Like father like son - congratulations Nico Rosberg
11/29/2016
After Graham and Damon Hill, the Rosberg family finally has two world championship titles in the bag. Both family world champions are linked by the number 34, as exactly 34 years passed between the two generational double titles.
Like his father Keke in 1982, Nico clinched the title with fewer wins than his opponent. Nico lost to Hamilton by 10 to 9 and Keke even managed it with just a single race win. His opponents Prost, Lauda, Pironi, Watson and Arnoux. They all had two Grand Prix victories each. It was a different time.
Keke drove a total of 114 GPs, taking 5 wins, 17 podiums, 5 pole positions and 3 fastest race laps.
Nico has so far achieved 23 wins, 57 podiums, 30 poles and 20 fastest race laps in 206 starts. These figures are impressive.
Even if Lewis Hamilton is considered the stronger driver, Nico's success is doubly impressive. Hamilton would probably have won without the engine failure in Malaysia, but Nico did not lose his nerve and drove home the last race without any mistakes. Hamilton tried to do the impossible in Abu Dhabi by slowing down and spreading out, only to deliberately bring Vettel and Verstappen close to Rosberg. Actually, Nico should have waved Vettel past to sic him on Hamilton, but Sebastian probably seemed to be the more comfortable back-up than Verstappen.
No matter and without any ifs or buts, Nico did it and we congratulate him warmly. And as fathers, we are also happy for Keke, who is certainly very proud of his progenitor.
