In the world of Formula 1, statements from prominent figures always cause a stir, and even more so when they come from someone as relevant as Nico Rosberg.

The former German driver, who was world champion in 2016, recently sparked controversy with his comments about the competitiveness of current drivers, specifically Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

According to Rosberg, Piastri and Norris do not deserve to have won the championship in their respective categories because, in his opinion, their cars are equipped with illegal engines.

Furthermore, the former world champion believes that Verstappen is the only driver who truly deserves to be champion, citing his internal difficulties within the Red Bull team as a key factor. Rosberg has also predicted that the Dutch driver will be world champion again in 2025.

Rosberg’s words were released in an interview that quickly generated echo in the specialized media.

The former Mercedes driver, who won the world title in 2016 after a fierce fight with his teammate Lewis Hamilton, said that both Piastri and Norris have had exceptional performance, but suggested that their victories have been favored by engines that do not meet the standards of the FIA ​​regulations.

These types of accusations are not new in the world of Formula 1, where teams and drivers are always under the scrutiny of other rivals and the press.

However, Rosberg’s statement goes beyond a simple sports criticism, touching on a delicate topic: the legality of the engines. In his opinion, these irregular engines would have been a competitive advantage for both drivers, which would have affected the fairness of the competition.

What remains surprising is the suggestion that these drivers, who are relatively new to F1’s elite, have been favored by the FIA.

The relationship between teams and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has always been a sensitive issue, and insinuations of favoritism have been recurrent throughout the history of the sport.

However, the FIA ​​maintains tight control over the cars’ technical specifications and engines, and there has been no concrete evidence to suggest that the McLaren vehicles (the team of Piastri and Norris) are breaking the rules.

In the same comment, Rosberg did not limit himself to criticizing Piastri and Norris, but also took the opportunity to praise Max Verstappen, the current world champion and one of the most dominant drivers in Formula 1 in recent years.

Rosberg stressed that, despite the internal difficulties faced by Red Bull, Verstappen is, in his opinion, the only driver who truly deserves to win the championship.

The “internal difficulties” mentioned by Rosberg refer to tensions within Red Bull, a team that, despite its success on the track, has had to deal with certain internal problems regarding the management of its drivers and decision making.

These conflicts, which are not entirely unknown to motorsport fans, include pressure on Verstappen to maintain his dominance against teammate Sergio Pérez, who has had inconsistent performances.

Rosberg is not the only one who recognizes Verstappen’s skill and dedication. Many experts and sports fans see the Dutch driver as the favorite to continue dominating the championship, given his impressive winning streak and his ability to adapt to changing racing conditions.

Finally, Rosberg predicted that Max Verstappen will continue to be the world champion in 2025.

Although this forecast is not a surprise to many, since Verstappen has proven to be one of the most complete and consistent drivers in the recent history of Formula 1, Rosberg’s statement further reinforces the belief that the Dutchman is, at this time, the main candidate to dominate the sport in the coming years.

In this sense, Rosberg distances himself a bit from criticism and is confident in Verstappen’s abilities.

The former champion also expressed that Formula 1 needs drivers like Verstappen, who, in addition to being talented, have the ability to remain firm under pressure and overcome the most difficult challenges.

Of course, Rosberg’s statements have not gone unnoticed. Piastri and Norris themselves, as well as representatives of the McLaren team, have defended the legality of their cars and engines.

Both drivers, in several interviews, have expressed that their achievements are the result of hard work and dedication, and have made it clear that they fully trust F1 regulations and FIA controls.

Verstappen, for his part, has not reacted directly to Rosberg’s statements, although his performance on the track remains unstoppable. The Dutch driver has preferred to focus on his preparation for the next championships and on maintaining his level of excellence.

Nico Rosberg’s words have opened an interesting debate about competitiveness in Formula 1 and the relationships between the teams, the FIA ​​and the drivers.

Although the controversy over illegal engines appears to be more of a personal opinion than an accusation based on verifiable facts, the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport is paramount.

As the 2025 championship approaches, it will be fascinating to see if Verstappen manages to confirm Rosberg’s predictions or if other drivers, such as Piastri or Norris, manage to surprise everyone with their skills.

Without a doubt, F1 will continue to be a sport full of emotions, surprises and, of course, rivalries that fuel the passions of fans.