Rosberg on why Hamilton is facing a ‘very, very scary situation’

Lewis Hamilton’s troubled first season with Ferrari is ending on yet another bleak note – and Nico Rosberg warns the worst may still be ahead.

The 2016 world champion issued a stark warning to his former Mercedes teammate after Hamilton slumped to a third consecutive Q1 exit in Abu Dhabi, suggesting the seven-time champion could soon face a total collapse in confidence from both his team and an entire nation.

Hamilton, who has appeared increasingly demoralised in recent weeks, could even lose sixth place in the championship to Kimi Antonelli – the rookie who replaced him at Mercedes – trailing by just two points heading into the finale. For Ferrari fans, the symbolism could hardly be more unsettling.

Hamilton’s Silence Speaks Volumes

After Saturday night’s qualifying at Yas Marina, Hamilton could barely articulate what had gone wrong – again.

“I don’t have the words to express how I feel,” he told reporters, adding simply: “Just a little [wayward].”

When pressed on whether he had a plan to reset over the winter break, Hamilton offered nothing close to reassurance.

“I don’t know at the moment, no. Time will tell. It’s the shortest break.”

For Rosberg, the tone of Hamilton’s comments – and the lack of direction – is a major concern.

Losing the Faith of an Entire Nation

Breaking down Hamilton’s interview afterwards, Rosberg didn’t sugarcoat the crisis unfolding at the Scuderia when asked how Hamilton can regain his form.

“First of all, he’ll take some time off, but then he also needs to really get back to work,” said the German.

He went on to spell out what Hamilton must do immediately.

“Get into the simulator at Ferrari and drive that new concept car because it’s an entirely different Formula 1 car for next year, and really put in the work to prepare.”

But his warning then turned far darker – painting a picture of a driver on the brink of losing everything that once made him untouchable.

“That’s gonna be important, but it’s very scary from his point of view because soon, if it continues like that, the team will lose faith in him, and they will.”

Rosberg didn’t stop there.

“The whole of Italy may lose faith in him; that is not far away anymore, and so it’s a very, very scary situation.”

Italy is famously unforgiving when Ferrari falters – and Hamilton, once Formula 1’s ultimate benchmark, is staring down the possibility of becoming its next cautionary tale.

Unless 2026 brings immediate redemption, the pressure Rosberg describes may soon become Hamilton’s harsh new reality.

Read also: Hamilton feeling ‘a lot of anger’ after painful Q1 exit in Abu Dhabi

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