Nico Rosberg believes a collision point is coming in the title fight between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. The two drivers have managed to avoid contact with one another when they have traded places during the opening rounds of the 2022 F1 season. At all four races so far, Leclerc and Verstappen have found themselves running in first and second, often swapping positions. But Rosberg – who memorably collided with then-teammate Lewis Hamilton during their battle for the championship in 2016 – believes it is only a matter of time before things "get feisty" out front.
Rosberg: Leclerc vs Verstappen has been fantastic for F1
For the first time this season, one of the two drivers has now been accused of cracking under the pressure of the title fight. Leclerc's spin at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, on Ferrari's home soil, saw him drop from a potential second-place finish to sixth, conceding big points in the process. That allowed Verstappen to close in further on his main rival, on a weekend that saw the Red Bull driver take home a maximum 34 points. "For the sport, it's been fantastic because it's mixed things up, and we see this new battle now, with Charles Leclerc against Max Verstappen," Rosberg said, speaking to Sky Sports F1 . "I think they're kicking off where we finished last year, except it's not Max against Lewis; it's now Verstappen against Leclerc, and the battle is equally as enjoyable."
Rosberg predicts battle at the front to turn feisty
Unlike last season, the current duel at the front of the F1 grid is yet to see the two title protagonists collide. The relationship between their two teams has also remained civil, with key figures on both sides of the divide offering only compliments to one another. Rosberg does not see it staying this way, though. "It's not as fiery yet but, believe me, if they keep at it like that, there will come a point where they will be touching, colliding and things will get a bit more feisty," said an adamant Rosberg. "I'm looking forward to that."
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