Lewis Hamilton realised his big mistake after Nico Rosberg ‘wake-up call’ in 2016 F1 title loss

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Lewis Hamilton was quick to realise a mistake he had made after losing the 2016 Formula 1 world title to Nico Rosberg. 

Hamilton and Rosberg were childhood friends, but their friendship evaporated during a tense and dramatic title fight in 2016.

After multiple incidents on track, Rosberg eventually came out on top, sealing his maiden world championship by finishing five points ahead of Hamilton. 

Having finally realised his dream, Rosberg decided to walk away from the sport, while Hamilton went on to win four more titles. 

Anthony Davidson noticed ‘difference’ in Lewis Hamilton after 2026 title heartbreak

In Sky Sports reporter Rachel Brookes’ new book, ‘F1 Racing Drive’, ex-F1 driver Anthony Davidson spoke about the title race between Hamilton and Rosberg. 

Davidson, who was a simulator driver for Mercedes in 2016, claimed that Hamilton ‘realised’ Rosberg worked much harder than him on his way to victory.

Brookes wrote: “Former Formula 1 driver and analyst Anthony Davidson saw both at close quarters that season as the Mercedes team’s simulator driver.

“He revealed the difference he saw in Lewis after 2016: he’s a much harder worker now than he used to be.

“Anthony Davidson believes 2016 was a big wake-up call for Lewis. He goes on to explain: I think that was probably the turning point where he really started to knuckle down and then demand more from everyone.

“Nico had to basically outwork him, and that’s what he did. Lewis definitely took himself away after 2016 and realised that pretty much one of the main reasons why Rosberg beat him that year was because he worked his a— off.

“I think Nico always had that in him, but as soon as he got that sniff of a chance when he realised he had a bit of momentum on his side, and always how he can get under Lewis’ skin sometimes, I think he really enjoyed stoking the fire.

“And it wasn’t just to Lewis, it was with people in the team as well; he left no stone unturned.”

How can Toto Wolff avoid a Hamilton-Rosberg situation with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell this season?

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Nico Rosberg admits he decided to retire after crossing the line in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi was Rosberg’s crowning moment, despite finishing behind Hamilton, the German had enough buffer to clinch the title.

Although he announced his retirement a few days later, Rosberg has previously admitted that the decision was made after he crossed the finishing line in Abu Dhabi.

Rosberg told Squaremile: “Two metres after the line in Abu Dhabi. If you ask me, ‘When did you decide to retire?’ That was the moment.

“I had given it everything. It was a question of do I want to continue to deliver and live in that intensity, and with my dream having come true – I’d fulfilled my goal of being world champion – it just felt like a great moment to step away and have a new life, with different benefits.”