Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg shared an intense F1 rivalry (Image: Getty)
has jokingly banned from entering his house over the festive period despite sending his children Christmas presents every year.
Hamilton and Rosberg shared a fierce rivalry during their F1 career that pushed their relationship to the limit despite becoming close friends during their glittering karting careers. The friendship has not rekindled since the German racer’s shock retirement from the sport in 2016.
Despite the breakdown in personal relations, Hamilton continues to send gifts to the children of his former team-mate and title rival at Christmas time. Both of Rosberg’s daughters are fans of the seven-time world champion, who is preparing for his first season as a driver in 2025.
“The other weak point is probably a painful topic for you,” Rosberg was asked on the NDR Talkshow in Germany. “Both your daughters are fans?” The former man replied: “That’s true too. That’s even more than a weak point. That’s a big problem.”
His wife, Vivian, went on to confirm that the Brit provides gifts for her daughters on an annual basis. “Yes, he always gives them Barbies for Christmas,” she confirmed.
Her husband added: “No, that’s great. That’s nice of him. We kind of had an enmity. Now both children have a huge box of presents from him on their doorstep every Christmas. It’s a nice approach.”
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Lewis Hamilton is entering the next chapter of his F1 career with Ferrari (Image: Getty)
Unfortunately for the seven-time world champion, his festive generosity has not earned him the chance to enter the Rosberg household. “He has to stay outside the door,” the 2016 world champion joked. “But he’s welcome to leave the presents.”
Hamilton and Rosberg’s relationship has long been a source of intrigue for F1 fans. The German racer-turned-entrepreneur has been vocal in vouching for his former team-mate’s talent in recent seasons, but one-to-one interviews on Sky Sports F1 have appeared awkward.
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“It happened immediately when we were fighting for the World Championship, not before,” the 39-year-old previously told Eurosport. “But that’s always the case. When you’re fighting for success in every race and for titles, it doesn’t work anymore.
“It was a build-up from one race to the next. If you want to decide the world championship for yourself, you can’t play ‘love, peace and harmony’. You have to test limits and go into grey areas to win, especially when two drivers are at such a high level. Then it often gets tight.”