 39-year-old’s ‘job’ to extract the maximum benefits from the team. Hamilton remained respectful with the crew and accepted his shortcomings when being ‘too pushy’.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg (via IMAGO).
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg (via IMAGO).

He’s quite demanding on the engineers, because that’s his job to extract the most out of them, but he’s always respectful, and when sometimes he’s been a bit too pushy, he’ll reflect and come back, and say: ‘yeah, maybe I just need to back off there.’

Ron Meadows added.

Hamilton will face a completely new set of crew at Ferrari in the 2025 season. The Briton will have to get used to the Italian crewmates after leaving the comfort of the people at Mercedes. The seven-time world champion could finally contend for the world championship with Maranello as the team fastens the preparations for the upcoming season.