Nico Rosberg backs Charles Leclerc to beat ‘struggling’ Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Ex-Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg feels Lewis Hamilton will find the same fate he endured against George Russell at Mercedes with Ferrari versus Charles Leclerc.

The seven-time World Champion was out-qualified 19-5 by his Silver Arrows team-mate.

Hamilton’s final qualifying session for Mercedes ended in disappointment as he faced another Q1 exit – his fourth of the season.

However, a recovery drive in the race saw him overtake Russell on the final lap for fourth place – a familiar sight as the 40-year-old often performed better on a Sunday.

Moving to Ferrari next season, Hamilton faces another team-mate who boasts a decent record on a Saturday in Leclerc – with 26 pole positions to his name.

After the finale in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg expressed how he suspects the Moneqasque driver will come out on top at Ferrari as he is of a “similar level” to Russell.

“If you take [Abu Dhabi], then definitely Charles,” Rosberg told Sky F1.

“Because Charles will be on a similar level to George Russell, which is kind of the best of the next generation level, except for Verstappen, [who] was a little higher again, and Lewis is just struggling at the moment, and we don’t really know why.

“So if it’s as of today, then Charles will beat him in the same way as George Russell is beating him.

Despite predicting Leclerc to make a better start, Rosberg couldn’t rule out a Hamilton comeback later on in the season.

“But Lewis is the greatest of all time,” he said.

“We still give him the benefit of the doubt that he can be back to his usual best, and then he should be slightly ahead of Charles at the end of the year.”

Since making his debut with McLaren in 2007, Hamilton has gone on to win seven championships, 105 race wins, take 104 pole positions and a career total of 4862.5 points so far.

A vastly experienced and successful track record would have surely been too good for Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur to turn down.

Where Ferrari and Vasseur have been criticised for is overlooking the fact that Hamilton hasn’t been fighting consistently at the top since 2021.

But former F1-racing driver Anthony Davidson thinks Ferrari will be hoping that a change of scenery could benefit the Briton when he races in red for 2025.

“I think they’re hoping that his fire is rekindled when he gets into that car, and that he can find his mojo again,” Davidson replied.

“I think this year has been particularly tough for Lewis – I can’t imagine, as an ex-driver myself, feeling for a whole season, knowing you’re going to stop, knowing that relationship is going to end.

“It must have been tricky for Lewis this season.

“I think that’s why he’s been a bit up and down.

“Give him that benefit of the doubt.”