Former Mercedes Formula 1 chief Nick Fry has cast doubt on Nico Rosberg’s story of mind games Michael Schumacher played with him.
Last year, the 2016 world champion recalled an incident before qualifying in Monaco during their three years together when the legendary German intentionally locked himself in the only toilet and refused to come out until moments before the session began as Nico waited impatiently outside.
He went on to describe how Schumacher’s “warrior” mentality was something he had to learn to overcome and then how he used some of those tricks himself to gain an upper hand over Lewis Hamilton during their rivalry.
Of course, during his career, the seven-time champion was known for doing whatever it took to gain an advantage and be successful, but Fry saw things a lot differently in their time at Mercedes.
“I have no idea if that’s true, I’d be surprised if it was,” F1i.com quoted Fry as telling the Flat Chat podcast.
“People like to characterize Michael as this dastardly German who played all sorts of tricks and I can honestly say I didn’t see that.
“What I saw was someone who was very good at being a great team player. I’ve seen both sides of the coin.”Fry went on to explain how the approach he saw with Schumacher was very different from one of his former rivals.
“My introduction to Formula 1 was working with Jacques Villeneuve who seemed at that to take great delight in walking to the car with his helmet on, so he didn’t have to talk to anyone,” he revealed.
“He didn’t seem to have much of a relationship with the mechanics or even know who the hell they were, whereas Michael was at the other end of the scale.
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“He was genuinely the person who realized that in order for him to perform at the highest level he had to get everyone else to perform at the highest level,” he added.
“And that’s why he was so immensely successful over a long period of time.
“I didn’t see any particular mind games or silliness between the two drivers, in fact quite the opposite. I saw almost a fatherly approach from Michael.
“When all is said and done with Michael Schumacher, I think he’ll be on an even higher pedestal than he is in most people’s minds now.”