2019 Italian GP - Monza

[Nitrodaze]

It didn't. Rosberg already proved to be a tough fighter in 2013 when Hamilton moved to Mercedes, and we all remember the 2014 season where admittedly very error-prone Rosberg was already fighting for the title like mad. By then it was clear that he is a real deal. Moreover, in 2016 Rosberg wins the first four races establishing a points lead which I believe he carried to the end of season. On the other hand, it's not clear what "Bottas 2.0" could possibly do to bounce from the points deficit that he has now.

The engine failures at the beginning of the second half of the 2016 season presented Rosberg with a slender opportunity to win the title which he took with both hands. How the slender opportunity manifested was questionable and we would talk about it till the cows come home. Nonetheless, Rosberg had to seize the opportunity and hang on to it till Abu dhabi which he did and we respect him for that.

The massive imbalance in the DNFs and reliaility issues between Hamilton and Rosberg explains why Rosberg was able to take the title. On equal footing, the 2016 title would been Hamilton's. That said, that is motor sport and as it went, it was Rosbergs turn to be crowned driver world champion. I don't think anyone would argue about his worthiness of attaining his 2016 world title. He drove a fantastic race throughout the season. It was the most intense rivalry l can remember since Hill vs Schumacher or Prost vs Senna.

I will tell you this much, the race at Abu Dhabi 2016 would stick in my mind for years to come. How Hamilton frustrated Rosberg and the entire team as he backed Rosberg into Vettel's reach, the tension as everyone watched expectantly for something dramatic to happen. The agony of a very threatened Rosberg, the Mercedes team helpless on the pitwall as they desperately tried to persuade Hamilton to press on with the race. It was racing drama at its very finest.

We are going to watch this in a movie in the near future and l hope by God that they get this moment right.