Nico Rosberg believes that Lewis Hamilton's status as "the best of all time" puts into perspective his defeat of the seven-time world champion in 2016 and his own success in F1.
Since 2014 and the advent of the hybrid era in F1, Mercedes sovereignty in the sport has been unstoppable. Hamilton's reign has been equally dominant in the past seven seasons save for 2016 when the Briton was beaten to the title by Rosberg.
But the German driver had given it his all to finally overthrow his Mercedes teammate and promptly walked away from the sport just weeks after his crowning, while Hamilton raced on to add four more titles to his outstanding track record.
Rosberg believes his former nemesis' record success only highlights his own achievement against a driver now considered as the sport's "best of all time".
"I knew how good he was," Rosberg said in an interview with Germany's Augsburger Allgemeine.
"For the outside world it is now a confirmation that he is the best of all time, even by titles. That I beat him in the same car gives me extra confirmation of my success."
Looking ahead to the 2021 season, Rosberg unsurprisingly sees Hamilton continuing his domination, albeit with Red Bull's Max Verstappen snapping at his heels, while the German all but dismisses Valtteri Bottas' opposition.
"He has incredible talent and the best car," said Rosberg.
"The only one who can get a little closer is Max Verstappen. Maybe his new team-mate Sergio Perez too, if the Red Bull car is going well.
"Otherwise his Mercedes colleague Valtteri Bottas. But with him, the chances dwindle with every year he doesn’t make it."
As for Sebastian Vettel's revival with Aston Martin, Rosberg believes the four-time world champion remains "one of the best" and can turn around his fortunes with Team Silverstone.
"Sebastian needed a change," he said. "He was in a negative spiral at Ferrari, which was not a nice experience in the end.
"I am happy that he has now found a new opportunity. At Aston Martin he will be the hero again and will be celebrated.
"With a success he can be the same again. He’s still one of the best of all time."
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