Nico Rosberg has admitted to being surprised when he met Russia's controversial president Vladimir Putin after the race in Sochi. As the drivers prepared for the podium ceremony, Putin and his translator spoke separately with Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and race winner Rosberg.
"He congratulated me," Rosberg said, "but I was a little surprised that he did not speak German with me. He can actually speak German quite well, right?" the Mercedes driver told Bild newspaper. Indeed, the report claims Putin spent five years working as a KGB agent in Dresden, and still regularly reads German-language newspapers. (GMM)
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Why would Putin speak german with him? Even if Rosberg is german and someone knows german it doesnt mean they'll speak that language with him. I could understand if it was english, since it is an international language, but german? But then again, Putin rarely speak directly with people anyway.
Freguz
Posts: 160
I think if you want to talk to and salute the winner of a sports event, and you also speak the same language as the winner, it is good manners then to speak that language when talking to the winner. It would have been great if Rosberg had answered in german, and Putin just by reflex continued in german :)
Wolfgang
Posts: 313
absolutely. i see it like freguz..
And i heard putin talking german, this is nearly perfect..