Nico Rosberg responds to criticism from F1 chief Bernie Eccletone
Nico Rosberg has told Bernie Ecclestone he does care about Formula 1 in the wake of criticism from the sport's commercial rights holder
Rosberg and fellow German Sebastian Vettel were singled out by Ecclestone as being bad for business while Lewis Hamilton was hailed a "super promoter of the sport" given his lifestyle off track.
Defending himself against Ecclestone's remarks, Mercedes driver Rosberg feels he has his own way of supporting F1 in contrast to team-mate Hamilton.
"None of that surprises me," said Rosberg, when asked by AUTOSPORT about Ecclestone's comments.
"He has been very open about that all the time, criticising anybody who is not as out there in the world like Lewis, in his manner, because the more you are out there the better it is as you create more attention and all the rest of it.
"That's obvious because he is commercial rights holder, and what does he want?
"He wants some movement out there, and Lewis does a lot of that in his own way.
"I'm a bit more reserved in that sense, so it is not something that surprised me.
"I understand his opinion, everybody does, it is pretty obvious. It's a straightforward thing.
"At the same time I care for the sport, I do think about it, and I try and give a lot back to it in my own way."
Asked whether he felt he could do any more, three-times Monaco Grand Prix winner Rosberg replied: "You can never do enough for what the fans give us, none of us can do enough, to give back, to thank them.
"So at the back of my mind...even at the weekend it was awesome for that because all the fans have the opportunity to get really close to us, not only the fans, but the marshals. Let's not forget them.
"They are working for free, putting their lives at risk sometimes, right at the edge of the track, just getting out there when there are incidents.
"It's a close touch, that's what I like about the weekend, and it's great to have their support."
Previous article
FIA president Jean Todt says alcohol sponsorship won't stop in F1
Next article
Sergio Perez 'flawless' in Monaco - Force India boss Vijay Mallya
The ‘backwards step’ that is the right move for Formula 1
OPINION: With its days apparently numbered, the MGU-H looks set to be dropped from Formula 1’s future engine rules in order to entice new manufacturers in. While it may appear a change of direction, the benefits for teams and fans could make the decision a worthwhile call
The floundering fortunes of F1’s many Lotus reboots
Team Lotus ceased to exist in 1994 - and yet various parties have been trying to resurrect the hallowed name, in increasingly unrecognisable forms, ever since. DAMIEN SMITH brings GP Racing’s history of the legendary team to an end with a look at those who sought to keep the flame alive in Formula 1
Why the 2021 title fight is far from F1's worst, despite its toxic background
OPINION: Formula 1 reconvenes for the Russian Grand Prix two weeks after the latest blow in ‘Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton’. While the Silverstone and Monza incidents were controversial, they thankfully lacked one element that so far separates the 2021 title fight from the worst examples of ugly championship battles
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
