Rosberg: Russell can't be 'nice guy' in Hamilton battle

Sky Sports F1 Podcast: George Russell can't be 'nice guy' in Lewis Hamilton battle, says Nico Rosberg The Sky Sports F1 Podcast is your one-stop shop to stay across all the biggest stories in Formula 1; download and subscribe via Spotify, Apple, Spreaker and listen to the latest episode via the podcast player below Last Updated: 17/10/23 5:39pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Nico Rosberg says George Russell can't afford to play the 'nice guy' in his rivalry with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg says George Russell can't afford to play the 'nice guy' in his rivalry with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton George Russell "can't just be the nice guy" in his battle with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg has told the Sky Sports F1 Podcast. Seven-time world champion Hamilton took responsibility and apologised for causing a first-corner collision with Russell at the Qatar Grand Prix earlier in October, as their inter-team rivalry boiled over following several near misses.With both drivers contracted to the team until the end of the 2026 season, the pair maintaining a positive relationship is likely to be a crucial factor in Mercedes' hopes of ending Red Bull's dominant streak. Rosberg, who drove alongside Hamilton for four seasons at Mercedes and beat the Brit in his final F1 campaign in 2016 to seal a maiden drivers' title, has warned that Russell must continue to apply pressure at all levels."Things have been heating up there because also in Suzuka it was well over the limit on one occasions when they both took each other off the track," Rosberg said."It's a very difficult situation for George as well. Unfortunately, you can't just be the nice guy in that situation - you have to also internally keep the pressure on. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide on the opening lap of the Qatar Grand Prix Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide on the opening lap of the Qatar Grand Prix "You have to make it difficult for the team, unfortunately. It sucks, but otherwise the team will always just take the easiest route."So it's very uncomfortable because George needs to be pushing - which he does on the radio, you hear him saying things like 'again' and things like that. So he's really trying to hold against it."Hamilton said after the race that the incident was "100 per cent" his fault, and was also shown in a video […]