Rosberg: Hamilton achievement unbelievable

Nico Rosberg has hailed Lewis Hamilton’s “unbelievable” achievement of becoming a six-time world champion.

Hamilton moved just one behind Michael Schumacher’s record haul of seven titles after a second-place finish at the US GP put him out of reach of team-mate and race winner Valtteri Bottas with two grands prix remaining in 2019.

Rosberg, the 2016 world champion and only driver to finish a season ahead of Hamilton in the hybrid era, was full of praise for his former team-mate.

“He is absolutely incredible,” Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.

“We raced each other when we were 13 and 14 years old – we were best friends, we used to go on holiday together and dream big, one day in Formula 1 fighting for championships.

“But six world championships? That’s just unbelievable.”

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Valtteri Bottas overtakes Lewis Hamilton to win the United States GP

Valtteri Bottas overtakes Lewis Hamilton to win the United States GP

Rosberg continued: “We saw all of Lewis’ class out there today. He took the strategy into his own hands and maybe did a better strategy than the team was recommending him and almost got that win.

“It was a phenomenal attempt to try and get that win. He really did fantastically, lost out a little bit to Valtteri but a completely deserved sixth title in amazing fashion.”

Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes runs until the end of next season, while he spoke in the week of wanting to be a “pioneer” heading into F1’s new rules era from 2021.

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Watch the first lap of the US GP as Lewis Hamilton went from fifth on the grid to third

Watch the first lap of the US GP as Lewis Hamilton went from fifth on the grid to third

His tally of 83 race wins is just eight behind Schumacher’s all-time record of 91, and Rosberg expects Hamilton to soon be the sport’s greatest driver.

“He’s now closing in on becoming the greatest of all-time, and who would have thought that was even possible, for someone to even reach Michael Schumacher.”

More to follow…

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