Nico Rosberg has criticised his former team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s fashion statement at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

After 12 years as a Mercedes driver, Hamilton is now set to spend the next two seasons at Ferrari. Despite securing two Grand Prix victories this year, his first since the 2021 season, it wasn’t exactly a triumphant Silver Arrows farewell for the seven-time Formula 1 champion.

He finished seventh in the drivers’ standings, trailing behind partner George Russell, as the team continued to grapple with F1’s new era of regulations. But the 39-year-old was given an emotional send-off at the team headquarters in Brackley after the season concluded.

He addressed all Mercedes employees on the microphone, expressing gratitude for their contribution to his success since joining from McLaren in 2013. But that goodbye followed what seemed to be a pointed clothing message from Hamilton at the Yas Marina Circuit.

On his first appearance at the track on Thursday, he sported an entirely white outfit, not unusual considering the range of gear he has previously worn at F1 events. But as the weekend progressed, the British icon switched to a red and white ensemble, before finally dressing entirely in red. The transition of colours appeared to symbolise his move from the white of Mercedes to the iconic colour of the Scuderia, reports the Express.

Rosberg, who had a famously fiery four-year stint with Hamilton at Mercedes between 2013 and 2016, has expressed his bewilderment over Hamilton’s actions. Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, he made clear his disapproval over sending such a message in the way that he did.

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The German said: “I see the decision as something very strange and inappropriate. It’s a shame. It’s his day and his choice, so it’s fine. They appreciate him and they still have a good relationship, but it is a small detail that makes me sad.”

Lewis Hamilton was wearing red by the Sunday, symbolising his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari (
Image:
Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Despite Hamilton’s odd timing in showing off his new team’s colours before officially leaving Mercedes, the move was taken lightly by team principal Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal. Known for his unique fashion sense, Hamilton’s choice didn’t seem to cause any real tension.

When it came time to bid farewell, Hamilton had nothing but warm wishes for his former team, saying, “You know, Mercedes has changed my life, growing up in Stevenage and dreaming of becoming world champion.

“I didn’t know there would be a huge amount of people that I’d get to work with who would be the ones to lift me up and take me on my journey. I’m always going to be wishing you the absolute best.”

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