Mercedes Benz team chief Toto Wolff is confident Nico Rosberg will come back stronger next year from his desert duel defeat by Lewis Hamilton in yesterday’s title showdown in Abu Dhabi.
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In the wake of Hamilton’s triumph, and the clinching of his second drivers’ world title at the Yas Marina circuit, Wolff also pointed to the strong and respectful rivalry that underpins their relationship as team-mates.
Rosberg went into the race starting from pole position and seeking to overturn Hamilton’s 17-point lead in the title race with double points on offer for the first time.
But after a poor start, he was unable to respond to Hamilton’s pace and gradually fell down the running order after being hit by a succession of car problems. Rosberg eventually finished 14th.
“We know that Lewis’ talent is enormous and you can see that with 11 race victories,” said Wolff.
“But both of them have grown as personalities and as drivers this year.
“Don’t expect Nico to give up and not to come back.
"He has got to lick his wounds and try to learn for next year and bounce back. I think both of them are going to be great competitors and fight next year.”
He added that Rosberg’s success in out-performing Hamilton in qualifying was one reason for his belief in the future.
“Lewis’s best thing is qualifying and Nico has beaten him so I expect them to race hard and fight each other next year.”
Rosberg said it was painful to watch Hamilton’s celebrations but was gracious in defeat, admitting his team-mate was a more than worthy champion.
He told F1 Live: “Lewis did a little bit better job than me in the races. Tiny bits that I need to find.
“He was the best driver on the grid this year – and it was a great battle between us.
“And that is what I am racing for: for such battles.
"Of course there have been intense moments between us – but most of the time it was simply fantastic.
“Of course right now disappointment is the dominant emotion.
"I have to digest this whole situation. I think that is understandable.”
Wolff added that he was especially pleased at the manner in which his team’s two drivers behaved after the race.
“You could see in that moment, when Nico came up, that the rivalry was so intense, but there is an underlying long-lasting history and a relationship between the two of them – and they respect each other,” he said.
“It was intense and it is going to be intense next year, we are going to have ups and downs, situations which are difficult to manage.
"But if two drivers are fighting for a championship in the same team you cannot expect harmony all the time.”