Hakkinen backs Rosberg to challenge Hamilton in 2015 F1 season
Mika Hakkinen believes Nico Rosberg has the motivation and ability to fight back against Lewis Hamilton for the 2015 Formula One title, despite Hamilton's 2014 championship win.
Double world champion Mika Hakkinen has said Nico Rosberg is capable of beating Lewis Hamilton to the Formula One world title in 2015, arguing that the German’s motivation and qualifying speed make him a serious contender despite last season’s defeat.
Hamilton secured his second drivers’ championship in 2014 after a season-long battle with Rosberg, both driving for Mercedes. The Briton finished with 11 wins to Rosberg’s five, but the rivalry remained close, with Rosberg taking more pole positions over the year and topping qualifying at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hakkinen, who was managed by Keke Rosberg during his own career, said he does not expect Hamilton’s 2014 success to automatically translate into dominance in 2015. He pointed to Rosberg’s strong performances in qualifying and his resilience throughout the campaign as evidence that the fight is far from settled.
Mercedes rivalry set to continue
With Mercedes expected to maintain its technical advantage into 2015, the intra-team battle is likely to remain the main focus at the front of the grid. Hakkinen said Rosberg’s motivation to claim the title remains high, and that the outcome could depend on which driver adapts best to any changes in the new car.
Hakkinen stopped short of making a firm prediction, noting that until the new cars run in testing, it is impossible to say whether Mercedes’ advantage will be as great as in 2014 or if the car will suit one driver more than the other. But he insisted that Rosberg should not be discounted as a championship threat.
What to expect in the 2015 F1 season
Mercedes’ dominance in 2014 saw the team win 16 out of 19 races, leaving rivals such as Red Bull and Ferrari with little chance to challenge for victories. Early indications suggested that the team would remain the benchmark in 2015, although Hakkinen cautioned that technical changes or improvements from other teams could still alter the competitive order once the season begins.
As the new season approached, attention focused on whether Rosberg could convert his qualifying speed and motivation into a championship campaign to match Hamilton’s race-winning consistency. The Mercedes team’s internal rivalry was widely expected to be the defining storyline at the sharp end of Formula One in 2015.
For more on the Hamilton–Rosberg rivalry, see Hamilton backs Rosberg to stay ahead of Schumacher at Mercedes.
