Rosberg makes astonishing F1 ranking judgment of Hamilton

Nico Rosberg has labelled former Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton as the greatest driver in the history of the sport.

Hamilton took part in his final race for Mercedes on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, closing the curtain on a historic driver-team partnership.

The Briton spent 12 seasons as part of the Brackley-based squad, four of which he drove alongside Rosberg, who retired from the sport in 2016 after beating Hamilton to the title.

Hamilton's last race in Mercedes colours saw him line up near the back of the grid following a disastrous qualifying.

However, he made progress through the race and overtook team-mate George Russell around the outside of Turn 9 on the final lap.

The move was hailed by Rosberg, who outlined Hamilton's drive as further evidence he is deserving of the sport's greatest-ever driver label.

“The way he drove was the drive of a seven-time world champion, greatest of all time because that race speed again,” Rosberg told Sky F1.

“He passed George at the end and George started right towards the front and Lewis started at the back. It was a phenomenal drive by Lewis."

Rosberg emotional watching Hamilton farewell

Hamilton will make the switch to Ferrari next year and partner Charles Leclerc as he embarks on a new career chapter.

The 39-year-old's association with Mercedes stretches further back than his 2013 move to the works team, as he spent several seasons with the Mercedes-powered McLaren squad and won a title in 2008.

Rosberg, who has known Hamilton since their karting days, admitted it was an emotional weekend for him to watch his former rival exit the Mercedes organisation.

“Even for me, it's emotional to watch this, because of course, I witnessed it from so close, and it's the greatest partnership in Formula 1 history,” he said.

"It's crazy that it's coming to an end, and for him also, he's been with the Mercedes family for 30 years almost.

"And again, I was there. We started racing with each other when we were 12 years old, so I was there from the very beginning, which even gives me goosebumps now just thinking about the whole thing."