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Rosberg clarifies 'positive' Verstappen narcissist comment

Nico Rosberg clarified his recent comments about Max Verstappen, who the 2016 world champion labelled a "narcissist" for his very high level of self-confidence.

In his most recent Beyond Victory podcast, Rosberg sat down with his former Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

On the subject of character and achievement, the German explained why in his opinion Verstappen was "like a narcissist, like you write it in the dictionary".

Asked by Sky F1 to elaborate on the comment during last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, Rosberg reiterated his view on Red Bull's star driver, but insisted he meant it in a positive way

"Actually it was on the positive side," said the former F1 driver.

"I was saying that was a very strong asset of his, because it gives you resistance in the very extreme world of Formula 1 if you really have that self-confidence and self-belief.

"I still stick with it. He has it," added Rosberg.

"Because if you mess up six times, and on the seventh time, you still end up doing the same thing and you get it right, and the whole season turns around like it did last year, you’ve got to be pretty damn self-confident."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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